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VINTAGE JEWELRY DESIGNERS - B Ballet: Nothing definite could be found on this company. Were in business at least as far back as the 1950s. It is known that DeLizza and Elster did manufacture some of the Ballet jewelry. The known pieces are brooches and clamper bracelets with rhinestones and aurora borealis stones. Barclay: Barclay was a prolific manufacturer of costume jewelry in the 1940s and 1950s and sold its jewelry through better department stores. Much of their jewelry is of average quality. Marked pieces are not very common, but would be signed Barclay on clips or clasps. The Barclay trademark should not be confused with McClelland Barclay. B. David: Founded in 1945 in Cincinnati, Ohio, it is still in business. The jewelry is usually above average in quality and materials. Usually signed B.David inside an oval frame, b.David in a square or bd. Ballou & Company: Founded in 1876 by Barton Ballou in Providence Rhode Island and manufactured primarily gold, gold filled and plated findings and jewelry. Known for its speciality medals and lapel pins. Signed with a Circle with either a Star with a B inside, the name Ballou or BAB inside. Beau/Beaucraft: (*pr: BOW) Beau and Beaucraft are registered trademarks of Beaucraft, Inc. founded in 1947 in Providence, Rhode Island. They manufactured sterling silver jewelry and jewelry made of 14K gold. This company is still in business. Beaujewels: Beaujewels is the trademark for Bowman Foster, Inc. who were in business from the 1950s to the 1970s. Flowers and leaves are recurring motifs, as well as fruit salad stones. Beaujewels is usually of above-average quality. Bell Trading Post: Founded circa 1930s in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Specialized in production of copper, mixed metal and silver jewelry. Ceased operations in late 1980s. Signed BELL, the image of a bell and a bell hanging from a post. Bergere: (pr: BEAR Zhere) Bergere is the trademark of Herbert & Pohs Inc. founded in New York City circa 1947 and in business until the mid 1960s Their jewelry exhibits fine workmanship and quality designs. Block, Fred A.: Fred A. Block made costume jewelry from the 1930s to 1950s initially to promote and accessorize their clothing lines. Many of their pieces are made in high-quality vermeil sterling silver and with colorful enameling and large rhinestones or beads. Bogoff: (pr: BOW goff) Bogoff is the trademark of the Spear Novelty Co. founded in Chicago in 1946 and in busines until the 1960s. Their jewelry was elegantly crafted with quality materials, usually had rhodium backing and handset stones and imitated high-end jewels. Their jewelry is signed Bogoff or Jewels by Bogoff. Bond Boyd: No definitive information regarding location and dates of manufacture although most of the jewelry appears to have been made 1940 through 1950s. Made sterling silver and vermeil jewelry. Boucher: (pr: BOO shay) Marcel Boucher was born in France and trained as an apprentice to Cartier. He was transferred to their New York branch in 1922 and continued working in fine jewelry until the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The Great Depression of the 1930s forced Boucher to transfer his considerable talents to the costume jewelry industry that employed more affordable materials. During the 1930s, he designed for the Mazer Brothers in New York. In 1937, he established the Marcel Boucher and Cie Company in New York. Boucher produced some the most exquisite costume jewelry until it became a subsidiary of the Dovorn Industries around 1972. Marcel Boucher died in 1965, but his second wife Sandra Semensohn controlled the company until 1972. the jewelry is marked MB, Marboux (an earlier mark), Marcel Boucher or just Boucher. Most Boucher jewelry also carries an inventory number. Brooks: Based on the material and designs of Brooks jewelry, it msut have been manufactured in the 1960s and the 1970s. Most is made of light goldtone metal enhanced by rhinestones. Usually marked Brooks with a copyright symbol on a raised rectangular portion on the back of each piece. BSK: BSK was based in New York from the 1950s to the early 1970s. Most of their jewelry is of average quality with some interesting and original designs. Buccellati: (pr: BOOSH a lot ey) Buccellati Inc. was the manufacturer of antiqued silvertone jewelry in thick, chunky metal which gives the impression of aged silver. Usually marked Mario Buccellati or just Buccellati in script. Our of busines sometime in the 1970s. Bugbee & Niles Company: Founded in 1896 in Providence, Rhode Island. Manufacturer of gold and silver jewelry. Ceased operations by 1943. Jewelry is marked B&N. Butler & Wilson: Nicky Butler and Simon Wilson started marketing their own jewelry based on reproductions of period styles in the early 1970s in London. They have since split up. I have seen Nicky Butler selling jewelry on one of the home shopping channels recently. |
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