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 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
Seaman Schepps 14K Gold Pearl Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Flushing, NY
Seaman Schepps 14K Gold Pearl Earrings Marked: Seaman Schepps Approximate Dimensions: 2.7 cm (Length) 2.5 cm (Width) 19.4 grams in weight.
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Seaman Schepps Half Link Wood and Pink Moonstone Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Darnestown, MD
Elegant and unusual pink moonstone and wood (probably ebony) half link earrings by Seaman Schepps. The pink moonstones are a wonderfully warm color that plays off beautifully with th...
Moonstone, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps 1970s Aquamarine Pearl White Gold Ear Clips
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
These gorgeous 1970s ear clips were designed and manufactured by the renown American jeweler Seaman Schepps. The 18 karat white gold earrings are centrally set with 2 white and extre...
Aquamarine, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Seaman Schepps 14 Karat Yellow Gold Turquoise And Bakelite Cuff Bangle
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
This Seaman Schepps architectural bracelet from the 1950s is a true testament to the unique design aesthetics of that era. Crafted in 14k yellow gold and featuring elements of bakeli...
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 14k 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 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 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...
$30,760Sale Price|20% Off
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
Vintage Seaman Schepps Aquamarine Swirl Clip on 18K Yellow Gold Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in beverly hills, CA
Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold Aquamarine Swirl Earrings showcasing faceted oval shaped aquamarine, accented by textured gold leaf petals. Total estimated w...
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$27,960Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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
Vintage 18K White Gold Seaman Schepps Diamond and Bone Half Link Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This vintage pair of signed and numbered Seaman Schepps half link bone and diamond earrings is the epitome of this maker's unique style. Renowned for creating perennially fascinatin...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 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 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 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 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
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