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 Classic Large Link Bracelet 18uk Gold Rock Crystal
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A Classic Large Link Bracelet by Seaman Schepps, crafted in 18k gold and translucent rock crystal, designed with an alternating link pattern. Each link has a smooth, rounded profile,...
Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Contemporary H-Link Bracelet
Located in Ridgefield, CT
Modern minimalism meets timeless elegance in this striking 18k white gold chain bracelet, featuring a contemporary twist to the classic h-link design. The clean, geometric silhouette...
18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
Ippolita 18k Yellow Gold Rock Crystal Bangle, Circa 2000, Italy
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive rock crystal and 18k yellow gold bangle by Ippolita; part of our diverse gemstone jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive rock crystal bangle ...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$55,090Sale Price|30% Off
David Webb 18 Karat Yellow Gold Rock Crystal Link Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold and Rock Crystal Open-Link Bracelet. A striking bracelet by David Webb, crafted in 18K yellow gold and set with bold faceted rock crystal links. Measuring...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k 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 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 White Gold Diamond Rock Crystal Bracelet, 15ct
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Seaman Schepps Diamond And Rock Crystal Bracelet In 18k White Gold. The bracelet consists of 6 rock crystal curb links, and 6 18k gold curb links encrusted with round brilliant cut d...
Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
14K Gold Large Link Bracelet: Chunky Chain Bracelet
By Rose and Choc
Located in Wallingford, CT
14k Gold Large Chain Bracelet Bracelet Length: 8.5 inches Gold Weight: 15.54 grams
14k Gold
Cartier, Paris, 1926, 18K Gold, Coral & Rock Crystal Bracelet, by Georges Lepape
By Cartier
Located in Paris, FR
Cartier, Paris Stunning 18k Gold, Coral and Rock Cristal, Circa 1926 Three coral stones and three round pieces of rock crystal, linked by gold chains. Signed Cartier and numbered. L...
Coral, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps 22K Yellow Gold Mousetrap Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
A striking Seaman Schepps Mousetrap bracelet crafted in luxurious 22K yellow gold, showcasing one of the house’s most recognizable and playful designs. The bracelet is composed of fl...
Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Link Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold twisted wire link bracelet. Dimensions 7.48 in. L x 0.28 in. W - 19 cm. L x 7 mm. W. Alex Jona jewels stand ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Gold Minoan-Inspired Basket Link Bracelet
By Romae Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat Yellow Gold Minoan-Inspired Basket Link Bracelet by ROMAE Jewelry. This stunning bracelet is inspired by a Minoan gold example from the area of Knossos, Crete, dating to aro...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k Yellow Gold Ebony Wood Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps classic link bracelet, featuring polished 18k yellow gold links alternating with carved ebony wood links. Clasp: One link is a hidden style box clasp with a push clos...
Other, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k Gold Yellow Sapphire Carnelian Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps Classic Link Bracelet, designed as a curb link bracelet of alternating carved red carnelian and pavé yellow sapphires-set 18K yellow gold links. Clasp: Hidden style c...
Sapphire, Carnelian, Yellow Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vinatge Large Seaman Schepps Coral 18K Gold Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Miami, FL
Bold, vibrant, and unmistakably iconic, this Seaman Schepps bracelet showcases the designer's celebrated use of natural materials and oversized proportions. Crafted in luxurious 18K ...
Coral, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k White Gold Ebony Rock Crystal Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps large link bracelet, featuring 18k white gold links alternating with three black ebony wood and three carved rock crystal links. One link is a hidden style clasp with ...
Rock Crystal, Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Seaman Schepps Vintage Gold Curb Link Chain Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Classic Seaman Schepps curb link chain bracelet. Made of 18k (stamped) yellow gold. Stamped with Seaman Schepps maker's mark. Measurements: 8 1/4" L x 3/4" W. The weight is 36.5 grams.
Gold, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Gold and Wood Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Large and Bold 18K Yellow gold and Wood link Bracelet by Seaman Schepps, signed and numbered in original presentation box.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Carnelian Sapphire 18K Gold Necklace Earrings Set
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Toronto, ON
Seaman Schepps set consisting of 2 link bracelets (can be joined to create necklace) and matching earrings. 18K Yellow gold with round cut yellow sapphires and carnelian. Excellent c...