
‘Remember Pearl Harbor’ brooch. Staret, 1942. Gold plated, red, enamel, rhinestones. 6.7 cm. Star Staret vintage costume jewelry
Star Staret vintage costume jewelry
Chicago based company Star Novelty Jewelry Co., Inc with a head office at 322 South Franklin Street, began making costume jewelry in 1922. Originally, they marked jewelry pieces (1922-1940) as “Star”. However, after a trial with Gabrielle Chanel in the 1940s, the company changed its name to Staret.
Noteworthy, the company existed until 1995, but the jewelry products after 1947 were significantly different from the early ones as for the craftsmanship.
According to advertisements in Vogue (September 1940 and December 1941), Star jewelers created “Costume Brilliants”. Indeed, the use of high quality crystals, imitation of topaz, ruby, emerald, sapphire and amethyst created such impression. Their collections included beautiful floral designs and no less attractive patriotic theme designs.
Also, many talented jewelers of the time worked for Star, and one of them was Rice-Weiner.

Liberty Torch brooch. 1942. Metal base, enamel, rhinestone pave. 11 cm

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Maker’s mark
Star Staret vintage costume jewelry
1925-1940 Star costume jewelry:

Gold tone brooch, floral design. Faux pearls, rhinestones

Amber color rhinestone clip on earrings

Flower wreath brooch. Gold tone, pink and yellow rhinestones, faux pearls

Bouquet brooch. Gold tone, Swarovski crystals, glass cabochons. 5.5 cm

Emerald green rhinestone floral spray brooch of gold tone

Leaf with pearl clip earrings of gold tone

Wreath brooch. Gold tone, lucite

Pink glass cabochon rhinestone earrings

Shield clips. Silver tone, enamel, art glass
Marked Staret:

Orchid flower set of brooch and earrings. Silver tone, enamel, rhinestones. Brooch 9.7 cm. 1950s

Squirrel brooch, before 1950. Silver tone, faux pearls, crystals, enamel

Bellflower brooch. Rhodium plated, rhinestones and pearls

Bird in a cage trembler bow brooch of gold tone, rhinestones, enamel

Bow brooch. Silver tone, rhinestones

Chrysanthemum 1941 brooch. Gold-plated, enamel, crystals, rhinestones. 11.5 cm

Clown brooch, 1942. Gold plated, enamel and rhinestones. 7.2 cm

Fish brooch. Pot metal, crystals, enamel, rhinestone pave. 7 cm. 1941

Flower brooch. Silver tone, crystals, art glass. 1940s

Light and dark blue rhinestone flower brooch

Lion’s mask brooch. Rhodium plated, crystals, glass cabochons. 1940s

Thanksgiving Turkey brooch. 1941. Metal base, red and black enamel, rhinestones. 6.5 cm

Owl, 1940 brooch. Rhodium plated, rhinestone pave and red stones. 5.7 cm

Parrot brooch, 1940. Pot metal, enamel, red glass and rhinestones. 8 cm

Frog playing the guitar brooch, 1940. Gold-plated, rhinestone pave, enamel. 8.5 cm

Poodle brooch of gold tone, blue rhinestone eye

Rider brooch, 1940. Gold-plated, enamel. 6.5 cm

Maker’s mark

‘Trembling Parrots’ brooch, 1940. Pot metal, brown, green, red, orange and blue enamel and rhinestones. 7.5 cm