Trifari Goldtone Brooch

Trifari is one of the most collectible costume jewelry today, with pieces pre-dating 1947 being the most sought after.  This pristine brooch is from the 1950s-1960s.  I am personally a huge fan of Trifari pendants made in the 1960s-1970s which will of course be featured here in the future!  Trifari began as "Trifari and Trifari" in 1910, founded by Gustavo Trifari and his uncle.  Gustavo's uncle left a few years later, and the company became "Trifari."  In 1917 Leo Krussman joined the team, followed by Carl Fishel as head of sales in 1925, and Trifari was renamed Trifari, Krussman, and Fishel (KTF). 

What really lead Trifari to greatness was the outside designer Alfred Philippe, who became Trifari's head designer in 1930.  He had worked for high-end firms such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arples, but due to the depression, his creativity was stifled at these organizations due to the rough economic times.  After joining Trifari, he was able to freely create designs in less expensive metals, and Trifari (also struggling financially at this time) became a huge success.   

Alfred Philippe retired from Trifari in 1968, where he started as head designer and eventually became president.  He is attributed with making Trifari a leader in the costume jewelry industry.  Trifari was purchased by the Hallmark Jewelry Company in 1975, then by Crystal Brands in 1988.  A division of the Monet Group purchased Trifari in 1994 (The Monet Group was purchased by Liz Claiborne in 2000).  Today, like Monet jewelry, Trifari jewelry is now mass produced and available in department stores under its original name. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.etsy.com/ is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:

Collector's Index. Retrieved on 1/15/2001 from http://www.collectorsindex.com/information/trifarijewelryhistory.html

Estate Jewelry International. Retrieved on 1/15/2011 from http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/articles/article/1633100/23027.htm