Decades Vintage Company is Portland's premier source for vintage and antique costume jewelry. Decades carries a wide variety of delectable baubles. From 1930s bakelite to 1950s rhinestone pieces to antique lockets and cameos. You're sure to find a little something for every taste or mood.

The following list of jewelry makers is offered as a guide to collectors in the hopes you'll find it helpful. The links below allow you to shop by brand name but will include both current and sold listings in order to show as many examples of the brand as possible.

Art / ModeArt - 1950s -1970s
Quite prolific, Arthur Pepper's company Modeart produced a wide variety of styles including florals, figurals, and Chistmas tree pins as well as other holiday designs.
Accessocraft - 1935 - 1998
Accessocraft's claim to fame was their war relief pins in which all profits were donated to charity during World War II. In later decades the company produced the jewelry designs of Pauline Trigere and Anne Klein.
Amco - 1919 - 1970s
Known for their gold filled, and sterling silver jewelry this American manufacturer went out of business in the 1970s. Among other things they sold necklace and earring gift sets in very presentable hinged gift boxes.
Austria - This mark simply denotes that the piece was made in Austria and the rhinestones in the piece are likely Austrian crystal.
Avon - 1971 - Present
Although Avon is not widely collected is is worth noting that Kenneth J. Lane designed some pieces exclusively marketed by Avon which were marked K.J.L. for Avon from 1986 to 1995. Other designers for Avon include Celia Sebiri, Elizabeth Taylor and Louis Feraud.
Aksel Holmsen -1932 - ?
Aksel Holmsen is a Norwegian maker of sterling silver jewelry. The company was founded by Aksel Holmsen Smithy in 1932 in Sandefjord Norway. The company is well known for modernist style and guilloche and basse-taille enameled pieces as well as gold plated sterling jewelry.
B. David - 1945 - 1990s
Nicely made and well finished B David's work is well worth collecting. A person may want to concentrate on B David's lovely crown pins that came in a variety of multi-colored designs with pastel and aurora borealis stones.
Barclay - 1946 -1957
Very nice mid-century modern designs classic to this era. Not to be confused with McClelland Barclay.
Bates & B. - 1856 - 1940s
Bates & Bacon manufactured quality jewelry out of Attleboro Mass. from the mid nineteenth century through the mid twentieth century. Some great gold filled pieces can be found.
Bauer - 1982 - 2000s
Dorothy Bauer made very colorful and high quality rhinestone jewelry. Lots of great figural pieced can be found.
Bellini - 1988 - Present
Nice rhinestone jewelry made by Format Corportation in New York.
Bergére -1946 - 1979
Although not well known Bergere pieces are very high quality and pretty designs which is a great reason to have a Bergere piece in your collection.
Beau Jewels - 1950s - 1970s
This brand had some nicely designed sets. Contructed very much like Judy Lee - similar in quality and design.
Bogoff - 1946 -1960s
Head designer and company founder Henry Bogoff’s beautiful designs are sought out by collectors today for their high quality and amazing beauty. Often the pieces had a rhodium finish which adds to the high quality of the look.
Bond Boyd - 1940 to Present
Established in 1940 this Toronto Canada company is family owned and operated. It mainly manufactures in precious metals and makes custom corporate pins, insignia rings as well as classic maple leaf jewelry for the Canadian tourist trade.
Boucher - 1937 -1971
Decades recommends Marcel Boucher’s beautiful designs as being good investment pieces because of his early association with Cartier as well as the jewelry being of high quality and distinguished design. His jewelry sold in higher end stores such as Saks 5th Avenue and is currently undervalued.
B.S.K. - 1948 - 1980s
Marketed through department stores like Woolworth's. Some worthwhile and substantial pieces can be found.
Carnegie, Hattie - 1918 - 1976
Fashion designer Hattie Carnegie began producing jewelry to compliment her clothing line in 1939. The company continued after her death in 1956 for another 20 years. Any jewelry made before her death is the most sought after by collectors. Jewelry associated with a fashion designer or house is a cross collectible and therefore commands higher prices.
Carolee - 1972 - Present
Carolee jewelry will get a resounding "ho hum" from any serious collector. The rule of course is always "Buy what you like".
Castlecliff - 1918 - 1977
Castlecliff jewelry wasn't marked until 1941 though scholarship on this company is slightly contradictory Castlecliff produced their jewelry at least through the 1960s.
Cathe - 1961 - ?
Indications are that Cathe, like Judy Lee was sold at jewelry parties in the 1960s. They tend to be fun designs with unusual art glass stones.
