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.
Iconic Large Seaman Schepps 18K Yellow Gold Pyramid Drop Link Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Estate Seaman Schepps 18K yellow gold Pyramid drop link earrings Marks: Seaman Schepps makers mark, 750 for 18K gold, inventory numbers The iconic pyramid design has inspired some of...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 14K Gold Ruby Turbo Shell Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Flushing, NY
Seaman Schepps 14K Gold Ruby Turbo Shell Earrings Marked: P.S.V OF Seaman Schepps 14K Approximate Dimensions: 2.5 cm ( Length) 2.1 cm (Width) 21 grams in weight.
Ruby, Gold, 14k 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...
Seaman Schepps 2000's Peridot Pearl 18K Gold Vintage Ear-Clip Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as multi-gem clusters featuring 10.5 mm round South Sea Pearls White in body color with moderate iridescence and good luster Mounted in pierced floral motif cups and accente...
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$8,984Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.75 in L 1 in
Seaman Schepps Bubble Earrings with Citrine, Amber and Pearl in 18K Yellow Gold
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Tampa, FL
A vibrant and sculptural pair of Seaman Schepps earrings showcasing the house’s signature approach to color, texture, and volume. Each earring is composed of an artful cluster of car...
Amber, Citrine, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ruby Heart Diamond Dangling Earrings in 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Earrings Specifications: Metal: 14k White Gold Earring Length: 0.80" Total Weight: 1.9 Grams Diamonds: 42 Setting: Prong Ruby Carat Weight: 0.50 Diamond Color: G-H Diamond ...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
$10,998
H 1.1 in W 0.64 in
Seaman Schepps Fifties 18k Gold Bezel Multi Color Gemstones Omega Hoop Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- Numerous Natural Genuine Gemstones - Multi Shapes - Bezel Set - Multi Colors Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 28.68 Grams Backing: Posts w/ Omega Closures (Pier...
18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Chain Link Drop Earrings
Located in Ridgefield, CT
A refined take on modern chain jewelry, these 18K yellow gold drop earrings feature an elegant interplay of polished and textured links. The design combines smooth, high-shine gold l...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Iconic Wood and Yellow Gold earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Seaman Schepps Famous 18K yellow Gold and Wood Earrings, measuring 1 3/8 inches in length and 3/4 inch wide and weighing 29 Grams. Having Omega clip backs to which a post ...
18k Gold, Yellow 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
14k Gold Earrings with Pear Rubies and Diamonds!
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14kt solid white gold earrings with pear natural rubies and diamonds. July birthstone earrings. Metal: 14k solid gold Total weight: 2.3 g. Size: 15.5 x 10 mm. Central stones: Natu...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Pearl Earrings In Recycled 18K Gold
By Cristina Cipolli Jewellery
Located in London, Richmond
Timeless and alluring upcycled pearl drop earrings, both precious and sustainable. Floating on a deliberately rough 18k recycled white gold chain, sleek freshwater pearls are retain...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
3-in-1 Amethyst/Citrine/Pearl Diamond 18K White Gold Drop Earrings Gift Set
Located in Wan Chai District, HK
Introducing our exquisite 3-in-1 Amethyst/Citrine/Pearl Diamond 18K White Gold Drop Earrings Gift Set, a captivating collection that offers three distinct looks in one. This versatil...
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Seaman Schepps Turbo Shell and Lapis Lazuli Gold Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
From Seaman Scheps, a pair of 18 karat yellow gold, turbo shell and Lapis Lazuli earrings. Each set with a white turbo shell, terminating in a Lapis Lazuli cabochon accented by gold ...
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto 18K Yellow Gold Pearl Drop Earrings, Unisex, Circa 2000
By Mikimoto
Located in Dallas, TX
From the famous designer Mikimoto, these lovely pierced/clip earrings are light and comfortable on the ear! Both earrings are stamped 750 (18 karat) and with the trademark for Mik...
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Seaman Scheeps Vintage Classic Turbo Shell Earclips
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Bethesda, MD
Classic turbo shell earclips from the 1960s by Seaman Schepps. The silvery-white shells with pink overtones are caressed in gleaming gold wire with a cabochon ruby terminal. Signed 'P.S.V. of Seaman Shepps...
Ruby, 14k Gold
Seaman Schepps coral 18k yellow gold shrimp earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Chic vintage Seaman Schepps earrings showcasing luminous white coral set in rich 18k yellow gold, highlighted by the designer’s signature hallmarks and timeless craftsmanship.
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Emerald and Sapphire Turbo Shell Clip On Earrings #18919
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Seaman Schepps Emerald Turbo Shell Clip On Earrings- These stunning "Turbo Shell" earrings by Seaman Schepps, made famous by Jackie Kennedy, feature natural shell and 18K yellow gol...
Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Aquamarine Diamond Drop Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps drop earrings, each featuring two cushion faceted natural aquamarines. Connecting the tops with the drop bottoms are four total round brilliant-cut diamonds. Omega-s...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sold
W 0.79 in L 1.03 in
Seaman Schepps Earrings Rock Crystal 18k Gold Large Square Cage Vintage Jewelry
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant pair of vintage Seaman Schepps rock crystal earrings set with rock crystal crafted in 18k yellow gold. The rock crystal ...
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Diamond Pe 18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Lustrous South Sea pearls exhibiting a soft silvery grey with pink and purple opalescence are suspended from similarly-shaped diamond tops. The earrings have a sophisticated and impo...
Diamond, White Gold
Seaman Schepps Carved Jadeite, Ruby and Freshwater Pearl Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A two inch long stack of carved jadeite and ruby, compliments of American jewelry icon Seaman Schepps. The rubies weigh 2.98 carats. Mounted in 18k yellow gold and currently clips, h...
Jade, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Rosewood and Gold Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Greenwich, CT
These elegant Seaman Schepps half link earrings feature a unique design of entwined warm rosewood and shiny cool 18 karat yellow gold resulting in a powerful two dimensional presence...
Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Freshwater Pearl Lapis Lazuli Chrysoprase Canton Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Measuring just hint under 2 inches and displaying a lovely pair of lustrous freshwater pearls capped with carved lapis end pieces and decorated with chrysoprase beads. Part of the &q...
Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Lapis Lazuli Emerald Chrysoprase "Canton" Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Measuring just hint under 2 inches and displaying a lovely pair of lustrous carved lapis end pieces and decorated with chrysoprase and emerald beads. Part of the "Canton" c...
Chrysophrase, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Gold Double Drop Link Earrings
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 ears in classic style. Further the impact and buy th...
18k Gold