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 Iconic Yellow Gold and Ebony Wood Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Seaman Schepps 18k Yellow Gold and Ebony Wood Necklace, measuring 19 1/2 inches in length and 1 inch wide. The classic design made famous by Seaman Schepps.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Lapis Gold Link Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
An instant classic, compliments of iconic jewelry designer Seaman Schepps. Hand carved links of lapis lazuli alternate with identical links of 18k yel...
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 3 Carat Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 3 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold necklace; part of our diverse diamond jewellery and estate jewelry co...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Gold Marquise Double Link Necklace
By Christina Addison
Located in New York, NY
18kt Yellow Gold Marquise Double Link Necklace finished at 17" with a snap clasp closure. The larger marquise links are approximately 1" long a...
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Gold Coin And Diamond Necklace In 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Gold Coin And Diamond Necklace In 18k Yellow Gold. ( Bvlgari style) The necklace features 1907 $5 Liberty Gold Coin bezel set in the center, surrounded by a halo of 25 round brillia...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Multi Gem Gold Link Necklace
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and colorful link necklace of emerald, yellow sapphire, pink tourmaline, and tanzanite baroque shaped nuggets weighing a total of 415.70 carats, finished with caps and li...
Vintage Seaman Schepps Pearl 3 Strand Necklace w/ Synthetic Spinel Gold Clasp
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- Numerous Genuine Cultured Potato Pearls - Near Round Bead Shape -Cream Color w/ Pink Overtone - Range from 5.4-10.52mm (approx.) (1) Synthetic Spinel - Emerald Cut - P...
Pearl, Spinel, Gold, White Gold
$550
W 0.5 in D 0.07 in L 15 in
Handmade Mexican Sterling Silver Link Necklace with Lapis and Chrysicola Inlay
Located in Berkeley, CA
Handmade, detailed, carved, and inlaid link necklace with varying stones of lapis and chrysicola. This incredible necklace is made of Mexican sterling silver and stamped with the des...
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver
Vintage Gold Link Cartier Necklace
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Yellow 18K gold chain by Cartier. Formed with oblique rectangular links which graduate gently towards the centre, signed Cartier. Condition: very good Date: contemporary Weight: 42...
Gold, 18k Gold
Yellow Gold Oval Link Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
Open oval 14k yellow gold link long chain, with gold ball ends. Made in Italy. 14k yellow gold Stamped: 14k Italy 17.1 grams Total length: 24 Inches Width: 5.4- 6.1mm Thickness/d...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
A Victorian gold and pearl link necklace
Located in London, GB
A Victorian gold and pearl link necklace, the sixteen rectangular links each set with three pearls in an openwork design, all alternatively set with quatrefoil links each set with a pearl, mounted in yellow gold with two concealed clasps, circa 1860, measuring 45 x 1.1cm, gross weight 48.3 grams. This antique necklace is in very good condition for its age. Unmarked, tested as 18ct gold, with 15ct gold clasps. A gleaming gold and pearl link necklace on sale...
Pearl, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k Gold Pearl Citrine Amber Baroque Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps "Baroque" bead necklace, featuring cultured pearls, citrine, amber and 18k yellow gold filigree beads connected by gold wire. Including ten 9-9.6mm cultured pearls wi...
Amber, Citrine, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Gold S-Link Chain Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage 18k yellow gold chain necklace features a sleek, repeating S‑link pattern. Measuring approximately 3/16 inch wide a...
18k Gold
Catalina 18K Gold Chain Link Necklace
Located in Ridgefield, CT
This handcrafted 18k yellow gold rolo chain necklace features a delicate heart-shaped pendant, creating a beautiful blend of timeless elegance and modern charm. Designed for a lightw...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps 18k Gold Multi-Gemstone Baroque Bead Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Seaman Schepps "Baroque" bead necklace, featuring polished and faceted semi-precious gemstones including fire opal, peridot, emerald, amethyst, rose quartz, aquamarine, tourmaline, a...
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Cultured Pearl, ...
Seaman Schepps Gold Chain Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Seaman Schepps gold chain necklace One round-cut diamond of approximately 0.10 carat; 33 links, 18 karat yellow gold; marked Seaman Schepps, 750 Size: width 0.81 inch, length 21 in...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Heavy Gold Necklace or Two Bracelets
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1940-50s, 14k, Seaman Schepps, New York City. The Seaman Schepps classic link is iconic New York at its stylish best. Heavier and larger than the current versions, this piece has a look and feel that is all-American; big, bold, and unapologetically glamorous. Effortless in heels and jeans or a cocktail dress, this piece can be worn as two bracelets...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Seaman Schepps Coral Link Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
A rare 14 karat gold and coral large curved link bracelet by Seaman Schepps from the 1950s. This bracelet is a special one with natural coral not a resin or reconstituted coral.
Coral, 14k Gold