Caviness, Alice - 1945 - 1997
Another cross over from the fashion industry Alice Caviness began designing jewelry just postwar and died in 1983 although jewelry that bears her name continued to be manufactured well into the 1990s. Well liked by collectors her older jewelry is quite pricey when found.
Charel - 1945 - ?
Collectors will find Charel pieces similar in design and quality to Lisner.
Ciner - 1892 - Present
Founded by Emanuel Ciner in 1892 this company originally manufactured fine jewelry. Finding little market for fine jewelry after the stock market crash of 1929 they switched their focus in 1930 to costume jewelry and Ciner’s work tends to look like the real thing. Still family owned the company continues to produce orignial designs that are still individually hand set and enameled.
Claudette - 1945 - ?
Claudette is the mark from parent company Premier Jewelry Company headquartered in New York, NY. Known for their thermoset pieces this company also made rhinestone jewelry in classic mid-century styles. Some pieces will be signed and some will not.
Coro - Corocraft - 1901 - 1998
Early Coro pieces such as Coro’s Duette’s (brooches that separate into two pieces) or Jelly Bellies (brooches with large lucite center stones) are quite expensive and collectible and will hold their value in the future. Later pieces from the 60s and 70s are much less desirable unless they are in complete 2 or 3 piece sets. In much of the later jewelry the rhinestones were glued in instead of being prong set so they are much more apt to loose stones with use or be missing stones when found.
Creed - 1946 - Present
Founder William Creed started his company after returning from a stint in the Navy in WW II. The firm specializes in Catholic religious medals and rosaries. Much of the work is in sterling silver and uses high quality Czech and Austrian crystal beads.
Danecraft - 1939 - Present
Known for it’s lovely Art Nouveau designs Danecraft silver is still quite reasonably priced and as such is a good investment.
David-Andersen - 1876 - Present
Well known for their enameled sterling silver jewelry, often with a leaf or floral motif. This jewelry will be marked DA Norway. Quite expensive and well collected today.
Da Vinci California - 1952 - Present
This classic mens shirt brand has roots dating back to the 1920s but the Da Vinci label was not used until 1952. Widely collected today the brand is going through something of a reformation post pandemic.
Delizza & Elster - 1947 - 1990
Delizza and Elster manufactured jewelry of the highest quality. Always very solidly made this company unfortunately never signed their pieces but did paper label a line called Juliana in the late 60s. More and more is known about this company's jewelry thanks to the efforts of several studious dealers and the company founder himself.
DeNicola - 1950s -1960s
This New York based company made some great brooches in line with the styles of the era. Cute bugs, turtles, angels and bird figurals. Also of note is their colorful collection of enameled Zodiac star sign brooches.
De Mario - 1945 - 1960s
At first glance many of Robert De Mario’s faux pearl designs look much like Miriam Haskell’s work with lovely gold tone filigree. The DeMario jewelry I’ve come across is very beautiful but has not held up well with time. If stored in a damp or humid climate (like a damp Oregon basement) this jewelry is likely to have some green corrosion known as verdigris on the metal parts. This corrosion is irreversible and usually not cleanable as once it's cleaned there will be black undernieth it. Stay away from any piece that shows this type of damage.
DeRosa - 1934 - 1970
Ralph DeRosa's company was founded in the early 1930s and closed up shop in 1970. Unfortunately much of the work was unsigned. The signed jewelry is highly sought after and well collected today.
Diamonbar - 1905 - 1930s
Diamonbar was a trademark name by Wachenheimer Brothers based in Providence Rhode Island. They made high quality sterling jewelry with rhinestones in art deco styles. The Diamonbar name was used after the 1917 trademark.
Dior, Christian - 1947 - Present
Dior’s untimely death in 1957 at the height of his career was a huge loss to the fashion world. His design sensibility ruled the post war world with the introduction of his New Look. Any of his jewelry designs from this era would command a very high price - if you could get your hands on one. Most of what a collector can find today will be licensed jewelry from the 80s or 90s and should be reasonably priced.
DuBarry - 1950s - 1960s
Paper labels say "An original Du Barry, Fifth Avenue, Ft.Lauderdale". This company had a line of very inexpensive costume jewelry including plastic bangles and clip earrings - some hand painted and manufactured in Hong Kong. Other items include Cloudsilk compacts which have the paper label DuBarry Div. New York, Paris.
Edlee - 1940s - ?
The Edlee Jewelry Company is a New York company that dates back to the 1940s but not much is know about them. Their pieces will be marked Edlee with a copyright mark. Many items will have moulded art glass and rhinestone combinations which are the most collected. Later pieces don't seem to have the special sauce that the earlier work does and are not as impressive. Edlee jewelry is fairly rare.
