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.
TRIFARI signed vintage gold tone pink lucite drop designer pierced earrings
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed TRIFARI • gold tone with lucite • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sku 61 ❤️...
Striking Trifari Crystal Pendant Drop Earrings
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Imposing and striking articulated Trifari Crystal Drop Earrings from the 1960's. Clip earrings with a grid of pave work set within a gold...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Trifari Gold Tone Faux Turquoise Drop Earrings, Circa 1980s
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Trifari Gold Tone with Faux Turquoise Earrings Circa 1980s. These small but chic earrings feature a drop piece, and on top are three pieces of diamanté that enhance the look...
Mixed Metal
Trifari Late 1950s Rhinestone Vintage Drop Earrings
By Trifari
Located in Skelmersdale, GB
These elegant earrings were created by Trifari in the late 1950s. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... These rhodium plated metal drop design earrings are set with round, o...
Diane Love for Trifari Ancient Chinese Motif Earrings
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Diane Love for Trifari Ancient Chinese Motif clip earrings with bronze finish bats with hammered gold link drops. 1.75" x 1.25". Diane Love created a line of Artist jewels based on ...
Gilt Metal
Trifari Faux Emerald Hoop Earrings
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Trifari Faux Emerald Hoop Earrings from the 1960's. Finest quality faux jewelry by the best maker of the period with glass stones simulating f...
Rhodium
Trifari Dangling Grape Tremblant Earrings
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Charming Trifari Dangling Grape Tremblant Earrings with clip back fittings. Bow cap is decorated with crystal baguettes with a bunch of dangling fau...
Rhodium
18 Karat Yellow Gold Drop Dangle Earrings with 10.02 Carat Citrines and Diamonds
By Eva Soussana
Located in Paris, FR
Designed by Eva Soussana, artist and founder of Hera-Jewellery, these sensual, elegant and refined drop/ dangle earrings from the "Eva" Collection were inspired by the famous "Dormeu...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Deco Pear shaped emeralds and mixed shape diamond earrings in white gold
By Ri Noor
Located in Houston, TX
Clean lines and modern elegance with heirloom quality! True to Rinoor's promise of sourcing the finest gemstones and blending them with exceptional craftsmanship, these earrings are ...
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
$238Sale Price|20% Off
Two Tone Ornate Ottoman Style 4" Drop Earrings With Glass Cabochons, 1980s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '80s - Each earring measures 4" long - Antique gold tone and silver tone - Amber, amethyst purple and chartreuse glass...
1980s Mixed Stone Drop Earrings
Located in Alford, MA
Vogue Bijoux drop earrings, the oval earpiece of a central mabe pearl framed by rhinestones suspending a ribbed, round blue stone topped by graduated ...
Chanel CC Faux Pearl Quilted Gold Tone Drop Earrings
By Chanel
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33301742 Comes With Box Only Date 2010 Model CC Collection Serial Number 10V Metal Gold-Plated, Gilt Weight 4.58 g Condition Excellent Other Info Diameter: Approximately 1.2cm - ...
Gilt Metal
18 Karat Yellow Gold Drop Earrings Set with 30.12 Carat Citrines and Diamonds
By Eva Soussana
Located in Paris, FR
Designed by Eva Soussana, artist and founder of Hera- Jewellery, these very refined drop/ dangle earrings from the "Sophia" Collection with its bare stones, were inspired by the 19th...
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Wave ear climbers with pear shaped emeralds and brilliant cut diamonds
By Ri Noor
Located in Houston, TX
Clean lines and modern elegance with heirloom quality! True to Rinoor's promise of sourcing the finest gemstones and blending them with exceptional craftsmanship, these earrings are ...
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Drop Dangle Earrings with 13.47 Carat Moonstones and Tourmalines
By Eva Soussana
Located in Paris, FR
Designed by Eva Soussana, artist and founder of Hera-Jewellery, these elegant, refined and classic drop dangle earrings from the “Audrey” Collection were inspired by the famous "Dorm...
Moonstone, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings Set with 29.96 Carat Prasiolites and Diamonds
By Eva Soussana
Located in Paris, FR
Designed by Eva Soussana, artist and founder of Hera-Jewellery, these sensual, elegant and refined drop/ dangle earrings from the "Sophia" Collection were inspired by the famous "Dor...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,300 / item
Aquamarine Drop Earrings 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Aquamarine Drop Earrings in 18K White Gold featuring Custom-Cut Pear Drops of Shimmering Aquamarine Aquamarine: 13.11cts 18k White Gold: 5.78g From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection...
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,500 / item
Lavender Quartz Waterfall Earrings in 18k White Gold
By Karma El Khalil
Located in New York, NY
Ethereal Ombre Lavender Waterfall Earrings in 18k white gold, featuring ten graduating custom-cut cabochons of Lavender Quartz. Each earring displays five cabochons of lavender quartz gracefully decending in to a single trillion-cut blue-violet Iolite point. 18k White Gold Lavender Quartz : 36.65cts Iolite : 0.19cts From Karma El Khalil's Conversations With The Moon Collection
Iolite, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Drop Dangle Earrings with 8.43 Carat Moonstones and Tourmalines
By Eva Soussana
Located in Paris, FR
Designed by Eva Soussana, artist and founder of Hera-Jewellery, these elegant, refined and classic drop dangle earrings from the “Audrey” Collection were inspired by the famous "Dorm...
Moonstone, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
Sapphire Baguette Crystal Cocktail Drop Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1950s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the mid-century - Each earring measures 2.25" x .75" - Silver tone "Trifarium platinum" plated - Encrusted with sapphire b...
Textured Gold Interlocking Rings Drop Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 2.5" x 1" - Gold plated - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1960s - Estate acquired - Good vintage cond...
Trifari Pastel Rhinestone Flower Pierced Earrings
By Trifari
Located in Atlanta, GA
Flower power Trifari style! Beautiful gold tone flower earrings accented by pastel blue and lilac rhinestones anchoring faceted crystal drops. Outfitted with pierced post hardware ...
Gilt Metal
Trifari 1980s Gold Plated Green and Lilac Glass Sun Face Star Clip On Earrings
By Trifari
Located in London, GB
Lovely Trifari 1980s gold plated clip on earrings, featuring green and lilac glass surrounding a star, dropping from a sun face design top. Measuring diameter 2.8cm / 1.1 inches. These unusual quality vintage Trifari earrings...
Sold
W 0.75 in D 0.4 in L 22 in
Gilt chain and coloured pastes 'sphere' necklace and earrings, Trifari, 1960s.
By Trifari
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
A beautiful, smart, French style 'sautoir' necklace, with matching drop earrings (clip fitting) from Trifari. Set with Royal blue and fuschia pink pastes, the 'spheres' highlight and...
Gilt Metal
Art Deco style paste drop earrings, Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
Part of a collection of jewels produced by Trifari from the 1960s in the Art Deco style, these beautiful earrings,made of paste and high quality moulded plastic, set in rhodium plate...
Rhodium, Base Metal
Trifari Pave Floral Hoop Earclips
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Unusual pave earrings by Trifari with leaf and floret motifs. The hoops are made of tiny flower buds and move independantly from the leaf motif on ear. USA 1950's. Excellent condition.
Base Metal
Trifari Rhinestone drops, clip
By Trifari
Located in Sparks, NV
Description: So classic! These beauties will never go out of style.Trifari clip rhinestone drops 3" long X 3/4 wide at widest point. Signed. circa 1960s. ...