Whether updating a collection, searching for information about a family heirloom, or assisting a colleague or customer, dating a piece of vintage costume jewelry can present a challenge. Less familiar primary sources such as patents and copyrights, books about specific companies, and period advertisements also provide a wealth of information to assist with dating. For this article, examples from the mid-twentieth century will be provided, though the techniques and tools described here could be used for dating jewelry from other periods.
After Trifari won a court case in for copyright infringement, patenting these types of designs was widely discontinued and replaced by the less-expensive process of design copyrighting. It is obvious that Trifari and Coro patent information can be used to date pieces of their manufacture.
About Napier Jewelry By LeafTV Editor Napier Jewelry company is an American brand of costume jewelry that manufactured quality items selling for prices that the average woman could afford.
Graziano of New York, for approximately 27 years, has been one of the most widely respected designers of fashion jewelry in America. His jewelry designs, including those for bridal and party use, are finely crafted in extraordinary detail with design changes seasonally. Graziano has recently applied his techniques to a marvelous grouping of photo frames up to 3 x 5 inches that are illustrated on the internet at SendAFrame.
His costume jewelry is receiving a positive response from buyers almost immediately. The company is still in business today. Some interesting designs were produced although most of the jewelry was relatively common in design and was priced moderately to low asking price. The company ceased operations in In , Givenchy opened his own boutique featuring clothing and accessories including jewelry that were sold by department and jewelry stores and worldwide through high novelty boutiques.
Some Givenchy jewelry of heavyweight gold and silver metals is of simple chain design with pendants.