Eisenberg - 1914 - Present
Eisenberg is one of the most collected of the vintage jewelry brands and is still in business today. Originally they were a clothing manufacturer that also produced dress clips and rhinestone buckles to adorn their dresses. These clips became so popular that the company started to manufacture them to be sold on their own. Eventually in the 1950s Eisenberg gave up on the clothing business altogether in order to concentrate on their jewelry line. Most collectible today are the earlier art deco pieces marked Eisenberg Originals. Most of the 1940s pieces are also marked Sterling. 1950s pieces are usually marked Eisenberg Ice. Many people are also collecting their colorful Christmas tree pins which are often available at Nordstom seasonally.
Elzac - 1940s
Known for their fabulous ethnic face pins in lucite and ceramic, Elzac's figural pins have increased in value over the years.
Emmons - 1949 -1981
Sold at home Tupperware style parties. The same parent company as Sarah Coventry but a bit better quality.
Engel Brothers - 1930 - ?
Engel Bros. jewelry was a partnership between Alfred and Frederick Engel founded in New York in 1930. The jewelry is high quality work much of it in Art Deco style and could remind one of the work of Diamonbar. Their jewelry will be marked EB within a diamond shaped cartouche which was trademarked in 1943.
Eugene - Early 1950s - 1960s
This designer for Miriam Haskell's jewelry line broke out on his own in the early 1950s. Working out of New York, Eugene continued to design Haskell-esque jewelry. Very high quality and beautiful Eugene's jewelry is sure to increase in value.
F.M.Co. - 1888 - ?
The Finberg Manufacturing Company was headquartered in Attleboro, Mass. They were quite prolific and made gold filled jewelry like lockets and bangle bracelets in the styles of the era. Much of what I've seen is Victorian, Edwardian or Art Deco era pieces. I have seen one sterling silver locket as well.
Florenza - 1948 - 1981
Florenza is quite well thought of by dealers and collectors today. The signature look is gold tone or antiqued gold tone settings with large colorful rhinestones. Named to honor his wife Florence, Dan Kassoff’s company also manufactured pieces for other quality jewelry companies of the time.
Galé - 1955 -?
The jewelry I’ve seen from this company has been higher quality prong set rhinestone sets. Although not well known this company’s jewelry is harder to find than other manufacturers of the time and it’s for this reason that I recommend picking it up when you can find a nice piece in mint condition.
Garne -1945 - 1960s
Nice mid-century designs were the trademark style of this New York based company.
Gem Tone - Dates Unknown
This is a paper label company which manufactured reverse carved lucite jewelry.
Givenchy - 1952 - Present
Another notable fashion house Givenchy was founded by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952. This French designer’s work is highly collectible and the house is still a major presence in the fashion world.
Goldette - 1958 - 1970s
Goldette often styled their jewelry to look like parts of Victorian fine jewelry were pieced together and made by a jeweler into a bracelet or a brooch.
Grossé - 1907 - Present
A German company founded by Heinrich Henkel and Florentin Grossé. Famous for their partnership to manufacture the jewelry of Christian Dior and other notable designers.
Georg Jensen - 1904 - Present
Georg Jensen founded his silver company in 1904 and died in 1935 but his company and legacy live on. Collectors of modern design covet the work from this company which include pieces from modern architect Arne Jacobsen of Ant and Swan chair fame. Jewelry with the Georg Jensen mark commands very high prices in today’s market even for a small unassuming brooch. The older more intricate jewelry are fine investment pieces.
Hagler, Stanley - 1953 - 1990s
Stanley Hagler designed jewelry that was large and important looking and was able to curry favor with a wealthy clientele inlcuding movie stars and even the Duchess of Windsor. He used tiny seed beads and Austrian crystal rhinestones in great floral designs and some of the work would remind one of Haskell's designs (whom he worked for for a short time in the 1940s). He was a guest designer for De Mario in 1966 and in 1968 won the Swarovski Design Award. Though Hagler died in 1996 the company contiued after his death.
Har - 1955 -1960s
Har is the signature brand of Hargo Creations. This company was founded in 1955 by Joseph Heibronner and his wife Edith Levitt. Quite rare and always fabulous Har’s fantasy pieces are a great find for any collector. Expect prices to be quite high.
Haskell, Miriam - 1924 - Present
Best known for her faux pearl jewelry Haskell’s work is wonderfully intricate and beautiful. With hoards of fans including dealers and collectors alike, Miriam Haskell jewelry remains quite high in price and for good reason. Haskell used the highest quality materials and the beauty of the work speaks for itself.
Hickok - 1909 - 1970s
Hickok was one of many companies that specialized in men's jewelry and accessories. Much of it was art deco or mid century modern in design. These were marketed in beautiful bakelite and plastic boxes which will be marked Hickok on the bottom with the company crest.
Hobé - 1927 - 1990s
William Hobe founded the American Hobe Cie jewelry company in 1927 and sold mainly through high end stores. From bead work to rhinestones to sterling Hobe’s pieces are always top quality and are prized by collectors today.
Hollycraft - 1948 - 1971
Hollycraft was the trademark of the Hollywood Jewelry Manufacturing Company. Hollycraft has a signature look usually characterized by multi colored pastel rhinestones on a gold tone or antiqued gold tone setting. Though very pretty Hollycraft rhinestone jewelry is rarely prong set so check the piece over very carefully for missing stones.
Iskin, Harry - 1930s - 1953
Quality jewelry made in sterling, gold fill, and vermeil. Designed in classic 1940s retro style as well as art deco and enameled marcasite pieces. The Hallmark is a capitol H with a capitol I in the center.
Jeray - 1940s
Collectible and rarer, designs are true to the "retro" style of the 1940s.
J.H.P. - 1893 - 1935
Founded by John H. Peckham this is one of many jewelry companies that were headquartered in Attleboro, Mass. They made lovely art deco and filigree jewelry based on the fine jewelry styles of the period, much of the work being rhodium plated. Pieces will be signed J.H.P.
J.M.F. Co. - 1893 - ?
The J.M. Fisher Company was founded in Attleboro Mass. and made some great lockets, gold filled jewelry, sterling silver jewelry and other "objects of virtue".
Jolle - 1943 - 1950s
Known for sterling silver and gold plated silver figural jewelry.
Jomaz - 1946 - 1981
An offshoot of the Mazer Brothers Company, Joseph Mazer founded his company in 1946. Some of the jewelry by Jomaz was designed by Andre Fleuidas in the 1950s and more recently Adolfo in the 1970s.
Jonette Jewelry - 1944 - 2006
Most of what a collector will find today will be whimsical pins of very little value. Collecting the sterling pins would be a better bet for future investment. Look for JJ in a diamond cartouche with the word Sterling above it.
Jonne - 1950s - 1962
It is unclear when Jonne's parent company Schrager started producing Jonne jewelry but the company closed in 1962. Jewelry by this company has a signature look. Sort of a cross between Miriam Haskell and Stanley Hagler. It is made in the same way Haskell, Eugene, DeMario and Robert made their jewlery and collectors should look out for the same kind of green corosion that plagues the vintage jewelry of those other companies.
Joseff of Hollywood - 1935 - Present
Eugene Joseff, a designer of jewelry for Hollywood films founded Joseff of Hollywood in 1935 and continued designing for the company until his death in 1948. His widow Joan Castle took over operations of the company after that and later pieces may bear her name. Joseff’s work can be seen in a myriad of films ranging from Gone With The Wind to Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The association to such films and to many movie stars who wore his jewelry keeps prices for his jewelry very high.
Judith Jack - 1969 - Present
Known for high quality sterling silver jewelry in Art Deco and Victorian revival styles.
Judy Lee - 1958 - 1980s
Sold in Tupperware style jewelry parties the Judy Lee brand is not widely collected which makes it a pretty good buy as it’s moderately priced and the pieces were usually well put together and nicely designed.
Juliana - 1967 - 1968
Recently discovered by collectors Juliana is the house brand label of Delizza and Elster. This company’s high quality rhinestone jewelry is unmarked and can only be identified through particular manufacturing techniques or original paper labels.
Karu -1940 - 1970s
At first glance Karu’s quality designs look much like the work of other quality manufacturers like Weiss or Weisner. Though not well known Karu’s jewelry is well made and as such is quite collectible.
Kevia - 2007 - Present - Designer Kevia Jeffrey -West started her jewelry business out of her home after graduating from college. Her early work was primarily gold plated sterling silver adorned with semi precious stones. By 2012 Kevia had launched a line of jewelry influenced by vintage designs that she named the Decades line saying she was inspired by Decades Vintage Company's owner John Cosgrove. This up and coming designer also has a new line of fine jewelry and her work has been sold by the likes of Anthropology and Saks Fifth Avenue and is currently popular with celebrities and Hollywood stylists. Kevia jewelry is sure to hold it's value in the future because of the quality of materials and design.
Kramer - 1943 - 1979
Also marked Kramer of New York, Kramer jewelry is avidly collected as it is always high quality and well designed. Prices of Kramer jewelry are quite reasonable considering quality and demand. The marks Kramer and Kramer of New York were in use at the same time.
Krementz - 1866 - Present
Krementz is best known for it’s gold filled jewelry from the Art Deco to Mid-Century periods. Krementz made men’s cuff links, tie clips, collar buttons and a full line of women’s jewelry as well.
