Kaleidoscope effect

Cat brooch-pin. Metal alloy, rhinestones, crystals. 4 cm. Signed Pell vintage costume jewelry

Signed Pell vintage costume jewelry
The history of Pell brand began in Long Island City, NY founded by four brothers Joseph, Anthony, Alfred and William Gaita in 1941. The Pell company began producing a wide range of jewelry, mostly silver plated. Noteworthy, Pell Jewelry Co. designed jewelry for Disney Productions and the Miss America competition. Also, the company participated in the production of Coro jewelry. Since 1955, a copyright label has appeared on the Pell jewelry label.
Founded by the Gaita brothers, Pell Jewelry Co. is still in business as of 2006, thanks to the youngest of brothers – Alfred Gaita. Making only the best quality products that have been developed over the years, Pell jewelry is very popular among lovers of costume jewelry.
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Sunflower brooch, large 14 cm, made of jewelry alloy and lucite. St John SJ costume jewelry

St John SJ costume jewelry
Founded in 1962 by spouses Mary and Robert Gray, St. John (St. John Knits International Inc.) is a popular American luxury women’s knitwear brand. Based in Southern California, USA, the company began manufacturing costume jewelry in the early 1980s.
First, “St. John” opened a jewelry workshop and created branded buttons with the famous monogram of the brand “SJ”. In addition, they started to produce jewelry – brooches, bracelets, necklaces, belts with charms, as well as the famous and always recognizable clips-buttons.
Their line of jewelry, marked “St. John”, or SJ, as well as clothing, designed in the classical style, was mainly in black and white tones. Creating their jewelry, masters used high-quality matte and glossy metals, 24-carat gold plating, as well as rhodium plating. Also, Austrian Swarovski crystals and artificial pearls.
Noteworthy, high-quality enamels, which cover the “St. John” ornaments and buttons, do not have cracks even after 25 years of use (!). Jewelry lovers and collectors of vintage costume jewelry appreciate St John decorations.
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Fallen Leaf brooch. Rhinestones, gold tone. Celebrity NY vintage costume jewelry

Celebrity NY vintage costume jewelry
The American jewelry brand Celebrity N.Y. existed for a short period of time, from the mid-1950s to early 1970s. Celebrity designers created bright jewelry, usually choosing rhinestones imitating natural stones: amethyst, emerald and ruby. As well as beads, almost indistinguishable from real pearls.
Noteworthy, craftsmen manually inserted rhinestones and faux pearls into intricate metal frames.
Like the owners of the Sarah Coventry and Emmons brands, Celebrity did not open boutiques. They distributed jewelry only at fashion parties, access to which was not for all. Thus, the company fueled interest in their “exclusive” jewelry, and secondly, could keep reasonable prices for products.
Celebrity produced bijoux in the early 1970s. Apparently, the owners of the company tried to confront the impending crisis. They even began to advertise their jewelry in fashion magazines, but it did not bring success due to the general decline in interest in costume jewelry in the 1970s.
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New York Skyline Marcasite Pin Brooch in Sterling Silver. Judith Jack JJ vintage costume jewelry

Judith Jack JJ vintage costume jewelry
The history of Judith Jack Inc. began in New York founded by Judith and Jack Rosenberg. Incorporated in 1976, Judith Jack Inc. ceased to exist in 1991.
Since the very first day the craftsmen used semi-precious stones, natural pearls, silver, and marcasites of special cut. Traditionally laconic design included strict geometric shapes, and sustained color range.
Also, JJ masters made particular attention to the polishing, the smallest silver bead-filigree frames and contour ornaments. For 15 years of the company’s existence, JJ has gained recognition of a huge number of jewelry lovers.
Noteworthy, since 1992 the renewed Judith Jack trademark belongs to Premier Brands IP LLC.
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Antique flower brooch. Gold filled, faux pearl. Amco vintage costume jewelry

Amco vintage costume jewelry
A. Micallef and Company (AMCO) was founded in Providence, RI, the USA in 1919. However, the signature “AMCO” first appeared on jewelry in 1935. The company produced costume jewellery of amazing beauty made of gold, or gold filled and silver products: rings, cameos, brooches, pendants, bracelets, and earrings. Traditionally, AMCO jewelry has a stunning design, and is of high quality, comparable to such brands as Van Dell and Krementz. The company ceased to exist in the 1970s, so now these vintage items are of high value and continue to grow in value.
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Pansy Flower brooch. Silver, gilding, central decorative oval – guilloche enamel. 3.5 cm. Late XIX century. Norwegian Art Nouveau – Marius Hammer jewelry

Norwegian Art Nouveau – Marius Hammer jewelry
Marius Hammer was one of the rather famous masters of the Scandinavian Art Nouveau. He lived in Bergen and belonged to a family of hereditary Norwegian jewelers, many generations of which have preserved the traditions of northern goldsmithing.
However, Marius himself, whose life years (1847 – 1927) occurred in a turbulently innovative period in decorative and applied art, experimented with traditional and new styles. Therefore, his decorations have a unique author’s look. Undoubtedly modern, Hammer style is radically different from the typical Scandinavian modern style, with its simple lines and cool range of enamels. Marius usually filled the simple and symmetrical outer contour of the frame with filigree and additional decorative elements.
In his jewelry, he used the motifs of traditional Viking ornaments, but creatively transformed them. At the same time, he managed to preserve the harmony of the ornament in his transformations. Undoubtedly, this testifies the master’s great talent and impressive knowledge in jewelry.
Successful during his lifetime, the company was unable to continue its activities after the death of Marius Hummer.
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Autumn leaf. Garnets, diamonds, sapphire. Japanese jewellery brand Gimel

Japanese jewellery brand Gimel
Talented Japanese designer Kaoru Kay Akihara founded her firm “Gimel” in 1992. She received an excellent education in jewelry design and painting. In addition, she studied the traditional Japanese art of ikebana and the laws of the tea ceremony. The latter clearly had an impact on the design of products of the firm “Gimel”.
According to Kaoru Kay Akihara, “history should be behind the decoration”. Therefore, many of her works include tiny details, for example, a small snail crawling on the inside of the brooch leaf. Thanks to such details, Gimel products are unique and very special.
Japan’s natural beauty is a source of inspiration for Gimel masters. Noteworthy, Akihara herself selects the smallest pebbles, because paints and shades are very important for her. Thus, she tries to capture the beauty of nature at its best moments, while the fire of life burns in it. The jeweler uses gems as a palette.
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