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.
Seaman Schepps Pearl Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1990s, 18k, by Seaman Schepps, New York. These fabulous pearl earrings from Seaman Schepps are wonderfully dimensional and delightfully robust in size. The look, with its vis...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps 18 Karat Yellow Gold Clip On Shell Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Designer: SEAMAN SCHEPPS Title: Seaman Schepps 18 Karat Yellow Gold Clip On Earrings Style: Clip On Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Dimension: 1.04*0.79*0.67IN Weight: 19.7 Grams Conditi...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Sapphire, Diamond and Rock Crystal Ring, circa 1940
By Seaman Schepps
Located in London, GB
Sapphire, diamond and rock crystal ring, by Seaman Schepps circa 1940. A platinum and white gold ring vertically set with two hexagonal cabochon sapphires of differing sizes in collet settings with an approximate total weight of 4.00 carats, each encircled by a single row of forty eight round eight cut diamonds in bead settings with an approximate total weight of 0.70 carats, saddled over an inverted emerald-cut rock crystal, above an open gallery, flanked by tri-part shoulders, and on a square shank. UK finger size H 1/2. Seaman Schepps was born in New York City’s tenement-dominated Lower East Side in 1881, the son of Hungarian immigrants. Rising from these humble beginnings, he built a business that featured designs which drastically departed from the traditional modes of his day. These adventurous jewels came to define a new style that became popular with the elite of the 1930’s...
Diamond, Rock Crystal, Blue Sapphire, White Gold, Platinum
Seaman Schepps 1970 New York Grapes Brooch In 18Kt Gold With Wood & Carnelian
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Miami, FL
Rare brooch designed by Seaman Schepps. A jeweled colorful piece, created in New York city at the atelier of Seaman Schepps, back in the 1970's. This beautiful brooch has been craft...
Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold Bloodstone Wrapped Vintage Clip-On Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Designer: SEAMAN SCHEPPS Title: Seaman Schepps 18 Karat Yellow Gold Clip On Earrings Style: Clip On Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Dimension: 1¼ in* 1.13 inc Weight: 55.6 Grams Conditio...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Seaman Schepps Pin Set
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 14k yellow gold with Cabochon Rubies weighing a total of approximately 3.00 carats and Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.00 carat. Si...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s Seaman Schepps Ruby Beads Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted using 2 strands of Ruby beads with a 14k yellow gold clasp that features multi-color stones that include Diamonds, Peridots, Ruby, Kunzite and more. Signed by Seaman ...
Diamond, Kunzite, Peridot, Ruby, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps 1970 Fluted Rock Quartz Earrings 14kt Gold with 79.32cts Citrine
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Miami, FL
Fluted oval earrings designed by Seaman Schepps. Gorgeous and very unusual vintage pair created in New York city at the Seaman Schepps atelier, back in the 1970. These oval clips ea...
Citrine, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k Gold Chrysoprase Citrine Pearl Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A pair of 18k gold earrings by Seaman Schepps, adorned with chrysoprase, citrine, and 4mm pearls. The earrings have dimensions of 30mm by 23mm and are stamped with the Seaman Schepps...
Seaman Schepps Heart Leaf Motif Clip On Earrings Turquoise Centers 14 Karat Gold
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Fairfield, CT
Seaman Schepps Heart Leaf Motif Clip On Earrings Turquoise Centers 14 Karat Gold The Seaman Schepps Turquoise Heart and Leaf Earrings are a classic example of a naturalistic approac...
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Amethyst, Diamond and Pearl Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Pair of White Gold, Amethyst, Diamond and Pearl Clip-Earrings, each designed as a cluster of grapes, bezel-set old European-cut diamond fringe setting. 6 amethyst beads ap. 13.4 to 1...
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Seaman Schepps 2000's Peridot Pearl 18K Gold Vintage Ear-Clip Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as multi-gem clusters featuring 10.5 mm round South Sea Pearls White in body color with moderate iridescence and good luster Mounted in pierced floral motif cups and accente...