Lane, Kenneth J - 1963 - Present
After working for Vogue and Dior, Kenneth Jay Lane (K.J.L.) founds his own costume jewelry business in 1963. His designs adorned a long list of notables from Liz Taylor to Princess Dianna and he is still in business today. He designed for Avon as well from 1985 to 1996 with the mark KJL for Avon.
Lang - 1940s - 1970s?
This company made cute little figural sterling silver jewelry. They signed their silver Sterling, Lang with the S in the word Sterling being a stylized swan.
Laguna - 1944 - 1980s
If multi-strand necklaces are your thing Laguna is right up your alley. Laguna often used colorful art glass beads in their work. Strangely interspersing plastic beads with beautiful glass ones they somehow make this work with stunning results. You'll find the signature on the hook clasp.
La Rel - 1953 - ?
New York manufacturer La Rel made "rhinestone magic" for some time in the 1950s catering to the younger market. Simple, tasteful and well made, their hang tags bragged their jewelry was non-tarnishable.
Larin, Robert - 1968 - 1972
Canadian modernist Robert Larin was working out of Montreal in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Most pieces are signed R. Larin and are made from cast pewter.
Laroche, Guy - 1957 - Present
Guy Laroche founded his fashion house in Paris in 1957. Exactly when jewelry bearing the name began is unlcear. The signature look is quite modernist and is sold in higher end stores like Neiman Marcus.
Ledo - 1948 - 1960s
The Ledo mark was first used in 1948 by the Leading Jewelry Company which was founded by Ralph Polcini in 1911. It's unkown when the Ledo mark was discontinued but the Leading company was changed it's name and it's mark to Polcini in the early 1960s.
Les Bernard - 1963 - 1996
Bernard Shapiro, son of Harold Shapiro of the Vogue jewelry company joined forces with Lester Joy and formed the LesBernard company in 1963. Because it is more recent the Les Bernard company’s jewelry is not highly collectible as yet but many pretty pieces can be found quite reasonably today for just that reason.
Leru - 1956 - 1960s
Classic mid-century designs, you'll find the look similar to Coro and Lisner. Lots of moon glow lucite sets as well as thermoset plastic and rhinestone pieces.
Lisner - 1904 - 1979
With a long history of jewelry manufacturing the Lisner pieces a collector is likely to find today date from the 1950s and 60s when costume jewelry was at it’s height. Like the later Coro pieces much of Lisner’s later pieces did not use prong set stones and as the result often lose stones with storage and wear. Some of the better of the future collectible Lisner are the pieces with plastic elements like leaves or flowers. Try to buy these in full sets if possible but it shouldn’t be hard to piece together a set if you found a single piece you like as Lisner jewelry is quite common.
Little Nemo - 1913 - 1978
Another in a plethora of New England jewelry manufacturers Little Nemo Manufacturing Company was based in Providence Rhode Island and made some lovely rhinestone and enameled jewelry and was a subsidiary of Brier Manufacturing Co. Earlier jewelry will be marked LN/25, L/N, LN inside a diamond cartouche and later pieces are marked Nemo.
Liza - 1980s - As with most makers the style of the jewelry reflects the time period. In this case big, brassy gold tone pieces - some gold plated. Pieces are signed Liza. Paper labels indicate the company was based in Dallas and London originally producing only fine jewelry then producing a costume jewelry line.
Mandle - 1938 - 1948
Very rare and often unmarked. Mainly enameled figural brooches with classic 1940s styles. Urie Mandle's son Robert started his own company in the late 1950s and his jewelry is marked R. Mandle.
Marvella - 1911 - Present
Marvella sold a wide aray of nice pieces including figural brooches, multi strand necklaces, full sets and faux pearls.
Matisse - 1952 - 1964
See Renoir.
Mazer - 1923 - 1981
Joseph and Louis Mazer started their company in the 1920s and their jewelry was marked Mazer Bros. from 1926 to 1951. The mark Mazer was used from 1946 to the company closed in 1981. Marcel Boucher designed for the Mazer Bros company for a time before striking out on his own in 1937. Joseph Mazer left the Mazer Brothers company in 1946 to start Joseph J. Mazer & Co. The Mazer and Jomaz marks were first used in 1946. See also Jomaz.
McClelland - Barclay - 1935 - 1943
Fabulous multi-color art deco is the signature look of this company's prized pieces. Marked McClelland - Barclay and sometimes Barclay it might be confused with Barclay (1946-1957) but the signature font is different as is the look of the jewelry.
Miller, Nolan- 1992 - 2011
This award winning Hollywood costume designer produced a line of very pretty and vintage inspired costume jewelry.
Moini, Iradj - 1989 - Present
IIradj Moini had been a jewelry designer for Oscar de la Renta before striking out on his own. His work regularly graces the covers of fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire and Elle Magazines. He has been exhibited in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and is in the permanent collections of the Louvre in Paris. His jewelry is usually quite large and always fabulous. Moini's work often utilizes natural stones mixed with Swarovski crystals to striking effect
Monet - 1937 - Present
Like Trifari the key to collecting Monet is to buy the older pieces as Monet is easy to find at department stores at reduced prices most of what I see around tends to be made within the last 2 decades and is quite easy to find.
Mosain - 1920s - 1930s
Though I know next to nothing about this company I have seen this name on classic 1920s gold filled Art Deco cuff links similar in style and quality to Krementz.
Mosell - 1940 - 1980 - Frederick Mosell is probably best known for his Egyptian revival pieces. Large gold tone cuff bracelets and matching bib necklaces and earrings some resembling gold lace.
Napier - 1922 - Present
Another maker that is currently in business selling through large department stores is Napier. Early pieces will be hard to find but the newer pieces are plentiful and prices are cheap.
Ora - 1921 - Present
Ora's beautiful art deco designs were great quality and are being produced today from the original molds. For this reason collectors should be shy about buying a piece without knowing the provenance.
Original By Robért - 1940s - 1979
This company is highly regarded and made some very lovely jewelry producing sterling silver rhinestone designs in the 1940s and moving into beaded and faux pearls in the 1950s and 60s. Designs from the latter era look much like the work of Robert's contemporaries De Mario, Eugene and Miriam Haskell and are equal in quality. Company founder Robert Levy won the Coty Award for excellence in design in 1960.
Otis - 1934 - 1970
In the mid 1930s Edward Otis purchased the Wachenheimer Brothers jewelry company famous for their Diamonbar line of sterling silver rhinestone jewelry. Otis continued to produce Diamonbar and WB designs well into the 1940s and closed in 1970.
Pakula - 1932 - 1998
Founded in Chicago in 1932 Pakula is not a well known brand to collectors but manufactured gift sets as well as wholesaled other brands of costume jewelry including Whiting and Davis and Anson - a brand of mens jewelry. Because their work was unsigned most of their work is lost in anonymity. They marketed their jewelry in gift boxes with the name Pakula Originals printed inside. Classic mid-century designs, floral motifs and hand set rhinestones are the norm for this company.
Panetta -1945 -1995
Designer Beneditto Panetta started his company in 1945 after working for both Trifari and Pennino. Collectors appreciate the high quality of his work and prices reflect that.
Paris - 1990 - Present
Debra Moreland started manufacturing jewelry in Cincinnati using the facilities formerly owned by the B. David company which she purchased in 1993. The company focuses on bridal jewelry and is marked Paris.
Park Lane - 1955 - Present
Founded by Arthur and Shirley Levin this company sells their jewelry at home based parties. Some nice pieces can be found. Prices and quality are all over the map. Buy what you like!
Pell - 1941 - Present
This company is still in business manufacturing jewelry and is headquartered in Astoria, N.Y.
Pennino - 1926 - 1961
Brothers Frank and Oreste Pennino started their company in 1926. Austrian crystal rhinestones and vermeil were often used and this jewelry is very collectible in today’s market.
Phyllis - 1940s - 1960s
Well made, though not well known the Phyllis jewelry company sometimes used sterling silver settings.
PS Co - 1905 - Present
Plainville Stock Company made lovely art deco and filigree jewelry peices based on the fine jewelry styles of the period.
H. Pomerantz - 1940s - 1960s
Founded by Herman Pomerantz, jewelry by this designer is quite rare and very little had been known about the company. Luckily Mr. Pomerantz's granddaughter contacted Decades recently. According to his granddaughter Herman passed away in 1967 and his original sketch books as well as any left over sample jewelry was unforturnately thrown out. Most pieces are marked H POMERANTZ INC. N.Y.
Rader, Pauline - 1963 - 1980s
Fun designs like her fly brooch with trembling wings attached to springs are great pieces for any collection.
Rebajes - 1941 - present - Francisco Rebajes was a brilliant moderist jewelry designer and sculptor. Much of his jewelry work is in copper or sterling silver and his peices have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. Originally from the Dominican Republic Rebajes imigrated to New York as a teenager. Having very little means in his beginnings Rebajes work was unexpectedly discovered by the director of the Whitney Museum and with this exposure his career took off. This enabled him to open a store in Greenwich village and later on 5th avenue. All the pieces were handmade though not neccessarily by him. He hired Otto Bade to make the jewelry in the early 1940s who later oversaw all the work and eventually bought the company from Rebajes in 1960. Jewelry bearing the Rebajes signature is still manufactured today.
Regency - 1950s - 1970s
I’m a big fan of Regency jewelry. It is always of the highest quality and they often used unusually shaped molded stones that look like leaves. Their beautiful color combinations and quality settings were often Japanned and were always well designed. I highly recommend Regency jewelry for all of the above reasons.
Reinad - 1922 - 1950s
This New York company's jewelry is fairly rare. Though not much is known about the company the quality of the jewelry speaks for itself.
Reja - 1939 - 1953
From 1939 to 1941 marked Deja. Like most jewelry manufacturers of the time this company worked through the war years in sterling silver adding rhinestones for color. The designs are classic retro styles.
Renior - 1946 - 1964
This beautiful copper based jewelry is usually modernist in design reflecting mid 20th century design esthetics. My favorites of these are the multicolored enameled pieces made by Renoir’s sister company Matisse which opened in 1952. This jewelry has lots of fans and is much harder to find than it used to be. Snap it up next time you see a piece you like.
Rifus - 1960 - ?
Frank Rifus founded his comany in Chicago in 1960. This is a great brand I don't know much about it. Quite rare, high quality and beautiful. Some pieces are rhodium plated.
Roger Van S - 1945 - 1960s
Better known for thier award winning purses and belts Roger Van S designs were the brain child of Mrs. Doris Van Schoyck who went by Mrs. Roger Van S. But they also had a line of costume jewelry comparable in quality and design to Trifari.
Roma - 1960s - ?
This is the trademark name of jewelry made by the Fairdeal Manufacturing Company. Gold tone jewelry likely to resemble that of Trifari pieces of the era.
Roth-Feder - Late 19th century - 1930s
Signed either Roth-Feder or Roth & Feder there is not a wealth of knowledge about this company but they manufactured rhinestone belt buckles as well as brooches and clips much of it in art deco styles.
Rosenstein, Nettie - 1935 - 1975
The Austrian born fashion designer Nettie Rosenstein imigrated to New York as a child and grew up in Harlem. She began producing clothing for I. Magnin in 1919. Her career flourished throughout the 1920's through the 1950's. Like many other fashion designers she added a line of jewelry to accent her clothes in 1935. Rosenstein retired in 1961 leaving her business partner, Coty Award winning designer Sol Klein to continue the jewelry and accessory business until he retired in 1975. Look for her silver vermiel pieces with colorful enamel. Rosenstein's jewelry is quite rare and was very expensive at the time.
Sarah Coventry - 1949 - 1983
This once sleeper brand has become quite collectible in recent years. Medium quality work. Was mostly sold at home parties like Avon.
Scaasi - 1958 - present - Arnold Scaasi's lovely jewelry certainly turns heads. He is a fashion designer as well as a jewelry designer and sells mainly on HSN these days.
Schiaparelli, Elsa - 1930s - 1960s
From surrealism in fashion design to shocking pink, Schiaparelli’s designs and reputation speak for themselves. The legendary fashion designer created jewelry designs as well. Very colorful, high quality bold designs are her signature look. Very collectible, very expensive, jewelry with her signature will hold it’s value for years to come. Beware of fake Schiaparelli jewelry in which the name is misspelled.
Schreiner - 1939 - 1977
High quality and beautiful, this New York maker’s designs are quite desirable now. Known for “reversing” the rhinestones so the facets catch the light. Schreiner often used unfoiled Austrian crystal rhinestones so the stones could be mounted "upside down".
Selro - 1940s - 1970s
Founded by Paul Selenger in New York in the late 1940s. This jewelry has a signature look using ethnic looking faces or masks as center pieces in brooches or as links on a bracelet or even drops on bolo necklaces.
Simpson, Adele - 1940s - 1970s
Jewelry by American Designer Adele Simpson was produced in limited quantities and is quite rare and collectible today. Worn by every First Lady from Mamie Eisenhower to Roselin Carter her conservative clothing designs had appeal to professional women everywhere.
Spiffardi - 1950s
Another of the countless companies lost to history as their jewelry was unsigned. This company marketed their work in velvet gift boxes with a paper info sheet trumpeting the quality of their work. They called their stones Dia-mo-crys or "artificial diamonds" which were open backed crystals set by hand. As all things imported were the rage in those days they also went by the name Spiffardi of Florence Italy though the jewelry was made in the U.S.A.
Stambouli, Natasha - 1980s -1990s
Natasha Stambouli designed very bold jewelry often incorporating animal or insect forms and utilizing semi precious stones and Austrian crystals in the work. It's usually 18K gold plated in a matte finish on brass. Her signature look blends a bit of ancient Etruscan styles with Victorian Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts styles with beautiful results.
