Kaleidoscope effect

Holly leaves and berries pewter tone brooch. 1978. Amway Artistry vintage costume jewelry

Amway Artistry vintage costume jewelry
American Way, or Amway Corporation began its history in 1959, founded by Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos in Michigan. Among 538 trademarks owned by Amway Corporation (since 1962), only three trademarks produced costume jewelry – Amway (1978-2001), Artistry (1978-2000) and Natural Accents (1998-2007). Also, there was “Peter Island” company which produced key chains, pins and buttons. Noteworthy, only “Natural accents” produced jewelry with the use of precious metals, semi-precious stones, coral and pearls.
Branded Amway, or Artistry (its division) costume jewelry appeared fifty years ago, in the 1970s. However, in 2001 the status of these trademarks changed to “cancelled”. Traditionally, this is a simple handcrafted geometric, heart or floral design, and with the use of metal alloys of gold, pewter or silver tone. Sometimes company’s craftsmen used silvering and gold plating, as well as rhinestones, faux pearls, art glass and enamel.
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Butler and Wilson Pierrot Art Deco brooch. Vintage costume jewelry from galalith

Vintage costume jewelry from galalith
The word “galalith” comes from the Greek words “gala” (milk) and “lithos” (stone). Invented in 1893 by French chemist Auguste Trillat, galalith, or so-called French Bakelite, had remarkable properties. In particular, it was non-combustible, unlike celluloid, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. Also, it did not generate static electricity, not allergenic, and at the same time was durable and decorative.
Therefore, it was perfect material for the manufacture of buttons, combs, handles, umbrella handles, and jewelry
Noteworthy, the first massive production began in 1914 in Gloucestershire, England. Some other countries also produced similar material. Among them – Germany, the USA, the USSR and Japan. However, this plastic became widespread only in Europe.
During the Second World War, milk, like other food products, became strategically important, and the production of galalith reduced. Besides, the triumphal procession of lucite began, which was cheaper to manufacture.
Galalith jewelry is now rare and has collectible value. Noteworthy, the name “French Bakelite” is only a figure of speech and galalith is not Bakelite.
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Apple brooch. Gold tone, glowing red enamel. 5.5 cm. 1990s. Covani vintage costume jewelry

Covani vintage costume jewelry
The history of Montreal Canada based jewelry company Covani Inc. began almost 24 years ago. Paul Cormier, a jeweler with more than forty years of experience in jewelry business, founded Covani trademark in 1997. Noteworthy, it is one of three trading names launched by Paul Cormier since 1997. Two more trademarks, in particular, include “Creation Paul H.” (1997), and “Infinite Diamonds” (2004). Paul Cormier, the president, secretary, and treasurer has created over 25000 pieces of custom jewelry. In addition to tailor-made jewelry creations for all tastes and budgets, his store offers repairment both watches and jewels.
A team of 15-20 jewelers create high quality costume jewelry with the use of metal alloys, gold plating, colorful and glitter enamels, crystals and rhinestones. The design of these figural brooches, pins and pendants include flower, fish, and most often bird design. Traditionally, each piece has a distinctive marking “Covani” (in capital letters) with a rose above, and on a leaf shaped base.
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Straw Hat gold plated brooch scarf pin. 1990s. Signed Michele Lynn vintage costume jewelry

Michele Lynn vintage costume jewelry (1982-2003)
The history of Canadian vintage costume jewelry brand “Michele Lynn” spans not more than two decades. Registered in December 1982 at Campobello Rd, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2L8, Michele Lynn Fine Fashion Jewellery Inc. ceased to exist in January 2003.
Traditionally, the craftsmen of this company used metal alloys, 24-carat gold, silver and gold plating. Also, crystals, faux pearls, rhinestones, enamel, and even porcelain. Made in 1980-90s, the styles and designs of these brooches, pendants, and necklaces range from abstract and geometric to classic cameo and figural.
Marked on the back, each piece includes stamp “Michele Lynn” in capital block letters on an oval base.
Hard to find today, these high quality handcrafted vintage jewelry pieces are very collectible.
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Flower gold plated brooch. 4 cm. 1980s. Rochas vintage costume jewelry

