Signed BB vintage costume jewelry

Signed BB vintage costume jewelry
Very often you can get lost in the markings of vintage costume jewelry, and especially if they consist of two letters. For example, the initials BB. In fact, these pieces belong to completely different jewelry companies. Among several such brands, the most famous are four respected jewelry companies that produced costume jewelry in the 20th and even in the 19th century with the BB mark. In particular, Bioren Bros, Bennett & Bradford, Binder brothers, and Bliss bros. They can be distinguished, first of all, by the style of marking, and perhaps, by the technique and materials.
Noteworthy, the oldest of the three is Bioren Bros, located in Newark NJ, USA, and active in 1887-1929. Their hallmark was “B B” in a rounded rectangle.
Second, Bennett & Bradford, founded by E.A. Bennett in 1892 (renamed to BB in 1898). Traditionally, this company’s products are made of sterling silver with gold plating. The markings include two capital letters BB in an oval frame, and sometimes the word “sterling”.
Third, jewelry company Bliss bros began producing jewelry in 1896 and ceased to exist in the 1950s. Located in Attleboro, MA, they marked their products, mainly lockets, charms, buttons, pins and bracelets with two letters B. However, the style of marking differed greatly. Inside the large capital letter B was a smaller B in the top half, and CO in the bottom half.
Fourth, Binder brothers, New York-based company, which began operating in the 1920s, which gold plated jewelry is highly valuable and highly collectible. They marked their pieces with with double, overlapping circles with upper case B’s inside, and this is what sets it apart from the others. In addition, their markings also include the purity of the material, most often either 12 carat gold filling or sterling silver.

Signed BB vintage costume jewelry

Bioren Bros:

Bennett & Bradford:

Bliss bros:

Binder brothers: