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Seaman Schepps

A scrappy, self-made artist who transformed turbo shells into decadent earrings and crystal chessmen into bold bracelets, Seaman Schepps (1881–1972) tirelessly worked his way up from the tenements of New York’s Lower East Side to become “America’s Court Jeweler.”

Born to immigrant parents who named him for the Seamen’s Bank for Savings that his mother could see from the hospital — or so the legend goes — Schepps dropped out of school at the age of 14 and never had any formal jewelry training. He later moved to California, where he opened his first jewelry shop in 1904. In 1921, he returned to New York to build on the success he’d begun to enjoy as a jeweler on the West Coast, but it wasn’t long before his Manhattan house, which counted Broadway stars and theater patrons among its clientele, was hit hard by the stock market crash of 1929. Schepps used this disruption to rethink his approach to jewelry, debuting a new store in 1934 on Madison Avenue, where he would make his mark in playful custom adornments.

While many high-end jewelers of his era focused on the purest and most valuable gemstones, Schepps chose his materials for their color and shape, elevating flawed stones others disregarded in collage-like formations involving unconventional materials such as fine wood, coral, seashells and flea-market finds. Passersby of his New York City shop could find a frog-shaped brooch carved from rosewood, a vintage snuff bottle broken into links for a bracelet and loose-drilled pearls plugged with diamonds. Schepps’s whimsical pieces found fans in fashion icons who appreciated his unique statements, including Doris Duke, Andy Warhol and the Duchess of Windsor.

Following Schepps’s death in 1972, his daughter, jewelry designer Patricia S. Vaill, ran the jewelry house for two decades before it was taken over by Jay Bauer and Anthony Hopenhajm of Trianon jewelry. Following the closure of the company’s Park Avenue store in November 2020, sales for Seaman Schepps is now based in its boutique location out of Palm Beach, Florida, where the legendary brand carries forth its founder’s spirited designs.

On 1stDibs, find a distinctive collection of vintage Seaman Schepps jewelry, including brooches, bracelets and other accessories.

Average Sold Price
$4,803
Styles
Related Creators
Elegant Seaman Schepps White Gold Pearl and Diamond Flexible Cuff Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This lovely flexible, pearl and diamond cuff by Seaman Schepps is as elegant as it is comfortable to wear. The nature of the flexible links, with the open back design, allow for a ra...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Seaman Schepps

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Seaman Schepps Wood, White Ceramic and Gold Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
This is a Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold Walnut Wood, White Ceramic And Gold Link Bracelet. Crafted in a signature curb link style. Length: 7.75 inche...
Category

20th Century American Modern Seaman Schepps

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold Coral Mother of Pearl Diamond, Morganite Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 18K yellow gold Diamond: 26 round brilliant cut = 0.43cttw Color: G Clarity: VS1-2 Dimensions: bracelet measures 6.5-inches in length Weight: 122.16 grams
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Seaman Schepps

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Morganite, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Seaman Schepps Squared Earrings 18Kt Yellow Gold 24.40 Cts Diamonds Rock Quartz
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Miami, FL
Square gems set earrings designed by Seaman Schepps. Nice vintage pair created in New York city at the Seaman Schepps atelier, back in the 1980. These squa...
Category

1980s American Modernist Vintage Seaman Schepps

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Seaman Schepps Yellow Gold and Wood Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2005 Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold and Wood Link Bracelet. Measuring 8 1/2 inches in length and 1 inch wide. This is in Excellent near unworn condition and comes in the origin...
Category

Early 2000s Seaman Schepps

Materials

18k Gold

Seaman Schepps Gold Swirl Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Darnestown, MD
Two half circles hug each other in these 14 karat gold earrings by Seaman Schepps. Each half circle has several striations for a bit of texture. The earrings have clip backs that can...
Category

1960s American Retro Vintage Seaman Schepps

Materials

Gold, 14k Gold

Seaman Schepps Gold Swirl Earrings
Seaman Schepps Gold Swirl Earrings
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W 1 in L 0.88 in
Seaman Schepps White Coral Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Seaman Schepps coral necklace with diamonds and sapphires. Circa 1980's.
Category

1980s American Vintage Seaman Schepps

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Sapphire

Seaman Schepps Pearl and Diamond Gold Brooch
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Darnestown, MD
Elegant Retro broch by Seaman Schepps from the mid-20th century. The floral brooch is set in 14 karat gold, an indication of its age. Schepps did not change to the use of 18 karat go...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Retro Seaman Schepps

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Seaman Schepps Pearl and Diamond Gold Brooch
Seaman Schepps Pearl and Diamond Gold Brooch
Free Shipping
W 1.75 in L 2.5 in
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Creators Similar to Seaman Schepps

Seaman Schepps jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Seaman Schepps jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Seaman Schepps jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Seaman Schepps diamond jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 60, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 172 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co., and Verdura. Prices for Seaman Schepps jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,375 and tops out at $125,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $10,583.

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