Kaleidoscope effect

Tribal motif dangling brooch inspired by travel to India. Mixed metals, plastic. 8 cm. 1990s. John Michael Richardson vintage costume jewelry

John Michael Richardson vintage costume jewelry

The history of the John Michael Richardson brand began in New York City, when a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Art (1976) decided to create jewelry. Sold in boutiques, his jewelry became popular, and in 1984 he founded John Michael Richards Jewelry Incorporated.
An award winning jewelry designer, Richardson uses authentic elements of vintage oriental jewelry, skillfully combining them with modern materials. The variety of materials is amazing – from wood and gold to velvet and mother-of pearl. Every time he travels the world he discovers new elements for his accessories, and draws on the traditional crafts of each particular country.
Inspired by travels to India, China, Greece, Israel, Thailand, and other countries, Richardson has created several collections in his factory in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Among them are Decorative Items, Antique Thais, Temple by Moonlight, Arabian Nights, Beyond the Earth, Royal Thais, and many other collections. In addition, the jeweler transmits his messages on a card to which the jewelry is attached.

Read more »

Moon goddess pendant. Bronze. 5 cm. 1980s. Kalevala Koru vintage scandinavian jewelry

Kalevala Koru vintage scandinavian jewelry
The history of the famous Finnish jewelry brand Kalevala Koru began in 1935 in Helsinki. Its founder was the Finnish writer Elsa Matilda Heporauta (August 31, 1883 – May 7, 1960). In 1935 she moved to Helsinki and, inspired by the 100th anniversary of the Kalevala, founded the Kalevala Women’s Memorial Association and Kalevala Koru jewelry company. She was president of the company from 1935 to 1946. Noteworthy, it was Frithjof Germund Paaer (1881 – 1950), who created first designs for the company and worked there as chief designer until his death. Based on ancient findings, his jewelry pieces were mostly buckles.
In 1939, Heporauta took her jewelry to the New York World’s Fair in America. Also, she gave gold pendant as a gift to Eleanor Roosevelt, during their meeting in the White House.
Initially, Kalevala Koru made jewelry based on archaeological finds from the Viking Age kept in the National Museum. In addition to adapting antique jewelry, since the late 1940s, the company has created unique jewelry, interpreting the natural, cultural and social phenomena of its time.
Speaking of the jewelry company Kalevala Koru, one cannot but mention the silversmith Pentti Sarpaneva, who created many designs for this company in the mid-1960s. Pentti Sarpaneva (June 4, 1925 – July 10, 1978) created relief-like, Byzantine-style bronze and silver jewelry for the company.
The company Kalevala Koru is the largest in its field in Finland and one of the largest in the Nordic countries. According to a 2015 survey, it was ranked 11th among the most respected brands in Finland.
Read more »

Angels and roses heart shaped brooch. Gold tone, enamel, lucite, rhinestones. 1980s. Kerissa vintage costume jewelry

Signed Kerissa vintage costume jewelry
The history of the American jewelry brand Kerissa began in 1982, when Marcus A Senerchia (1922-2004) founded his family business, Marc & Sal, Inc. Noteworthy, he began using an alternative trade name – Kerissa Creations Inc. only in 1985. Located at 15 Lark Industrial Parkway, Greenville, Providence, Rhode Island, the company employed more than forty people. The business was successful and in two decades he registered three more jewelry brands. In particular, Harvest Moon Designs (1997-2004), Angels Sent From Above (2001-2002) and Karma Beads (1999-2000).

Traditionally, Kerissa craftsmen made beautiful jewelry from alloys of various metals – copper, bronze, aluminum, pewter, silver and gold. Also, lucite, multi-colored enamels and rhinestones. Handcrafted mainly in the 1980s and 90s, each brooch, pin, or pendant is labeled “Kerissa” with a copyright mark.

