The Fine Art of Family Magazine

During the 1940s and 1950s, Hollywood films shaped almost every aspect of American fashion—jewelry included. Women desired to don the same extravagant gems of their screen siren idols. And since fine jewelry, which had largely been imported from Europe, had become increasingly difficult to come by during WWII, women began turning to high-quality costume jewelry to get their glamour fix.

To continue our special costume jewelry series (read “Part I” about vintage red glass necklaces), here are three examples of fabulous faux earrings from the 1950s.

$1,200

A staple of any costume jewelry collection, Miriam Haskell pieces are known for their meticulous detail: hand-picked beads, crystals, and gems assembled by hand into incredible works of art. A friend and business peer of Coco Chanel, Haskell opened her first boutique in 1926 in New York, selling pieces to an impressive clientele, including Joan Crawford, Lucille Ball, and the Dutchess of Windsor. These 2.8-inch-long chandelier earrings from the 1950s boast faux baroque pearls, rhinestone, and brass backings that aptly represent Haskell’s heyday. Available at Douglas Rosin Decorative Arts and Antiques .

$120

After working as a designer for Miriam Haskell, Eugene Schultz began his own namesake jewelry line in New York in the 1950s. Hence why his signature style may appear very similar to Haskell’s. However, he stopped production only a decade later, making Eugene pieces very difficult to come by today. These rare, signed earrings are in excellent vintage condition and feature gold-toned metal leaves with small, wired glass pearls in different sizes and shapes, hanging 2.25 inches. Available at Linsy J’s Jewels & Antique Boutique.

$12

Irregular faux pearls, amber rhinestones, and braided ribbon crown these stunning antique-finish Coro earrings. One of the largest costume jewelry manufacturers, Emanuel Cohen and Gerald Rosenberg marked the jewelry with about half a dozen different names. Coro was named for the first two letters of each of their last names, and its signature along with the copyright symbol marks the back of these 1.125-inch-long earrings from the late 1950s. Available at Glitzythings.

[Photography courtesy of Douglas Rosin Decorative Arts and Antiques (top), Linsy J's Jewels & Antique Boutique (center), and Glitzythings (bottom)]

Published on June 30, 2010

Tags: Capturing, Collection, Collections, Fashion, Good Buy, Heirloom, Heirlooms