Recently Acquired Signed Vintage Jewelry Pieces

ACCESSOCRAFT: 1930-1998
Pineapple Brooch
The Accessocraft Products Company, NY, was founded by Edgar Rodelheimer and Theodore Steinman, and opened in 1930. The jewelry has been classified good quality with unusual gothic designs and was highly popular in the 1960s having had the Art Deco decorative look of the 1920s and 1930s Many items had a style typical of the Renaissance, Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Rococo ornamentation. The unusual stones used in the jewelry were set in antique gold-tones or bronzed metals. Many of the 1930s pieces had a decidedly Art Deco look. The jewelry pieces were marked: "Accessocraft", "Plastigold" in September 1940, and "Feathergold" since Aug. 1945 (used for plastic jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, finger rings, earrings, jewelry clips, brooches, lockets, beads, ornamental pins, hat and hair ornaments made with precious or semi-precious metals, fancy buckles and jewelry initials) that were plastic plated. The company ceased operations in 1998. (SOLD)

MONET: 1928 - Present
White Bow Brooch
The Monocraft Products Company was founded in Providence, RI in 1928 by two brothers, Michael and Jay Chernow. The company first produced gold plated monograms on handbags. The business expanded and around 1937 began manufacturing jewelry under the name of Monet. Monet jewelry is of the Art Modern design. In the 1940s, the company started using sterling silver and silver plating along with the gold plated previously used as base metal. The jewelry produced is very durable with lasting quality. Monet was also responsible for several technological advancements in jewelry, the friction ear clip and the barrel clutch for pierced earrings. The Monocraft Products Company, that produced Monet jewelry, was acquired by General Mills in 1968, purchased by Crystal Brands Jewelry Group in 1989 to 1994, acquired in 1994 to 2000 by Chase Capital Partners, Lattice Holding, and in 2000 was purchased by Liz Claiborne Inc. with production of the jewelry moved out of the U.S. Mark: "MONET", "MONET with copyright symbol" after 1955. Monet jewelry has been in production for more than 75 years and has successfully adapted to the constant changing images and designs of our changing times. The Monet jewelry made today still maintains its high quality and quantity of production. It is still able to change styles and designs capable of meeting the competitive market of today in costume jewelry. (Owned by Liz Claiborne Since 2000)

FLORENZA:: 1937 - 1981
Large Gold Leaf with Crystals Brooch
Designer Daniel Kasoff (original name Kosovsky) worked for Speier Costume Jewelry Company for 10 years before starting his own Dan Kosoff Company NY in 1937. The name "Florenza" came from Dan Kosoff’s wife "Florence". His son Larry entered into the business in 1950 when the company started making Florenza jewelry. The jewelry lines produced encompasses high quality workmanship, materials and designs. Some jewelry produced leans towards the Victorian and Regency styles. The metalwork, frequently in antiqued gold-tone metal is ornamented by distinct and superior rhinestones of pastel, frosted, and aurora borealis colors. Florenza jewelry has innovative use of beautiful rhinestones that makes its jewelry sought after by collectors. Mark: "Florenza" in script, "Florenza with a copyright symbol". The company ceased operations in 1981. (SOLD)