Ralph DeRosa costume jewelry

Flower enameled thistle brooch with clear and purple tiny rhinestones, light enamel wear

Enameled thistle brooch with clear and purple tiny rhinestones, light enamel wear. Ralph DeRosa costume jewelry (1934-70s)

Ralph DeRosa costume jewelry
The history of exceptional in quality and design Derosa jewelry began in sunny Naples, Italy in 1884. Inherited the family business, Ralph de Rosa successfully conducted his business until 1905. As a man who wanted to significantly expand his own horizons, in the beginning of the last century he left for America – “the land of opportunities”.

Despite all the difficulties awaiting immigrant, Ralph DeRosa founded the eponymous company in 1934 in New York City. The next year, he launched his first collection “Meeting in Venice”. He dedicated the collection to one of the most subtle, complex, romantic Crafts – Venetian lace.
Over the next 7 years, until the death of the romantic jeweler, Ralph DeRosa repeatedly returned to the subject of the Venetian lace.
When DeRosa died in 1942, his wife and daughters continued the family business.

Flower enameled thistle brooch illustration

Noteworthy, DeRosa manufactured jewelry for many companies, including Elsa Schiaparelli. The firm made jewelry in New York City from the mid-1930’s until the 1970’s, but their 1940’s jewelry is the best.

The production began from hand painted illustrations by the company’s artists and designers. The 1940s collection of over 500 illustrations included hand written instructions how to make each piece. These illustrations illuminate the thought processes and design sense that turned into the jewelry itself.

DeRosa jewelry – heavy floral brooches with rhinestones and or enameling. The designs combined faux pearls and rhinestones, as well as sterling vermeil. Their sterling pieces were made during WWII from 1942 until around 1949.

Founded in New York in 1934 Ralph DeRosa jewelry company ceased to exist in 1970.