Trifari Jewelry
Costume jewelry maker Trifari is widely loved for its fine craftsmanship and complex designs for necklaces, brooches and other jewelry and accessories.
The company was formed in New York during the early 1920s, when its partners Gustavo Trifari (who descended from a family of jewelers), Leo Krussman and Carl Fishel (business associates in hair-ornament manufacturing) recognized, as other designers during the Art Deco era such as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had, that fashion trends for affordable jewelry for everyday wear represented an opportunity (and that the popularity of shorter hairstyles didn’t bode well for their haircomb business).
Initially called Trifari, Krussman and Fishel Jewelry (T.K.F.), the trio eventually shortened their brand’s name, at the suggestion of an advertising professional, to Trifari in order to evoke the romance of Gustavo’s native Italy.
The hiring of French designer Alfred Philippe as head designer in 1930 was pivotal to Trifari’s success. A master craftsman who had worked with both Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, Philippe set about establishing the same high-quality standards of materials and craftsmanship in the design of fashion jewelry and trained other Trifari artisans to do the same. Settings were delicate; crystals were hand set; designs, which sometimes featured dazzling floral motifs or exquisite depictions of marine life, were sophisticated and elegant, having both the look and feel of fine jewelry. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower wore a Trifari parure of faux pearls to her husband’s presidential inauguration in 1953 and Trifari glass pearls to his inaugural ball in 1957.
Before retiring in 1968, Philippe created Trifari’s most recognizable designs. In the 1930s, when the company was custom-making accessories for the stars of Broadway musicals, it was the crown motif: These brooches became so often identified with the brand that a crown was eventually incorporated into the trademark. In the 1940s, the “Jelly Bellies” inspired affection as well as knockoffs; these were animals, birds and insects sporting a “belly” of clear Lucite. Clip-Mates were another favorite and a technical marvel — two dress clips that, joined together, created a brooch.
Find a wide range of vintage Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s American Modernist Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gilt Metal
1960s American Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate, Enamel
1960s American Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1940s American Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gilt Metal
1950s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s American Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s Italian Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s Italian Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Mixed Metal
1950s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Mixed Metal
1960s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
20th Century Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
20th Century Trifari Jewelry
1980s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Mixed Metal
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1960s American Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Late 20th Century European Retro Trifari Jewelry
Base Metal
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1980s American Baroque Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1960s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Mixed Metal
1940s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Mid-20th Century Unknown Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s American Artisan Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Silver Plate
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1970s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1960s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1970s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1970s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold
1950s American Artisan Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gilt Metal
1960s American Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Enamel, Gilt Metal
1980s Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Mid-20th Century American Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1950s American Modern Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Gold Plate
1950s American Vintage Trifari Jewelry
Rhodium
Trifari jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Trifari
- Is Trifari real silver?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024Yes, some Trifari jewelry is real silver. However, most silver-toned pieces produced by the American jewelry maker are made from a proprietary tarnish-resistant metal alloy called Trifarium rather than sterling silver. The company’s fashion jewelry was pioneered by Alfred Philippe, who was hired as head designer in 1930, with the pieces that he and other Trifari artisans produced having both the look and feel of fine jewelry. Explore a collection of Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024Yes, Trifari did make real gold jewelry. Early pieces made between 1904 and 1946 often feature genuine gold. Trifari also produced a limited-edition genuine gold collection during the early 1970s. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Trifari jewelry from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify a Trifari crown, one option is to use trusted online resources. Trifari was famous for its crown logo, which it modified many times over the years. You can often determine approximately when your jewelry was made by looking at pictures of the crown logo from different eras. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also be helpful when completing the identification process. Shop a wide variety of Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Is Trifari jewelry still made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024No, Trifari jewelry is no longer made. In 1994, Liz Claiborne Group purchased the fashion jewelry brand. Over the years that followed, the brand was resold several times, and production of Trifari jewelry gradually declined until its discontinuation in the late 2000s. Shop an assortment of Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022One of the most highly sought after vintage jewelry brands, Trifari was in operation from the 1910s until the year 2000. After a long and colorful history, Trifari continues to make jewelry as a Liz Claiborne subsidiary. On 1stDibs, get the real deal and shop vintage Trifari jewelry from some of the top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024To tell how old Trifari jewelry is, use the maker's markings. The jewelry maker changed their maker's hallmarks many times over the years, so by comparing the marks present on your jewelry to information shared on trusted online resources, you can roughly calculate its age. For example, a piece marked “KTF” was most likely made in the 1920s or early ’30s, while one bearing a “TRIFARI PAT. PEND.” marking with no crown logo likely dates back to the late 1930s or ’40s. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also help you date your jewelry. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Trifari jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, Trifari was always diligent in marking its jewelry, and the mark has evolved over the years. There were a few pieces in the early years that went unmarked, but those pieces are extremely rare. Costume jewelry maker Trifari is widely beloved for its fine craftsmanship and complex designs for necklaces, brooches and other accessories. On 1stDibs, you can find a collection of authentic Trifari jewelry pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Is Trifari jewelry real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 5, 2024Whether Trifari jewelry is real gold depends on its age. Jewelry produced by the brand between 1904 and 1946 usually features genuine gold, but newer pieces typically do not. In 1947, the jewelry maker introduced a patented metal alloy. Its unique properties meant that the alloy would resist tarnishing, and accessories made with the alloy could be plated with other metals to create a gold- or platinum-toned finish. Trifari called this base metal Trifanium. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of vintage Trifari jewelry and other costume jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The difference between Trifari and Crown Trifari comes down to age. When Gustavo Trifari founded his eponymous jewelry house in 1904, the hallmark he used on pieces was a simple T. Around 1937, Trifari began adding a crown to its hallmarks. As a result, Crown Trifari jewelry tends to include newer vintage pieces, while regular Trifari jewelry includes both vintage and antique pieces. Explore a wide variety of Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Designer Alfred Philippe was the head designer for Trifari from 1930 until 1968. Philippe was also a designer for Cartier, Van Cleef and Arples and became very popular and well-known for his creations. One of his big fans was the First Lady of the United States, Mamie Eisenhower. Shop a collection of authentic Trifari jewelry and brooches from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.