Jewels by Trifari


The 1940s and 1950s were the apex of glitzy rhinestone costume jewelry. Designers like the Mazer brothers, Eisenberg, Marcel Boucher and Weiss produced magnificent crystal brooches, necklaces and bracelets that graced both the housewives and movie stars of the era.

Trifari Advertisements from the 1950s

Coco Chanel popularized fashion jewelry in the 1920s. These started as copies and variants of her precious jewelry designs that had made her famous and grew into a category all their own – costume jewelry.

Others that made an early mark on the costume jewelry world were Miriam Haskell, whose hand crafted jewelry is highly collectible today, the Hobe brothers and Coro, whose many lines of jewels made it the largest costume jewelry maker in the world.

Maybe one of the most influential forces in the costume jewelry world, however, was Trifari. Founded in 1918 by Gustavo Trifari, Sr., and Leo Krussman, the duo added a third partner, Carl Fishel, in 1925. The resulting partnership was known as Trifari Krussman and Fishel -- better known simply as Trifari.

In 1930, Alfred Philippe joined Trifari as their Chief Designer. That’s when things really took off. Philippe introduced many design and quality innovations – invisible settings and Swarovski crystals – and design motifs that won the hearts and pocketbooks of women around the world.

Alfred Philippe Design Patents for Trifari 1940s

Here is a sampling of the Trifari Jewels that we have available at Vintages. Click on the photo for more information.
Trifari Blue Enamel & Crystal Set

Trifari 1950s Basket Brooch with Crystal Flowers

Trifari 1950s Enamel & Crystal Apple Brooch

Trifari 1940s Sterling & Crystal Flower Spray Brooch

Trifari 1950s White Enamel & Crystal Crown Crane Brooch

Trifari 1950s Crystal "Fruit Salad" Leaf Brooch

Trifari 1950s Red Crystal Necklace

Stunning Large Trifari 1960-ish Pendant Brooch with Icon Image

Trifari 1940s Ballet Dancer Ballerina Pin

Trifari 1940s Red Crystal Bow Brooch

In 1994 Trifari became part of the Monet Group, which in turn was bought by Liz Claiborne in 2000. Trifari still makes quality costume jewelry today, but its glory years were half a century ago.

Contemporary Trifari Jewelry

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