Rochas vintage costume jewelry
The history of Rochas costume jewelry began in 1979, but the Rochas brand is almost 100 years old.
French couturier and perfumer, Marcel Louis Jules Rochas (February 24, 1902 – March 14, 1955) opened his fashion house almost 100 years ago, in 1925. The 22-year-old couturier created his fashion house in collaboration with his first wife Yvonne Coutanceau (1900-1987). Located at 100 rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the motto of Marcel Rochas was “Elegance, simplicity, and youth”.
In 1929 he married the Italian artist Rina Rosselli (1903–1998), with whom he often visited Parisian artistic circles. In June 1933, the fashion house moved to 12 Avenue Matignon, where it would remain until 1955, the year of the designer’s death. His style was simple and he became an innovative fashion designer known for his talent as a colorist.
In 1945, the company began to collaborate with the Parisian theater project “Théatre de la Mode”, which presented a collection of dolls dressed in miniature clothes, jewelry and shoes made by famous Fashion Houses. The doll, dressed by Marcel, wore a black corduroy dress with a collar adorned with diamonds and platinum.
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Outer space star brooch. Silver plated metal, blue crystals. 4 cm. 1980s. Dolce Vita vintage costume jewelry

Dolce Vita vintage costume jewelry
The history of the French costume jewelry brand Dolce Vita (Sweet Life) began in a small Parisian workshop in the late 1970s. Made by hand, the company’s products are easily recognizable as they have their own unique style. These are statement geometric, haute couture, bold designs, and the use of textured “crumpled gold”. Also, silver plating, lucite, art glass imitating amber, amethyst, and other semi-precious stones. An other characteristic feature is the absence or rare use of rhinestones and enamels, so typical for most costume jewelry companies. Traditionally, Dolce Vita jewelry is always a symbiosis of French chic and excellent quality, as well as a great addition to the collection for lovers of vintage designer jewelry.
Noteworthy, the labeling of products differs, in accordance with the artistic intent and design. In particular, most often it is “Dolce Vita” on a heart-shaped base, or “Dolce Vita” Paris in a rectangle, or “Dolce Vita” in an oval. Also, even one piece can have two different markings. For example, labeled with rectangular marking bracelet may have the charm with a heart-shaped mark.
The company ceased to exist in the late 1990s.
Another jewelry company of the same name (Dolce Vita Bijoux) appeared in 1997 at 159, rue du Temple 75003 Paris. However, its style, design, technique and materials is different.
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Basket of flowers brooch. Platinum, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds. 1920. French jewelry company Lacloche Freres

French jewelry company Lacloche Freres
The illustrious history of the family business Lacloche began more than one hundred years ago. Initially, three Lacloche brothers individually owned several stores in France and Spain, but in 1901 they officially united under the name “Lacloche Frères”.

First, they settled in the very center of Paris at 15 Rue de la Paix. Three years later they moved to London and then to Spain, Argentina and Egypt. Their collaborations with many of the finest jewelers of the era have produced masterpieces in a wide variety of styles, including the stylish Egyptian and East Asian Art Deco.
Known for elegant designs and exquisite craftsmanship, Lacloche jewelry and accessories (dressing tables, cigarette cases) embody the spirit of Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

The family business run by four generation jewelers, their products have adorned many crowned heads. In particular, Queen Victoria of Spain, Duchess of Westminster, Kings of Greece and Siam, and Grace Kelly.
Marked “Lacloche Frères”, then “Jacques Lacloche”, the jewelry was created in the best workshops in Paris – Langlois, Péry, Rubel, and Strauss Allard et Meyer ou Verger.

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