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 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 Diamond and Rock Crystal Half Link Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Darnestown, MD
Exquisite Seaman Schepps classic half link earrings made of diamonds and rock crystal. They are set in 18 karat white gold. Clip backs can easily be converted to posts. Signed and nu...
Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps Gold Swirl Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Darnestown, MD
Two half circles hug each other in these 14 karat gold earrings by Seaman Schepps. Each half circle has several striations for a bit of texture. The earrings have clip backs that can...
Gold, 14k Gold
Hungarian Amethyst and Pearl Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Unusual amethyst and pearl earrings from the early part of the 20th Century. Fancy cut amethysts and blister pearls are set in gilt silver ...
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Sapphire, Diamond and Pearl Dangle Earrings
Located in Nantucket, MA
A stunning pair of dangle earrings with a faceted, oval sapphire on the post surrounded by round, pave` set diamonds. Baguette and round diamonds comprise the chain as well as diamo...
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Amethyst and pearl earrings
Located in BOGOTÁ, CO
This whimsical pair of gold plated earrings feature Swarovski crystals and drop strands set with natural faceted Amethyst and freshwater pearls. Lightweight yet eye catching design ...
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold-filled, Base Metal
Marina J Multicolor Tourmaline Briolettes, Pearls and 14 k Yellow Gold Earrings
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of Chandelier Earrings by Marina J. This One of a Kind pair feature multi colored Tourmaline in a faceted Teardrop Briolette cut. The Tourmaline illuminate with radiant color when hit with light due to their translucent nature. The precious stones are suspended off a Flat Coin Pearl from solid 14k Yellow Gold wire. Both Pearls display a wonderful iridescent luster...
Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,600
W 0.75 in L 2.5 in
Michael Kneebone Aquamarine Tanzanite Zircon Diamond Pearl Chandelier Earrings
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A medley of blue gems are combined with diamonds and pearls is these distinctive chandelier earrings. Pear shaped aquamarine, tanzanite, zircon and blue topaz have been artfully ble...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Tanzanite, Zircon, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
Wendy Brandes Yellow Gold Dragon Earrings With Pearls, Diamonds, and Tsavorites
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
This one-of-a-kind pair of earrings was inspired by the 7th century's Empress Wu -- the only female ruler of China to refer to herself as “Emperor” during her reign. Historians changed it to “Empress” later. As happens to many powerful women -- in the past and the present -- Wu was referred to as a "dragon lady...
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Freshwater Pearl, Green Sapphire, Tsavor...
Flower 14k Gold Earrings with Amethyst
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Flower 14k gold earrings with Amethyst. Amethyst and carved mother of pearl earrings. Amethyst gold earrings. Gold earrings for girl.December birthstone ea...
Diamond, Pearl, Amethyst, 14k Gold
French 19th Century Coral and Pearl Cross Earrings
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A pair of large 18 carat gold earrings with cabochon corals and small half natural pearls in the shape of crosses, France, 19th century.
Natural Pearl, Coral, 18k Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k White Gold Pearl Diamond Bubble Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps "Bubble" earrings in 18k white gold, each featuring a cluster of various-sized round cultured pearls accented by round brilliant-cut diamonds. Twenty-two pearls rangin...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Claris-A Amethyst Emerald Gold Dangle Earrings
By Claris-A
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Stunning dangle Claris-A earrings that combine vibrant gemstones with exquisite craftsmanship. Each earring showcases a cushion-shaped amethyst and a square Colombian emerald, creati...
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
“Golconda” Earrings with Rock Crystal, Diamonds and Onyx, Signed Seaman Schepps
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Glamourous earrings that will suit any attire, compliments of esteemed American jewelry house Seaman Schepps. The design is centered upon two large faceted rock crystals, each framed...
Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Seaman Schepps Pearl, Diamond & 18k White Gold Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Two 13.35 mm investment quality white South Sea Pearls, two 5.20 mm white Button Pearls, Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds total weight approx. 4.32 cts (F-G color, VS clarity) set in 18k...
SEAMAN SCHEPPS Emerald and South Sea Pearl Ear clips
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Seaman Schepps 18KT gold ear clips with large South Sea pearls and detachable faceted emeralds. Seaman Schepps mark. 1 3/4 inches
SEAMAN SCHEPPS Amethyst Three-Stone Yellow Gold Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Amethyst Three-Stone Earrings by Seaman Schepps. With 6 cushion cut amethysts (dimensions of stones: 12mm x 11mm). Details: Weight: 16.2 grams Dimensions: 1" x...
Amethyst, 18k Gold