One of my very good finds was a 1950 Trifari faux moonstone and sapphire necklace that someone had put curbside...but that's another tale. For my all-time best buy, it has to be the rhinestone, pearl, and blue-black enameled parure that I bought on eBay several years ago that turned out to be a set from Trifari's Empress Eugenie Series.
Designed by Trifari's premiere designer, Alfred Philippe, in 1940, the series was one of several based on the crown jewels of Empress Eugenie. I've seen the necklace elsewhere online, but without the three drops. My necklace has alternating pave rhinestone links, another variation to the other one I've seen where the links are all goldtone. It must have hardly been worn--it's in pristine condition.
The bracelet has the same beautiful pave rhinestone, pearl, and blue-black enameling. The earrings are screw back style, though I've since acquired a clam shell shape in this series also that are clip.
How good a price did I get? My lips are sealed, but I will admit that I was the only bidder. ;D It was listed simply as "Pearl Necklace Set" and it had two exceedingly crummy, blurry pictures. While I didn't know it was Trifari at the time I bought it, I could at least tell it was likely quality workmanship--even in the blur, it seemed there was a lot of 'texture' in the design. When I opened up the blue velvet display box it arrived in I was speechless with delight. At the time I hadn't been collecting Trifari very long, but I could tell it was an old and exceptional set. A little research confirmed that, and established Trifari as my favorite of all the old designer jewelry companies.
So tell me, what's your favorite buy/story?
My story is not that interesting but i'll tell it anyway. Actually I didn't have to go too far away. I found the most beautful ring in my grandmother's old jewelry box. I wear it all the time.
ReplyDeleteYour story is awesome; how wonderful to have something you love from your grandmother's jewelry box! Thanks for posting!
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