Kaleidoscope effect

Anchor brooch. Metal alloy, blue and white crystals. 1980s. Giorgio Armani vintage costume jewelry

Giorgio Armani vintage costume jewelry
“A strong piece of jewelry can make a simple outfit look elegant.” Armani
According to the famous Italian designer, accessories are important and becoming more and more important
every day.
Called the “Chanel of the 1980s”, Armani introduced his trademark in 1974. He perfectly guessed the need of the modern woman and offered her his bold jewelry design. So, jewelry became larger, catchy, reflecting the status of a woman. The 1980s working woman, in her archetypal guise, wanted jewelry that would be practical, beautiful and comfortable to wear to fit her busy schedule. With the return of coats and jackets to fashion, rarely used in the 1970s brooches became popular. Large, catchy multi-colored earrings – clusters or dangling ones – were the best suited to modern short haircuts.
His jewelry displays elegance and quality. Rings, necklaces and bracelets are stylish and vibrant, gold and silver blends beautifully with the sparkle of gemstones. For the production of accessories, the craftsmen used wood or plastic, plexiglass, multi-colored beads, sparkling stones that often resemble marble.
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Flower brooch. Gold filled metal, crystals, glass cabochon. 8 cm. 1940s. White Manufacturing Co vintage costume jewelry

White Manufacturing Co vintage costume jewelry
The history of White Manufacturing Company Inc began in North Attleboro Massachusetts in the late 1920s. They were known as manufacturers of links, fancy neck chains in rolled gold plate and sterling silver. Also, the company produced scarf pins, cuff and bar pins, tie clasps, pendants and brooches.
According to sources, the first White Co branded jewelry from this company appeared in 1928.
The traditional jewelry designs of this brand are amazing and beautiful, like this Art Nouveau-style marked brooch. The curving stem is adorned with two metal flowers, a transparent crystal of the bud and, finally, a magical flower with six petals. The turquoise blue crystals in the center shimmer with gold – this is the effect of the brass-colored metal, in which the crystals are framed.
Traditionally, the craftsmen of this company used 12 K gold, sterling silver, indicating this in the marking on the back of the product – “White Co” followed by 1/20 12K. We can say briefly about the design of jewelry – discreet luxury in high quality crystals, rhinestones and cabochons that imitate natural stones.
The exact date of the closure of the company is unknown, presumably the 1950s.
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Vintage brooch in the shape of a twig with wide leaves and beaded berries. Bronze tone alloy, faux pearls, multi-colored crystals. 8 cm. 1990s. Signed Chico’s vintage costume jewelry

Signed Chico’s vintage costume jewelry
American brand Chico’s manufactures clothing and accessories for women. Described as a bright classic, the brand offers beautiful, stylish things, kept mostly in calm colors, with soft lines and modest finishes.
According to the company’s history, it was Marvin and Helene Gralnick, Guadalajara, Mexico based creative duo who founded Chico’s brand in 1983. Initially, it was not a jewelry brand, but a Mexican folk art gift shop located on Sanibel Island, Florida. Helene named the shop Chico’s Folk Art Specialties after her friend’s pet parrot, Chico. Two years later, in 1985 they opened one more boutique in Florida. Next, followed other stores and boutiques – by 1992 they had 60 of them. In 1989, the company shortened its name to Chico’s FAS (Folk Art Specialties).
Noteworthy, in 1999, the company began online sales at Chicos.com. However, Chico’s contemporary collections include mainly women’s clothing, bags, accessories, and a little jewelry that can be described as understated luxury. Ladies who prefer a discreet and feminine style will highly appreciate the collections of this brand.
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Octopus ring. Diamonds, ruby, gold. Italian jewelry brand Cantamessa

Italian jewelry brand Cantamessa
The history of Valencia based jewelry trademark Cantamessa began in 1939. For more than 80 years, Cantamessa has been creating author’s style jewelry known for excellent craftsmanship and extraordinary aesthetics.
Traditionally, the main inspiration for the brand is flora and fauna. Dandelions and ivy leaves, tulips and roses, snakes and butterflies, exotic fish and marine life implemented in brooches, necklaces and earrings. Noteworthy, Cantamessa created jewelry for Cartier and Bvlgari.
From 1939 to the present day, many famous personalities preferred this brand. Among them Jacqueline Kennedy, Princess Carolina of Monaco, Sharon Stone, Susan Sarandon, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Irina Shayk, model Carol Alt, Miss USA Reena Fakih, and others.
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Heart-shaped emerald and diamond with onyx ear clips. 1980s. Marina B high jewelry art

Luxury and splendor of Marina B high jewelry art
The history of Marina B House began in 1979, when Constantine Bulgari’s daughter decided to leave the family business in Rome and found her own in Geneva. Marina believed that jewelry should be highly decorative, and she perfectly understood the desires of her contemporaries. Her catchy multi-colored pieces are easily recognizable and copied by many jewelry companies. Marina Bulgari often used black and colorless elements to accentuate the hues of precious stones.
Following her concept that jewelry should not only be suitable for both daytime and evening wear, but also match the color of the outfit, she began making ornaments in which it was possible to change precious stones.
Brooches and earrings were often “double-sided”, using a tiny mechanism, one surface of which was usually black – made of onyx or enamel – and the other completely covered with diamonds.
In the 1980s, the designer often used metal springs in the design of necklaces and bracelets, covered with precious metal. Thus, she brought back the popularity of collars, necklaces that quickly went out of fashion at the beginning of the 20th century.
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White Lucite Poinsettia Flower Christmas tree brooch. Gold tone alloy, enamel, rhinestones. 1990s. Lianna LIA signed vintage costume jewelry

Lianna LIA signed vintage costume jewelry
Established in Cranston, Rhode Island in 1995, Lianna Inc., despite the short period of time, became famous. In particular, for its high quality enamel hand crafted brooches. The company mainly specialized in the production of Christmas motif, fairy tale and toy motif jewelry. There were classic designs though. Traditionally, the craftsmen of this company used jewelry alloy of gold and silver tones, blackening and hand-painted multi-colored enamels. Also, lucite, rhinestones and Swarovski crystals. All decorations have hallmark LIA and a copyright sign. The company, which produced expressive, funny and very cute handcrafted jewelry ceased to exist in 2003. Now collectible, the cost of these costume decorations will increase every year.
Noteworthy, there are two jewelry brands “LIANNA, INC” and “Lia Sophia” which are often confused. In fact, they are two different companies that have worked in different styles and techniques.
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Vase of flowers vintage brooch. Gold tone metal, art glass, rhinestones, faux pearls. 1970s. Signed L’Officiel vintage costume jewelry

L’Officiel vintage costume jewelry
Italian luxury jewelry of the famous brand L`0fficiel is exquisite bracelets, necklaces, pendants, earrings and brooches of amazing beauty. A unique factory of craft jewelry and fashion accessories began its work in 1950 in Rome. In their works, the craftsmen used only natural and anti-allergenic metal alloys, Swarovski stones of excellent quality, rhinestones and enamels. Traditionally, all jewelry has the L`OFFICIEL made Italy label and the copyright mark. Undoubtedly, the products of this company in quality and workmanship are on a par with such iconic brands as Valentino and DG.
Noteworthy, the company, created in 1950, is still operating, but it no longer produces such jewelry (the official website does not offer jewelry either). The most common are large runway jewelry – very beautiful beaded necklaces created in the period of 1970-80s. They are a rarity coveted by collectors and lovers of vintage costume jewelry.
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