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 Shepps Five Curb-Chain Link Cuff In 18K Yellow Gold
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
The Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold Five Link Bracelet is a stunning piece of jewelry that exemplifies exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Made from lustrous 18K yellow gol...
18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Blue Zircon and Diamond Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Created in the late 20th century, this blue zircon and diamond bracelet by Seaman Schepps is set in 18K white gold. The broad bracelet of freeform, abstract design is set with circul...
Diamond, Zircon, Blue Zircon, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold 3 Row Link Bracelet
Located in Boston, MA
A stunning exemplar of mid-20th century jewelry artistry, this vintage bracelet from the 1940s-1950s era exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. Masterfully crafted in rich 18k ...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Cornucopia Gemstone Cuff Bracelet
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This striking vintage cornucopia cuff bracelet is a celebration of abundance and color. Crafted in rich 18K yellow gold, the bold design spills over with a vivid array of 15 deep blu...
Diamond, Peridot, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Iconic Yellow Gold and Ebony Wood link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold and Ebony Wood Link Bracelet. The original Classic design made famous by Seaman Schepps! Measuring 8 1/2 inches in length and 1 inch wide.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 18k Yellow Gold Makers Cuff Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This large size cuff bracelet is crafted by Tiffany & Co. in 18k yellow gold, featuring a sleek and minimalist design that showcases the beauty of high-karat gold. The smooth, po...
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
CHANEL Vintage Gold Link Curb Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Bellevue, WA
DETAILS: Hallmark: CHANEL Made in France Gold Plated The bracelet is in good condition showing minimal wear Comes with box IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This item is a pre-owned vintage pi...
Gold
$16,977
W 2.6 in L 2.21 in
Blue Sapphires Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Waves Cuff Bracelet Made In Italy
By Botta gioielli
Located in Milano, IT
Breath-taking cuff bracelet inspired by the harmonious grace of ocean waves handcrafted in 18 karat white gold. Depicting waves throughout each of the stems, the bracelet is dotted w...
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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
Chanel Vintage Wide Gold Curb Link Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Bellevue, WA
DETAILS: Hallmark: CHANEL Made in France Collection 23 Gold Plated The bracelet is in good condition showing minimal wear Comes with box IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This item is a pre-ow...
Gold
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Curb Link Chain Bracelet
Located in London, GB
An 18 karat (18K) yellow gold curb link chain bracelet with hollow curb links and a spring ring clasp. Fitted with a safety chain to the clasp. Stamped with the French import mark an...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gold Cuff Bracelet Chain Link Chunky Open Cuff Mixed Link Sculptural Vintage
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gold Cuff Bracelet Chain Link Chunky Open Cuff Mixed Link Sculptural Vintage Designer: J DAUPHIN Gold cuff bracelet in gold plated brass, a one of a kind vintage 2008 piece by J Da...
Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
$6,322 / item
H 2.01 in W 2.33 in
Sacchi Black and White Diamonds Gemstone 18 Karat Yellow Gold Modern Bracelet
By Sacchi Gioielli
Located in Rome, IT
Satin Yellow Gold Modern Bracelet embellished with Black and White Diamonds, from Sacchi’s Anemones Collection, hand-crafted with lost-wax casting technique. Lost-wax casting, one o...
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Seaman Schepps 18k Gold Wood Cuff
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage Seaman Schepps 18k Gold Wood Cuff. 5.5 inch inner circumference with a 1 1/8" opening for your wrist to put the cuff on. The beautiful wooden cuff features 7 twisted gold lin...
18k Gold
SEAMAN SCHEPPS Yellow Gold, Diamond and Multicolored Stone Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, amethyst, green tourmaline, pink tourmaline, aquamarine, citrine and diamond bracelet, Seaman Schepps, circa 1990s. Fashioned as four rows of carved multi g...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 'Nantucket Lightship' Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Seaman Schepps Nantucket Lightship cuff bracelet crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Taking its inspiration from the Nantucket basket,...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Ebony Wood Cuff
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Solid ebony wood cuff with accenting 18K yellow gold rope twists. Signed by Seaman Schepps.
18k Gold
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...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Seaman Schepps 18 Karat Yellow Gold Aquamarine, Sapphire, Diamonds Jazz Cuff
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
A Jazz Cuff in Aquamarine, Sapphire, and Diamond set in 18K Yellow Gold. Signed Seaman Schepps. "Jazz" cuff bracelet, designed in high-polished 18k yellow gold accented by round fac...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Multistone 1950s Cuff Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Darnestown, MD
The "50's Cuff" is the Seaman Schepps 21st century version of a mid 20th century style. The wide bracelet is totally covered with semi precious stones in a variety of shapes and size...
Amethyst, Citrine, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Oversized Gold Three-Link Cuff
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Greenwich, CT
You will be forever linked-in when wearing this chunky Seaman Schepps yellow gold cuff. With three intertwined and oversized links, this statement cuff is a chic and architecturally...
18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Fabulous 1950s Gold Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1950s, 14k, by Seaman Schepps, American. A very stylish example of American jewelry fashion, this yellow gold fifties bracelet from the esteemed New York jewelry house, Seama...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Multi Gemstone Cuff Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An instant classic, compliments of iconic jewelry designer Seaman Schepps. The high polished 18 karat yellow cuff is adorned with 90.76 carats of faceted a...
Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Gemstone Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An instant classic, compliments of iconic jewelry designer Seaman Schepps. The high polished 18 karat yellow cuff is adorned with cabochons of chalcedony, ...
Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Moonstone, Topaz, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Gold "Five Link” Cuff Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An instant classic, compliments of iconic jewelry designer Seaman Schepps. High polished links of 18 karat yellow gold adorn your wrist in a classic cuff ...
18k Gold