Star - 1940s -1960s
Another of the many New York based costume jewelry makers of the mid-century styled in the classic design sensibility of the time.
Staret - 1935 - 1947
Not to be confused with Star or Star-Art the Staret name is the mark of Star Novelty Jewelry Company based in Chicago, Il. Highly collectible and rare Staret jewelry is well thought of and sought out by collectors. Expect prices to be high.
Stein, Lea- 1969 - 1981 and 1988 - Present
Lea Stein's jewelry is often mistaken for lucite or even bakelite. Her rhodoid (a type of celluloid) figural pins especially the fox pins are simple, colorful and collectible.
Swank - 1936 - present
Although the history of this company can be traced back to the 1890s the Swank name was not used until the mid 1930s. The company was then and continues to be a quality manufacturer of men's jewelry including cuff links, tie clips and even necklaces. Today in addition to manufacturing their own signature line they also make jewelry for Pierre Cardin, Alexander Julian and Anne Klein among others.
Taxco - Many Mexican silver designers have a huge following today. Especially designers that were working in the 1940s. During World War II shortages and rationing of brass, copper and other hard metals made silver the metal of choice for much of the jewelry of that period. Much of this work came out of a small town in Mexico called Taxco. Some pieces will be signed and some will not. Names to look for are William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Hector Aguilar, Los Ballesteros, and Los Castillo. There are many many other silver marks and designers. Collectors of these pieces often settle into collecting the work of one or two designers. Beware of items bearing the mark "Alpaca" as they are not silver.
Thune - 1857 - Present
A Norwegian company which makes beautiful fine jewelry and vermeil guilloche silver jewelry and tableware. The look of this jewelry may remind one of David-Andersen styles.
Toshikane - Dates unknown - 20th Century
This Japanese company was headquartered in Tokyo and made colorful enameled art ceramic jewelry and buttons. Much of the jewelry was mounted on fine silver and used classic Japanese motifs such as Samurai, Mt Fiji, the Seven Immortals and Japanese fans. Original paper insterts boasted about their "Exquisiteness in carving and delicacy in colouring - all done by hand. The highest skill in ceramic attained by ceramic art in Japan".
Trifari - 1918 - Present
With Trifari as with any maker that is still producing jewelry the key is collecting the older stuff. The Trifari Jelly Belly as well as the Coro versions are sought after today bringing high prices as they have been collected for many years.
Van Dell - 1938 - Present
This company was based in Providence Rhode Island. They are known for sterling silver and gold filled jewelry.
Vendome - 1944 - 1979
Known to collectors for beautiful bead work Vendome’s parent company Coro started using this name for their higher end jewelry in 1944. Eventually in the 1950s the Vendome brand had a full line of superb jewelry.
Vogue - 1936 - 1973
Known for high quality beadwork in the 1940s and 1950s. I prefer their modernist pieces of the 1960s.
Volupte - 1926 - 1950s
Better known for their elegant compacts Volupte had a very nice line of jewelry in the 1950s.
Warner - 1953 - 1971
Joseph Warner’s lovely rhinestone jewelry is solidly made and could remind one of other makers such as Karu, Weiss or Regency. Also of note are his “blooming” mechanical flower pins which open and close by moving a lever.
Weinberg - 1980s
This New York based company specialized in costume jewelry designed to mimic the jewelry styles of the 1930s and 1940s. They made some great Art Deco pieces and fun Retro style figurals.
Weiss - 1942 -1971
Weiss is a maker that used Austrian crystal rhinestones. Weiss jewelry is widely collected today but is still reasonably priced. Most Weiss jewelry uses prong set stones on beautiful settings. Some of their later work is not as high quality with the stones just glued in. Check these pieces over carefully for missing or replaced stones and pass on them if they are not perfect.
White, JJ - 1896 - 1970s
Founded in Providence Rhode Island this company used a W inside a triangle cartouche to hallmark much of their jewelry but also used an H in between two traingles on other pieces.
Wiesner, Joseph - 1950s
Wiesner made high quality rhinestone jewelry with lovely designs.
Wiesner of Miami - 1950s
This multi faceted accessory company advertized heavily in Vogue magazine. Their Trickettes line featured compacts, perfume bottles, lipsticks, pill boxes and the like were encrusted with rhinestones, faux pearls and genuine mother of pearl.
Whiting and Davis - 1876 - present
Vintage clothing collectors and antique enthusiasts will recognize the Whiting and Davis name as being associated with metal mesh purses dating as far back as Victorian times. In the 1950s the company branched out to produce a line of costume jewelry that is coveted by collectors today. Look for their cuff bracelets or mesh bib necklaces.