Kaleidoscope effect

Nativity Christmas brooch of gold and silver tone. 4.5 cm. 1980s. Signed MJ vintage costume jewelry

Signed MJ vintage costume jewelry
Most likely, the initials MJ stand for Marie Jennifer, an owner of the company that produced costume jewelry from 1978 to 1999 in Providence, RI.
Traditionally, MJ craftsmen made decorations from alloys of silver or gold tone metals, possibly plated with gold or silver, but never made from silver or gold. And there are no markings indicating silver or gold on jewelry. Moreover, very often this is a combination of two alloys in one piece. There is one more feature of the jewelry of this company – many decorations can be used both as brooches and pendants. Also, the jewelers of this company often used multi-colored enamels and rarely used stones. The motifs include traditional American holidays – Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and classic designs. Vintage costume jewelry of this brand, which operated during the 1970-1990s is collectible.
Noteworthy, there are several companies in the vintage jewelry market that sign their products with two letters MJ. However, the marking on the back of the products, which consists of only two letters, nevertheless differs from the markings of the same name from other manufacturers. In particular, the markings of the decorations highlighted in this publication are two capital letters inside a rectangular frame. In addition, both letters are capitalized and printed. While the marking of products from other manufacturers is either without a frame, or j is small, or in capital, but without an upper dash.

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Thistle flower pewter rhinestone brooch. St Justin Cornwall SJC vintage costume jewelry

St Justin Cornwall SJC vintage costume jewelry

The history of the British jewelry company SJC began in 1984 in Cornwall, in the southwest of Britain. Its founder, Jeremy Gilbert, has already had experience in gold mines in South Africa, a copper mine in Australia and tin mines in Cornwall. However, his love for art, knowledge of metallurgy and a desire to master the intricacies of jewelry production, led to the creation of his own business. The name of the company Saint Justin comes from the name of the local community. Initially a family business, the company gradually expanded and sold its products not only in Britain but throughout the world. At the moment, there are 28 people on the staff, many of whom have almost 30 years of experience in this company.
Traditionally, all products are made by hand, mostly from pewter. Also, the main design of the products is Celtic patterns embodied in exquisite brooches, pendants and pins. All products have marking SJC on the back
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American flag patriotic charm pendant. 925 sterling silver. Signed SJC vintage costume jewelry

Signed SJC vintage costume jewelry
Located in the heart of the Southwest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sundance Jewelry Company Inc. began its activity in 1973. However, they registered their official trademark SJC only in 1992. The company officially ceased to exist 20 September 2003, but continued producing jewelry for a short period. Traditionally, the designers of Sundancer’s manufactured in-house handcrafted pieces with the use of 925 sterling silver, 14 K gold and natural stones. Specializing primarily in a large Southwestern-style line, they gave much attention to each exquisite detail. Also, all pieces have a distinctive marking SJC in the rays representing the sun.
According to the information on their website (not available now), the company was the originator of so-called “liquid silver”. In particular, tiny tubes of sterling silver that create a fluid look when strung together. Now it is a characteristic feature of Southwestern and Native American Jewelry.
Noteworthy, there are companies of the same name on the vintage jewelry market, but they differ in style and materials. For example, an English company that labels its products SJC (an abbreviation for St Justin Cornwall) creates pewter jewelry in the Celtic style. Another American company of the same name, also SJC-branded (but not framed in the sun), creates traditional jewelry using enamels.
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Lily flower gold tone brooch. 1980s. Signed AAI vintage costume jewelry

Signed AAI vintage costume jewelry
The history of American corporation “Accessories Associates Inc.” began in 1962 in the jewelry capital of the United States – North Providence, Rhode Island. Originally, AAI was named Femic and was the first of thirteen jewelry brands registered by Accessories Associates Inc. in different years. In particular, Femic (1971), Exclusively Kenco (last filed 1981), So Chick! (1990), Sensitive Touch (1991), Solar Accents (1992), American Woman (1992), Frenzi (1993), Adrienne Picard (1993), Young Expressions (1994), Young Fashions (1995), Friend To Friend (1995), Special Moments and Anderson & Barnes (1995).
In 1987, the owners of the corporation renamed Femic into AAI, which was a symbolic abbreviation for Accessories Associates Inc. Noteworthy, today the status of Accessories Associates Inc. – cancelled, as the company ceased to exist on July 20, 2002.
If we talk about vintage jewelry marked with AAI, these are often seasonal, especially Christmas decorations with images of Santa Claus, snowmen, reindeers, Christmas trees, embodied in brooches and pendants. Traditionally, the craftsmen of this company used jewelry alloys of gold and silver tones, rhinestones, artificial pearls, crystals and enamel.
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Horse head brooch pendant. Handcrafted, 925 Sterling silver, brass. Signed Full Circle vintage costume jewelry

Full Circle vintage costume jewelry
The history of the American jewelry trademark Full Circle covers the period of no more than a decade, 1980-1990s. Traditionally, all jewelry was handcrafted, hand casted, polished and marked on the back with “Full circle 925” with a copyright sign. Noteworthy, the jewelers of this company used two metals in the manufacture of one piece – 925 sterling silver with minimal brass accents. Also, most jewelry decorations can be worn as either a pendant or a brooch. Unfortunately, there is no information about the company, its location and its owner.
According to my research, there is a modern company of the same name. However, this is a completely different company that manufactures different in style and materials decorations.
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Squirrel brooch. Textured pewter. 1980s. Signed AR Brown vintage pewter jewelry

Signed AR Brown vintage pewter jewelry
The family jewellery company of father A. R. Brown and his son Terry S. Brown, based in Chellaston, Derby, England, began in 1986. However, its founder, sculptor, artist and jewelry designer A. Brown, created jewelry long before he gave the company his name. All products are designed, manufactured and sculpted by hand using 100% English pewter. Noteworthy, jewelry design includes anatomically realistic images of animals and birds, embodied in lapel pins, brooches, pendants and keyrings. Marked on the reverse, AR Brown jewelry that has become famous all over the world, is undoubtedly collectible.
Currently, the main designer of the company is Terry Brown, the son of the founder, who has absorbed a love for animals, sculpture and jewelry since childhood. Accordingly, the TS Brown marking appeared on the products. Both markings A.R, or T.R. Brown mean high quality, real class and detail, and belonging to the most respected pewter manufacturing names in the world.
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Art Deco woman with mirror gold and silver tone round shaped brooch. 1980s. Signed Tona vintage costume jewelry

Signed Tona vintage costume jewelry
Located at 182 Butler Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island jewelry company Tona Inc. was registered more than 40 years ago, 21 April 1980. The company ceased to exist 13 February 2015, according to official records. Its owner and president, Anthony E. Angeli (born 1939), has already had rich experience in jewelry design and business long before the founding of Tona.
Anthony began his jewelry career in 1956. First, he worked as an assistant of Helen Marian, the head designer of Vendome jewelry line, creating costume jewelry for Coro Inc. In addition, he studied the art of jewelry making at Rhode Island School of Design and model making courses. After training, he left Vendome, although he maintained a close relationship with Helen Marian until her death.
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