After Marcus retired, his son Marcus A. Senerchia Jr. became the president of the company. He also registered the Sara Bella jewelry trademark (2013-2017).
The luxury goods and jewelry company Kerissa Creations Inc ceased to exist in 2019 due to bankruptcy.
Read more »

Frog brooch. 925 sterling silver, green enamel, rhinestones. 1990s. Jenna Nicole vintage costume jewelry

Jenna Nicole vintage costume jewelry
The biography of designer Jenna Nicole and the history of this jewelry brand is a mystery. And this is unfair, since these high craftsmanship filigree jewelry pieces showcasing talent and craftsmanship are worthy of knowing their creator. According to sources, Nicole worked for several years (from 1978 to 1987) as a designer for Murray Shapiro’s company, known as Heirloom 73, and later Vintage Creations.
Traditionally, she created exquisite Art Deco jewelry – brooches, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings using sterling silver, gold, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals. These pieces were labeled Jenna Nicole, sterling, and Heirloom 73 (stylized H with 7 and 3 inside). Noteworthy, in October 1987, she launched her family business, registering the Jenna Nicole Collection Ltd. Inc. jewelry company. She sold her jewelry at luxury supermarkets such as Saks Fifth Avenue in New York.
Jenna Nicole stopped making jewelry in the early 2000s and her website is no longer available.
Read more »

Yves Saint Laurent for Avon. Van Gogh Sunflowers vintage brooch. Gold tone, enamel. 7.5 cm. 1970s. Symbolic Sunflower vintage costume jewelry

Symbolic Sunflower vintage costume jewelry

Van Gogh created 11 paintings with sunflowers, and they are the ones that inspire designers to create jewelry with sunflowers. First, Van Gogh created 4 still lifes with plucked sunflowers. He painted them in Paris in 1887. And the very famous sunflowers in a clay vase were painted by Van Gogh a year later in the city of Arles in the south of France. Noteworthy, his painting “Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers” (1888) entered the list of the 25 most expensive paintings in the world ($ 74.5 million).
Undoubtedly, it was this painting that inspired Yves Saint Laurent to create this brooch for AVON. It is filled with colors and cheerfulness. Just like in Arles, where Van Gogh came for the sun and bright colors. Created in 1994, the jewelry collection inspires with vibrant rich enamels and matte gold.
Although the native land of the sunflower is North America, where the indigenous population used the flower only for food, the sunflower also has a special place in Asia. According to belief, sunflower removes radiation from the soil, that’s why the Japanese plant sunflowers in their fields. Thus, in the Land of the Rising Sun, the sunflower has become a symbol of hope.

Read more »

Snail brooch pin. Gold tone textured metal, caramel lucite, faux pearl, topaz gemstone eye. 1960s. Signed Fuller vintage costume jewelry

Signed Fuller vintage costume jewelry
The history of one of the oldest American jewelry companies Fuller Brush Co began over a hundred years ago, in 1906. The successful company, based in Hartford, Connecticut, is still in business today. Its founder, a successful Canadian-born businessman Alfred Carl Fuller (January 13, 1885 – December 4, 1973), managed to turn his small family business into a multimillion-dollar corporation.
Initially, along with jewelry, Fuller Brush Co produced commemorative, award and anniversary badges. Today the company manufactures a wide range of products, from cleaning and personal care products to vitamins and kitchen utensils.
In fact, the production of costume jewelry ceased in the 1990s. After the death of Alfred Fuller, the company has registered more than 80 trade marks, including two jewelry ones. However, both of these trademarks – Quality That Shows (1981-1989) and Fuller Fashion (1982-1991) are no longer active.
Read more »

Bow design scarf clip. Bronze tone textured metal, art glass. 1960s. Signed Jeri-Lou vintage costume jewelry

Signed Jeri-Lou vintage costume jewelry
The history of the jewelry company Jeri Lou Creations Inc., located in Johnston, Rhode Island, began in 1958. Initially, it was a family business of Gennaro N. Colagiovanni (born 1935) and his wife Doris. Handcrafting exquisite jewelry, mostly scarf clips, the company’s craftsmen used alloys of various metals, creating beautiful textures and filigree designs. In addition to alloys, they used bronze, pewter, gilding and silvering, as well as onyx, faux pearls, crystals and glass imitating precious stones. Traditionally, the marking on the back side of each item includes “Jeri-Lou”.
Noteworthy, after Gennaro N. Colagiovanni retired in 2000, his son David G. Colagiovanni became president of the renewed company (June 30, 2000). According to sources, the company ceased to exist in 2018.
Read more »