Stylish jewelry with the Trifari imprint and distinctive crown logo are things of beauty that can be appreciated for generations. Here you can learn more about the Trifari brand, one of the best names in vintage, fashion, and costume jewelry.
One of the world聮s first costume jewelry companies, Trifari was synonymous with quality materials, fine craftsmanship, and dazzling fashion for most of the 20th century.
Trifari was founded in 1918 by partners Gustavo Trifari and Leo Krussman to manufacture exquisite hair combs and other accessories. In the aftermath of World War I, fashion flourished and business grew. The founders added a third partner, Carl Fishel, in 1925. Then came the Jazz Age聟 modern women began to bob their hair... and demand for elaborate hair ornaments declined.
The market for costume jewelry, however, was just about to ignite. In 1930, European jewelry designer Alfred Phillippe joined Trifari as head of design, dedicated to the proposition that costume jewelry should be a work of art.
Before coming to work for Trifari, Phillippe had been a jewelry maker for Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. He brought to Trifari the tradition of craftsmanship used in creating fine jewelry, and immediately set new standards for the industry. Designs he created using hand-set stones won such acclaim that the partners become known as 聯The Rhinestone Kings.聰
In a trail-blazing move, Trifari in 1938 launched the first national fashion jewelry advertising campaign using the slogan: 聯Jewels by Trifari.聰 In large part, the campaign was responsible for popularizing costume jewelry as a stylish and affordable alternative to wearing precious gems and metals.
The next year, 1939, Trifari moved its factory to Providence, RI聴which for more than 50 years was the worldwide center of fashion jewelry manufacturing.
World War II created shortages in materials. With metal restricted, sterling silver- and gold-plated costume jewelry were considered the patriotic choice. Trifari pitched and boosted morale by creating bejeweled eagles, flags, and pins. Its reputation for quality manufacturing and design crossing the Atlantic, Trifari was called upon by Great Britain聮s Royal Air Force to make the corps聮 emblems; profits went to support the war effort.
Inspired, perhaps, by that prestigious British commission, Trifari introduced its signature vermeil crown pin of colorful rhinestones, smooth cabochons, and square baguettes in 1941. It become a memorable 聴 and much copied 聴 design. Since that time, pins have remained an important element in the Trifari product mix.
Trifari went to the White House in 1952, when First Lady Mamie Eisenhower asked the company to create the jewelry she would wear at her husband聮s inauguration. Three triple-strand pearl necklace sets were produced: One for the First Lady, one for the Smithsonian Institution, one for Trifari聮s archives. When her husband was re-elected in 1956, Mrs. Eisenhower again asked Trifari to adorn her.
That same decade, Trifari won a landmark case against a competitor and obtained a ruling granting jewelry designs copyright protection as works of art. Today Trifari styles from the past 聴 showing long life and wear-resistance 聴 have become valuable heirlooms, and are often sold at auction to high bidders.
Trifari collectors can point to notable design changes in each successive decade. Following the sinuous curves of the 1940s and the chunky charm of the 1950s, fashion fantasy prevailed in the 1960s: Bold, exotic shapes and gems, oversize baubles, and intricate, ethnic-inspired designs were what that customer wanted.
The 1970s聮 聯Me Generation,聰 sizzling with Saturday Night Fever, went for polished neckchains and zodiac charms that helped to start a 聯What聮s your sign?聰 conversation.
Bold, gold 聯power聰 dressing and look-of-the-real styles characterized Trifari in the 1980s. Traditional themes and pearl designs were defining status symbols.
Despite its legendary history, the Trifari brand was discontinued in 2000. At that time Trifari was part of The Monet Group, which also manufactured and marketed Monet and Marvella costume jewelry. The Monet Group was purchased by Liz Claiborne Jewelry and no more Trifari items were made.
A level of prestige, as well as comfort, came with buying new Trifari jewelry. Into the 1990s, new product lines were regularly developed to anticipate fashion trends. Shape, size, texture, movement, and of course, color all factored into what was selected for production. Abstract and whimsical motifs, as well as classic, look-of-the-real ideas, went on sale.
One of the reason the Trifari name has endured was the company's emphasis on manufacturing quality. Every piece has both structural and material integrity and meets exacting standards for size, shape, color, and finish. Closures fit tightly, pieces designed to be adjustable are, plating shows a consistent color. Many people are unaware how much hand work each piece requires and that every single stone has been set with tweezers.
To create gold jewelry that looks and shines like the real thing, Trifari used 23k gold in its triple-plating process. Not only does it provide superior shine and tarnish resistance, but each piece matches previous purchases聴as well as precious 14k pieces a collector may already own.
Trifari jewelry isn聮t merely strong and good-looking; it聮s built to feel good on. Newer clip earrings feature Trifari聮s trademarked Comfort Clip, a secure, no-pinch back that adjusts to a woman聮s ear rather than the other way around.
Pierced-earring backs are smooth and tapered to slide right onto the ear. Customers with sensitive skin and those who insist on the purity of gold can find earrings with a 14k gold post. Others may prefer moderately priced, corrosion-resistant surgical steel earrings.
Trifari jewelry has many points of distinction, but perhaps the most noteworthy is its exceptional display of color. Stones, made from the highest quality Austrian lead crystal, sparkle with clarity and brilliance. To create enamel-look colors and accents, the designers hand-applied epoxy to prevent chipping, cracking, or peeling like cheaper brands.
Regardless of its metal or stone composition聴or its price聴each Trifari item is so well made that it聮s certain to remain brilliant and enduringly beautiful.
Orignal From: The Beauty of Trifari Jewelry
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