Flower bouquet brooch pin. 14 K gold filled sterling silver, faux pearls. 3,5 cm. 1960s. Signed Wells vintage costume jewelry
Wells vintage costume jewelry
The history of Wells, Inc., a jewelry company based in Attleboro, Massachusetts, began in 1922, founded by Raymond L. Wells (1904-1977). Initially, the company’s craftsmen made products from sterling silver, as well as gold, natural stones, and enamel. Traditionally, markings, usually on an oval cartouche, include “Wells Ster”, as well as 12K if the item contains gold.
Meanwhile, their “Seventy Two” series of silver bracelet charms has become best known. Made in the 1950s and 60s, such series as ‘Back to School’, retro cars, telephones, lighthouses, pianos, books and various objects are now highly collectible.
Noteworthy, Wells founded Raimond Silver Mfg Co in 1961 and registered several brands to manufacture and import silver goods, from kitchen utensils to jewelry. Six years later, he also acquired the oldest Massachusetts silverware company R. Blackinton & Company (founded by Walter Ballou and Roswell Blackinton in 1862). Wells’s business expanded, designs and products became more diversified, however, jewelry production ceased after Raymond’s death in 1977.
A duckling holding a flower vintage brooch. Sterling silver, 12K gold plated, cultured pearl, turquoise bead eyeSignature
Signed Wells vintage costume jewelry
Strawberry brooch and clip earrings. 14 K gold plated. 1960s.Art Deco brooch pin. Sterling silver, tiger’s eye cabochonBird chick sterling silver pearl brooch pinCurved leaf design brooch. Textured sterling silver. 6 cm. 1970sEtched leaf textured sterling silver pinExotic flower brooch pin. 12 K gold filled, faux pearlFloral design brooch pin. 925 sterling silver, 14 K gold filled, tiger’s eye cabochonFlower 14 K gold filled broochGold vermeil tiger’s eye bracelet. 1940sGrape leaf brooch pin. Sterling silver, 14k gold filled, cultured pearlLeaf steam vintage brooch. 925 Sterling silver, 12K gold plated, tiger’s eye gemMaple leaf sterling silver broochNuts and leaves in circle vintage brooch. 14 K gold plated metal alloy, art glass. 2.7 cm. 1970sOak leaf sterling silver brooch. 6.5 cm. 1950sPearl and leaf design brooch pin. Sterling silver, gold platedRetro car with movable wheels. Sterling silver, rhodium platedShamrock clover sterling silver guilloche enamel brooch pinSwirl design sterling silver broochTreble Clef and music notes rectangular shaped brooch pin. Sterling silverTree branch sterling silver gemstone brooch pinUSA Map patriotic charm. Gold tone metal alloy, enamel. 1970sWheat design brooch pin. 925 sterling silver, tiger’s eye cabochonWhite flower brooch. 14 K Gold filled metal alloy, carved bone. 3 cm. 1970sWreath leaf design 12 K gold filled brooch pinWren bird hearts body brooch pin. Sterling Silver, 12K gold, turquoise eyeMaker’s markChristmas Jewelry ads by Wells. 1964