Jewellery Kaleidoscope

Cat figural brooch of gold tone, green glass eyes. Signed Ultra vintage costume jewelry

Signed Ultra vintage costume jewelry
The history of the Ultra costume jewelry brand, launched by Ro-An Inc, began in 1976 in northern Providence, Rhode Island. However, the jewelry manufacturing company Ro-An Inc began operations back in 1953 in Taunton, Massachusetts. In 1967, Ro-An Inc was incorporated in Johnston, Rhode Island.

It was a highly successful multi-million dollar company that sold its jewelry both domestically and internationally. The president of the company, which employed approximately 200 people, was Anthony R. Spagnole, and the general manager was Daniel DeBarros.
Ro-An Inc produced Ultra-labeled costume jewelry for about ten years, from 1976 to 1985, although the company itself ceased to exist only in 2004. Handmade Ultra marked jewelry is extremely rare and highly collectible.
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Bat in Flight with the Man in the moon sterling silver brooch. 1900. Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry

Unger Brothers sterling silver jewelry (1881-1911)
The history of the Unger Brothers firm located in Newark, New Jersey began in 1870 and lasted four decades. However, the brothers initially worked separately as engravers in Unger & Keen Jewelers (1871 – 1874) and gold jewelry firm H. Unger & Co. (1878-1880). Noteworthy, in 1879, three of the five brothers (William, George and Frederick) died, leaving the family business to Herman and Eugene.

In fact, the firm of Unger Brothers (Eugene and Herman) appeared only in 1881, listed in “Manufacturing Jewelers” catalog. The president of the company became Herman Unger, Edward P. Beach was vice-president and treasurer, while Eugene Unger was a member of the firm. “Unger Brothers, Jewelers, Manufacturing Silversmiths and Glass Cutters” had a showroom in New York (closed in 1897).

According to their advertisements in the 1900s Jewelers’ Circulars, “We make everything in Sterling Silver”. Indeed, they made everything – bowls, pitchers, perfume bottles, powder boxes, vases, spoon handles, mirrors, brushes, belt buckles, and jewelry. The company also did their own glass cutting. The patterns on their Art Nouveau designs included women’s heads, birds, and various flowers – wild rose, poppy, daffodil, hibiscus, daisies, water lilies, and sweet peas.
The maker’s mark was the stylized “UB” monogram with sterling 925 added around a circle rim.

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Abstract floral design oval brooch pin and pierced post earrings. Copper, enamel. Signed Inga vintage enameled jewelry

Signed Inga vintage enameled jewelry
Incorporated in 1978 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, Inga Enamels inc was a family business founded by Evelyn M. Carlson and her husband Stanley P. Carlson. Soon their son, Paul William Carlson April (7, 1952 – May 22, 2023) after graduating from college in Massachusetts joined the family business. He was initially responsible for polishing, finishing and logistics, and soon became president of the company. His wife Cheryl Carlson also worked for the company.
However, Evelyn and Stanley Carlson began creating unique jewelry labeled Inga back in the 1950s in Massachusetts. Their companies, Crafts by Inga and Inga Inc, created handmade jewelry from copper and enamel and sold it throughout the country, participating in art exhibitions and fairs.
The markings of jewelry created by three generations of the Carlson family invariably included the word Inga. Inga Enamels inc ceased to exist in 2015.
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Rhinestones, mother-of-pearl, glass gold tone brooch pin. Anda Modes vintage costume jewelry

Anda Modes vintage costume jewelry (1953-1981)

The history of the Anda Modes costume jewelry brand began in December 1953 in New York, New York. The founder and owner of the family business Anda Modes Inc was Manhattan native Samuel D Pressman (1905-1988). The company ceased to exist in September 1981.

The company’s craftsmen created high-quality brooches using metal alloys of gold and silver tones, art glass imitating natural stones, artificial pearls, crystals and rhinestones. Costume jewelry made in a classic, often floral design with an abundance of rhinestones, glass and crystals looks elegant and expensive.
It is noteworthy that from the very beginning of its foundation, the company participated in exhibitions on style and design held in New York. Thus, according to the 1958 and 1959 “The Allied Shoe Products Show” directory the company is listed as a leading manufacturer of shoe ornaments.

The maker’s mark on the back includes “Anda Modes” and “New York” on an oval cartouche.
Today, jewelry from this brand is extremely rare and has collectible value.
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Double Face gold tone rhinestone brooch pin. Signed Diva vintage costume jewelry

Signed Diva vintage costume jewelry (1982-1991)
The history of the Diva costume jewelry trademark began in December 1982 and lasted for a short period of less than a decade. Headquartered at 666 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, Diva Fantasy Designs Inc ceased to exist in May 1991.

The company made Modernist, Art Deco, etruscan inspired, and geometric design fashion jewelry. The designers used high quality materials, including metal alloys, multicolor lucite, glass cabochons imitating natural stones, baguette and Aurora Borealis rhinestones. The maker’s mark includes stylized word “Diva” inside a rectangle frame, and without a copyright sign.

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Rome Paris London luggage shape gold tone brooch pin. Signed REN vintage costume jewelry

Signed REN vintage costume jewelry (1991-2003)

The “REN.” costume jewelry brand began in 1990 in Massachusetts as one of the trademarks owned by Spoontiques Inc., based in Stoughton, Massachusetts. Manufacturer’s brand “Ren.” is a shortened name for Renata K., a jewelry designer who worked for the company in the 1990s. Renata created unique artistic pins using pewter, metals alloys and enamel.

Notably, other jewelry designers who collaborated with Spoontiques included Jonette Jewelry (1980s), who created similar designs. Accordingly, these products have both marks – “JJ” and “Spoontiques”.

Over its 50-year history, Spoontiques has launched such brands as “Gift Today, Treasure Tomorrow” (1991-2016), “Lifestyle etc. by Renata K.” (1991-2003), and Pin Art (2002-2013). Due to bankruptcy in 2016, Spoontiques, Inc ceased to exist. However, in 2018, Kenneth Sawyer acquired Spoontiques, Inc. and became the owner and president of the renewed company. Today, Spoontiques is a renowned wholesale gift company that offers home decoration, kitchen and tabletop items, jewelry, garden and home decor.
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Dragonfly brooch. Gold tone, purple and blue enamel. Signed Skye vintage costume jewelry

Signed Skye vintage costume jewelry (1984-2004)
The history of the Skye costume jewelry trademark began in 1984 in the city of Hawthorne of Westchester county, New York. The trademark was one of several jewelry trademarks founded by M.W. Samara, Inc. Among them, in particular, were Samara (1975), M.W.S. (1976), Isle of Skye (1984), Waterfall (1984), and some more.

Mark Wasserman, founder and president of M.W. Samara, Inc since 1972, made his company a leader in the sterling silver business. Some years later the company expanded the spectrum of jewelry, which included manufacture of cloisonne enamel gold tone costume jewelry.
In 2008 Haskell Jewels costume jewelry company purchased M.W. Samara, Inc, but M.W. Samara, Inc. continued to operate under the same name.
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