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 18K Gold Indian Divinity Brooch, Circa 1940, Gemset
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Napoli, IT
A stunning vintage brooch 1940 circa, signed Seaman Schepps Rare example of the early Seaman Schepps jewelry, hand crafted of solid 18 Kt Amaz...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Lapis Gold Link Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An instant classic, compliments of iconic jewelry designer Seaman Schepps. Hand carved links of lapis lazuli alternate with identical links of 18k yel...
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Chalcedony Clip on Cage Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Crafted by the chic American jeweler Seaman Schepps in 18 karat yellow gold, these striking earrings showcase luminous white translucent chalcedony, elegantly embraced by sculptura...
Chalcedony, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k Yellow Gold Nephrite Jade Cage Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
These Seaman Schepps Cage earrings feature polished cushion-shaped nephrite jade with a deep green hue cradled within 18k yellow gold rope-twist wi...
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Monumental Coral and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Tampa, FL
A pair of distinctive Seaman Schepps mid century earrings featuring carved coral wrapped in twisted 18 karat yellow gold. Designed and crafted by Seaman Schepps, these signature ear...
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 1970 Retro Necklace 14Kt Gold with 384.37 Ctw Rubies & Aquamarine
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Miami, FL
Rare multi gemstones necklace designed by Seaman Schepps. Colorful vintage piece, created in New York city at the atelier of Seaman Schepps, back in the early 1970's. This beautiful...
Aquamarine, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 14K White Gold 1970's Cabochon Ruby and Diamond Ring
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
"This ring by Seaman Schepps is of cluster design, set with cabochon and variously-cut rubies, and a pavé-set round brilliant-cut diamond leaf 14k white gold Signed P.S.V. of Seaman ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Seaman Schepps Floral Brooch with Cabochon Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, & Diamonds
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A beautifully handcrafted brooch designed by Seaman Schepps! The brooch features 17 old European cut Diamonds, set in 14K white gold, with cabochon cut Emeralds, Sapphires, and Rubi...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Clear Crystal Clip on Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Dallas, TX
Seaman Schepps Rock Crystal and Gold Braided Earrings. 50.1 Grams Marked Seaman Schepps 750 1699 1.25 inches length 1 inch width 18K yellow gold
Crystal, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Vintage Brooch 14k Gold Bakelite Seashell Pin Estate Jewelry
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A beautiful vintage Seaman Schepps brooch made of Bakelite and 14k gold. The seashell is an iconic Schepps shape for brooches. This vintage brooch pin is crafted of a dark blue Bakelite set in a gold frame. Twisted gold threads underline the shell curves. A striking color combo of the dark blue and bright yellow is making the brooch pop on a lapel, a scarf, or a bag. Like other Schepps creations, this vintage pin carries a Retro aesthetics and looks futuristic at the same time. Because of the oversized scale and organic shape, this Seaman Schepps brooch makes a great statement piece. The vintage seashell pin is made of carved Bakelite and 14 karat yellow gold. Stamped with Seaman Schepps maker's mark, hallmark for 14k gold. The vintage pin measures 2" x 1 7/8" (5 x 4.7 cm) and weighs 40.9 grams. About the Brand: Applying unconventional materials in jewelry making have been a signature of Seaman Schepps style. Since 1940s, such media as exotic wood, shell, rock crystal along with the precious stones have found a perfect place in the whimsical Schepps creations. Most of the time his pieces are chunky and featuring oversized details. The brand has specialized in making massive bangles, large curbside link necklaces and sculptural brooches. Vintage Seaman Schepps jewelry...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 1970 New York Rare Bracelet in 18Kt Gold with Red Coral and Pearl
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Miami, FL
Statement bracelet designed by Seaman Schepps. Magnificent vintage colorful piece, created in New York city by Seaman Schepps, back in the 1970. This one-of-a-kind flexible bracelet...
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Vintage 14k Gold and Citrine Large Brooch Fur Clip
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Bradenton, FL
SEAMAN SCHEPPS Fur Clip Brooch, crafted in 14K yellow gold free form brooch with large prong set light yellow oval cut Citrine Gemstone. Citrine approx. 23mm x 18mm, designed as a fl...
Citrine, 14k Gold
c.1950s SEAMAN SCHEPPS Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare and special brooch created by Seaman Schepps in the 1950s. Inspired by Asian motifs. It is 2.25" high and 2" wide.
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold