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Collecting costume jewelry has quickly become one of the fastest-growing fashion statements to hit the planet.  Not only is it purchased to add to a collection it is purchased to wear. The shear beauty of vintage costume jewelry is unsurpassed by current market fashion jewelry.   We hope this new section will improve your knowledge on costume jewelry designers of the past and present, and assist you in identifying and dating your costume jewelry. 

A

R. Accessocraft

• In 1930 founded by Edgar Rodelheimer and Theodore Steinman

   

• Their designs were unusual and gothic in style

   

• During the 1960s they were very because they had the Art Deco look of the 1920s and 1930s

   

• Ceased operating in 1998 align=justify>

• Marks

   

• Accessocraft in 1940s

   

• Plastigold in 1940s

   

• Feathergold since 1945

R. Albion

• Albion Jewelers, Chicago, IL began operations in 1955

   

• Marks

   

• A Albion

   

• Contessa

   

• Not all jewelry marked.

R. Anderson, David

• In 1876 he founded his workshop in Oslo, Norway

   

• Generations of skilled craftsmen, have bless the market with exquisite enamel jewelry

   

• Still made today

   

• Marks

   

• D-A NORWAY STERLING

   

• DAVID ANDERSEN NORWAY STERLING 925S

Avon

• In 1886 Avon was founded by D.H. McConnell, Sr

   

• In 1920 Introduced the Avon jewelry line to the California Perfume Company

   

• In 1930 changed its name to Avon Products Inc

   

• Quality was comparable to Coro and other fine names

   

• Avon did not manufacture its own jewelry

   

• Marks

   

• AVON

B

R. Blackinton

• Began operating in 1862

   

• Specialized in sterling silver and some 14k gold novelties and jewelry

   

• A block letter R, B with the horizontal sword with hilt on the left, Co. each in an individual octagon represent R. Blackington & Co.

   

• The original trademark, the block B with sword only not surrounded by R and Co., was used until c. 1900

   

• In 1967 purchased by Wells, Inc.

   

• In 1978 it was liquidated

Bogoff

• In 1908 Henry Bogoff emigrated from Warsaw Poland

   

• In 1946 he started Bogoff Company in Chicago

   

• During the 1940s and 1950s Jewels by Bogoff, Spear Novely Co created lovely quality pieces in heavy rhodium and hand set stone, with the look of fine jewelry.

   

• Ceased operations in the 1970s

   

• Marks

   

• Jewels of Bogoff

   

• Bogoff

Boucher

• Born in France he trained as an apprentice to Cartier in France

   

• In the early 1930s Boucher designed jewelry for Mazer Bros

   

• In 1937 Boucher established his own company called Marcel Boucher and Cie Company producing creative imaginative designs in metal

   

• In 1965 Marcel Boucher died

   

• His wife Sandra Boucher ran the company until 1972

   

• In 1972 Marcel Boucher and Cie Co became a subsidiary of Dovorn Industries, a watch manufacturer

   

• Marks

   

• Boucher jewelry is usually signed and carries an inventory number

   

• Marboux is an early mark

   

• MB in a cartouche is also an earlier mark

   

• Marcel Boucher

   

• Boucher

   

• SB Sterling from 1942 to 1944

   

• Phrygian Cap - registered in 1944 used till 1949

   

• Boucher - 1950 to 1955

   

• Boucher © - 1955 to 1971

C

C&H

• Began operations in 1898 as C& H Co = Chapin and Hollister Company, in Providence RI by William P. Chapin and Frederick R. Hollister and incorporated the same year

   

• Manufacturers of fine rolled plate, gold, silver and gold-filled knives and jewelry

   

• Last info on operations was found was 1922

Hattie Carnegie

• Her early jewelry dates to around 1918 and was designed to complement her clothing

   

• In 1956 after Carnegie’s death company was sold to Larry Josephs

   

• In 1970s it ceased operations

   

• Marks

   

• Hattie Carnegie

   

• Carnegie

   

• HC within a diamond, inside a semi-oval was used less frequently

   

• Pooped Pussy Cat used on hair ornaments and cases

   

• Pooped Poodle used on hair ornaments and cases

Carolee

• Began operations in 1972

   

• Began as a kitchen hobby enterprise eventually employing over 300 people

   

• Now internationally recognized

   

• Marks

   

• Dutchess of Windsor

   

• CAROLEE with copyright symbol

   

• Carolee Friedlander supports Breast Cancer Research

Ciner

• Originally manufactured fine jewelry

   

• In 1931 began manufacturing costume jewelry

   

• Currently still in business

   

• Marks

   

• CINER after 1945

   

• Not known if all Ciner jewelry was marked

Cini

• As a young man Guglielmo Cini trained in Florence, Italy

   

• 1922 Immigrated to the United States and he established a workshop in Boston

   

• 1957 he relocated to Laguna Beach CA

   

• His designs in sterling and gold-plated silver are rich in European tradition

   

• 1950s and 1960s Cini included faceted colored rhinestones in his compositions

   

• In 1979 Cini died

   

• Company continued operating under the direction of designer Felipe Mendosa

   

• Still in operation

   

• Marks

   

• Guglielmo Sterling in a rectangle box - 1920s to present

   

• STERLING BY CINI with a copyright symbol in a rectangle box

   

• Sterling Cini with a copyright symbol

Claudette

• The trademark belongs to Premier Jewelry Co Inc

   

• The First Used in 1945

   

• Not known how long this jewelry was manufactured but resources indicate it was not produced beyond the mid-1950's

   

• Marks

   

• Mark is extremely rare

   

• Claudette with a copyright symbol

Coro

• As early as 1901 Coro jewelry is marked

   

• CR stands for Emanuel Cohn and Gerald Rosenberg

   

• 1978 Ceased production

   

• Coro, Inc, in Canada was still operational in 1990<

   

• Marks

   

• Coro is most common and has been in use since 1919

   

• Coro Craft mark was used since 1937 and was originally

   

• Used on higher quality pieces

   

• Corocraft was used after 1945

   

• The Pegasus mark was used after WWII

   

• Francois was used to market higher end costume jewelry

   

• Vendome – used on a jewelry line started after 1944

   

• Coro used many additional marks

   

• Coro Craft in use since 1937

   

• Coro originals

   

• There are several other Coro marks