Signed Francois vintage costume jewelry

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Basket of flowers brooch. Gold tone metal, rhinestones, faux pearls. 1960s. Signed Francois vintage costume jewelry

Francois vintage costume jewelry
The history of Francois costume jewelry brand is inextricably linked with the history of perhaps the world’s most famous costume jewelry company, Coro. Since its establishment in 1901, many talented designers worked for the company. Among them Gene Verrecchio, Massa Raimond, Oscar Placco, Robert Geissman, and many of them ended up starting their own jewelry lines. One such designer was François, who joined Coro in 1937. And already in 1938 he created a series of floral designs under his own name. Traditionally, his designs included the use of pressed glass, lucite, enamel, faux pearls, rhinestones, and silver and gold tone metal alloys. In the 1960s the designs included natural stones, gold plating, and cultured pearl. Handcrafted with high craftsmanship and quality, François branded items were sold in the finest boutiques and department stores. The brand ceased to exist in the late 1960s, when the Coro company itself was on the decline.
Noteworthy, the Francois trademark was registered by Ontario based company CORO Canada INC. in 1977. Even without being an expert in costume jewelry, one can see the difference not only in design, but also in marking. The Coro’s François marking includes the word in script, and the Canadian equivalent – in capital block letters.