Kaleidoscope effect

Crystal Maple leaf rhodium plated brooch. 6 cm. 1960s. Signed Keyes vintage costume jewelry

Signed Keyes vintage costume jewelry
Sherbroo, Montreal, Quebec based company, “Keyes Jewellers Mfg Ltd” began producing costume jewelry in 1958 and ceased to exist in late 1990s. Traditionally, they produced handcrafted high-end costume jewelry with the use of gold and silver plating and metal alloys, rhinestones, crystals, faux pearls and enamel. All pieces of this Canadian jewelry brand have marking “Keyes” in oval frame.
Thanks to high quality materials and exquisite designs Keyes vintage jewelry is considered collectible.
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Little angel fine pewter brooch lapel pin. 4.5 cm. 1990s. Signed LCD Lindsay Claire Designs vintage costume jewelry

Lindsay Claire Designs vintage costume jewelry
The history of vintage jewelry marked “LCD” (Lindsay Claire Designs) began on July 1, 1993, and spans a fairly short period, just over a decade. Located in Niagara Falls New York, the company thrived until the early 2000s. In 2006 Canadian couple Gord and Donna Doeler bought LCD and the company moved to their hometown of Barrie, Ontario. The Doelers had been making fine pewter products for 12 years before retiring.
Since 2018, the new owners of LCD – well-known US manufacturer of pewter gifts and collectibles Hampshire Pewter, located in Somersworth, NH.
However, it is the hand crafted LCD-labeled costume jewelry, mostly lapel pins made from fine pewter between 1993 and the early 2000s that is considered vintage and highly collectible.
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Japanese cat with umbrella 24 K gold plated brooch pin. Signed AIC vintage costume jewelry

AIC vintage costume jewelry
The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) is an art museum and institution of higher education in Chicago, Illinois. The main educational specializations are architecture and fine arts. Curated by James Cuno, the museum is renowned for its extensive collection of Impressionist and American art. The Museum Shop offers the widest assortment of museum adaptations from around the world, gifts, and jewelry, which is truly wearable art.

Among most notable jewelers who produced costume jewelry reproductions based on art collections, were Multilana, ACME Studios, G & G, and more. Manufacture of costume jewelry started in 1985. Traditionally 24 K gold and silver plated, made in limited editions, these pieces are rare, unique and highly collectible.
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12K Gold Filled Flower and leaf brooch pendant Binder Brothers vintage costume jewelry

Binder Brothers vintage costume jewelry
The history of New York based jewelry company Binder Bros Inc. began in 1922. Headed by German emigrants Elmer C. Binder and vice-president Lawrence O. Binder the company worked for two decades. When 72-year old Elmer Charles Binder died (in 1938), Lawrence O. Binder continued their business. However, according to 1948 records, Lawrence was engaged in citrus farming in Pinellas County, and wholesale jewelry business in Clearwater.
Traditionally gold plated, or sterling silver, BB jewelry is highly valuable and highly collectible. The marking on the back side of their pieces consists of double, overlapping circles with upper case B’s inside. Also, their markings sometimes include the purity of the material, either 12 K GF or sterling silver.
Noteworthy, famous German jeweler Ernst Gideon Bek (1872-1945) married Binders’ sister Emilie C. Binder in 1899.
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Garden flowers in a basket brooch. 24 K gold plated metal alloy. 4.3 cm. 1995. Inspired by Jan Brueghel the Elder’s painting. National gallery of arts NGA vintage costume jewelry

National gallery of arts NGA vintage costume jewelry

Amazing detailing of a basket brooch with luxurious garden flowers and berries, inspired by a 17th century engraving from the National Gallery in Washington, one of the ten most visited museums in the world. Produced in limited collections, all NGA jewelry is distinguished by quality of workmanship, and individual, recognizable style.
For several decades, many large museums have been producing extensive and varied collections of jewelry. Traditionally, it is based on old jewelry, paintings, decorative and applied arts kept in the collections and funds of these museums. Some of the most famous are the collections of jewelry of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), the Metropolitan Museum of art, or MMA, and the National gallery of Art (NGA). Earrings, necklaces, brooches with the markings of these museums have long been collectible items. Some of them have turned into real collectible rarities, and are in great demand among collectors and fans of costume jewelry.
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Snowflake brooch pin. White glitter enamel, blue rhinestones, silver tone. 1990s. Kim Rogers vintage costume jewelry

Kim Rogers vintage costume jewelry
Registered in the category of Leather, Clothing, and Jewelry Products, the Kim Rogers trademark began its activity in December 1993. The owner of KR – one of the oldest retail companies “Belk Stores Services Inc.”, located in in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to handbags, purses, wallets, carves, belts, gloves, and shoes, the company produced exquisite costume jewelry. Namely, pendants, rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pins and brooches. Also, most notable designs include Christmas theme.
Traditionally, the craftsmen use gold tone metal alloys, rhinestones, faux pearls, crystals, lucite, and glitter enamel. Sold on branded cards, or in original boxes, or with paper tags, these decorations have no markings. Like many jewelry companies of the 1990s, Kim Rogers moved manufacture of costume jewelry to China.
Noteworthy, the name “KIM ROGERS” is fictitious and doesn’t indicate any particular living individual.
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Multi colored rhinestones Christmas Tree brooch of gold tone. 1970s. Signed Tancer II vintage costume jewelry

Signed Tancer II vintage costume jewelry
The history of Tancer II began in June 1970, when former Coro designer and president Michael Tancer and his colleagues registered the new brand, since Coro ceased to exist. However, the company headed by Michael didn’t work long, as he filed for deletion of registration in May 1978. Although the history of Tancer spans eight years, their vintage pieces are popular, loved by jewelry lovers and highly collectible.
Traditionally, the designers of the company made Christmas costume jewelry using gold and silver tone alloy, multi-color rhinestones and glitter enamel.
Noteworthy, among the designers who contributed to the manufacture of Tancer jewelry were founders of Mylu Designs Co., former Coro designers, two sisters, Marge Borofsky and Lynne Gordon.
New York designer Michael Tancer had a long and heroic life. In particular, he was a veteran of WWII serving in the US Army Air Force Intelligence Unit. He had been happily married with his wife Francine Tancer for 55 years, until his death. He passed away on March 24, 2004.
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