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 Multistone Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Darnestown, MD
Stunning and most unusual multistone bracelet by Seaman Schepps. Lapiz lazuli; coral; cat's eye; jade; onyx and carnelian are set in round, oval and rectangular bezels creating a rou...
Carnelian, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Turquoise, Cat’s Eye, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k Yellow Gold Red Carnelian Medium Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps medium link bracelet, featuring 18k yellow gold links alternating with carved red carnelian links. One link is a hidden style clasp with a push closure mechanism and ...
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Turbo Shell Pearl and Yellow Gold Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980 Seaman Schepps Classic Turbo Shell Bracelet, measuring 8 1/8 inches in length and 3/4 inch wide, 14k Yellow Gold with Grayish Pink Turbo Shells and 9 M.M Culture Pearls. C...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli & Turquoise Torsade Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Lapis Lazuli & Turquoise Torsade Bracelet An 18 karat gold beaded bracelet consisting of 10 strands of gold beads, with beads of l...
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$27,500
W 0.88 in D 0.88 in L 6.75 in
Rare Substantial Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold Pyramid Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Impressive Seaman Schepps 18K yellow gold Pyramid bracelet 20th Century Provenance: Estate of a prominent New York socialite This rare, stunning...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold White Ceramic and Gold Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Seaman Schepps bracelet crafted in 18K yellow gold and white ceramic, showcasing the brand’s signature sculptural link design. Measuring 7.25 inches long, it drapes comfortably on th...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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 & Chalcedony Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
The Bracelet: Designed as a series of alternating eighteen karat yellow gold and carved chalcedony curblinks. It measures 7 3/8 inches in length and 1 inch wide; it weights 75.5 gram...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$30,760Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.88 in L 7.25 in
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
$3,625
Elegant Pearl Bracelet
Located in Cedar Grove, NJ
This elegant pearl bracelet is a one-of-a-kind piece that blends timeless sophistication with modern design. Unlike traditional bracelets, this beauty features multiple layers of lum...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Alex Jona Coral Turquoise Lapis Lazuli Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, Coral Turquoise Lapis Lazuli cuff bracelet with a 18 karat brushed yellow gold clasp. Dimensions: L 17 cm / 6.69 in - H 2 cm / 0....
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Wide Rock Crystal Onyx Diamond Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Seaman Schepps Wide Rock Crystal Onyx Diamond Link Bracelet A gorgeous bracelet by Seaman Schepps comprising a series of carved rock crystals connected by onyx links, embellished with brilliant round diamonds. Diamond carat weight is approx. 6.00 carats total. Measures approx. 8" in length, with inner circumference approx. 6.75". Width approx. 1.50". Each crystal link measures approx. 1.30" by 1.50". with "750" assay mark as well as makers mark of Seaman Schepps; circa 2000. Yafa Signed...
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Coral Pearl Baroque Bead Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps "Baroque" bead bracelet, featuring multicolored carved coral and round cultured pearls connected by gold wire. Signed with Seaman Schepps signature shell motif maker's...
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Trianon Pearl Ruby Bracelet with Yellow Gold Clasp Bead Multi Strand Diamond
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Lovely pearl with ruby accents bracelet created by Trianon. Chic, elegant and wearable, the bracelet is a great edition to your jewelry collection. The bracelet is made of eight pear...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Coral and Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York City, NY
Chic and unusual yellow gold and coral cuff bracelet, from the "50's" collection by Seaman Schepps. It consists of an array of rich hued c...
Coral, 18k Gold