Costume jewelry maker Trifari is widely loved for its fine craftsmanship and complex designs for necklaces, brooches and other jewelry and accessories.
The company was formed in New York during the early 1920s, when its partners Gustavo Trifari (who descended from a family of jewelers), Leo Krussman and Carl Fishel (business associates in hair-ornament manufacturing) recognized, as other designers during the Art Deco era such as Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had, that fashion trends for affordable jewelry for everyday wear represented an opportunity (and that the popularity of shorter hairstyles didn’t bode well for their haircomb business).
Initially called Trifari, Krussman and Fishel Jewelry (T.K.F.), the trio eventually shortened their brand’s name, at the suggestion of an advertising professional, to Trifari in order to evoke the romance of Gustavo’s native Italy.
The hiring of French designer Alfred Philippe as head designer in 1930 was pivotal to Trifari’s success. A master craftsman who had worked with both Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, Philippe set about establishing the same high-quality standards of materials and craftsmanship in the design of fashion jewelry and trained other Trifari artisans to do the same. Settings were delicate; crystals were hand set; designs, which sometimes featured dazzling floral motifs or exquisite depictions of marine life, were sophisticated and elegant, having both the look and feel of fine jewelry. First Lady Mamie Eisenhower wore a Trifari parure of faux pearls to her husband’s presidential inauguration in 1953 and Trifari glass pearls to his inaugural ball in 1957.
Before retiring in 1968, Philippe created Trifari’s most recognizable designs. In the 1930s, when the company was custom-making accessories for the stars of Broadway musicals, it was the crown motif: These brooches became so often identified with the brand that a crown was eventually incorporated into the trademark. In the 1940s, the “Jelly Bellies” inspired affection as well as knockoffs; these were animals, birds and insects sporting a “belly” of clear Lucite. Clip-Mates were another favorite and a technical marvel — two dress clips that, joined together, created a brooch.
Find a wide range of vintage Trifari jewelry on 1stDibs.
$119Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Gilt & White Enamel Abstract Leaf Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1" tall - White enamel - Gold plated - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1960s - Estate acquired - Thi...
Enamel
$185Sale Price|27% Off
Trifari Gold Tone White Faux Pearl Earrings, Italy, Circa 1990
By Trifari
Located in Capri, IT
Trifari Gold Tone White Faux Pearls Earrings measurements 3 x 3 cm
KTF Trifari Art Deco Fruit Salad Earrings
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
KTF Trifari Alfred Philippe tri color Art Deco pave swirl earclips . Of faux ruby ,sapphire and emerald pressed glass fruit salad andpear shape cabocheons set in rhodium plate ba...
Rhodium, Base Metal
Vintage Gilt & Black Enamel Crystal Statement Earrings by Trifari, 1980s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1.1" x 1.1" - Gold plated - Black enamel - Faceted crystal with crystal rhinestone accents and crystal baguette detail - Clip on earring b...
$1,516Sale Price / set|22% Off
Diamond Ear Climbers 1.20 Carat Pear Shape in 14 Kt White Gold
Located in Rutherford, NJ
Minimal size, maximum impact. Searching for that perfect minimal ear jewelry? The pear diamond ear-crawlers have you covered for all the moments needin...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Floral Turquoise Cabochon Cluster Earrings, 14k
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of Floral Earrings with a cluster of Turquoise Cabochons in the center. The earrings are made in 14 Karat Yellow Gold.
Turquoise, 14k Gold
$8,979
W 0.71 in L 0.89 in
Solitaire Diamond Earrings, Clips, 14 Karat White Gold, Total Almost 4 Carat
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Diamond Earrings, Clips, 14 Karat White Gold, total almost 4 carat. Each earring is set with 28 diamonds. The big solitaire weighs about 0.33 ct. each. The small diamon...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
$3,717Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.6 in W 0.16 in D 0.16 in L 0.16 in
RRP £4, 650 TIFFANY & CO PLATINUM 0.56 CT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE STUD EARRINGS PAiR
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Tiffany & Co Platinum and 0.56ct Diamond Solitaire stud earrings complete with all the original paperwork RR...
Diamond, Platinum
Leaf-Style Diamond Cocktail Earrings, 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of leaf-style diamond cocktail earrings made in 18 Karat Yellow Gold. The length of the earring is 1.20." The total weight of the earring is 16.49 grams.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$14,957Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.63 in W 0.24 in D 0.24 in L 0.24 in
Rrp £20, 000 Tiffany & Co Platinum 1.40 Ct Diamond Solitaire Stud Earrings Pair
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of huge Tiffany & Co Platinum and 1.40ct Diamond Solitaire stud earrings RRP £20,000 An ...
Diamond, Platinum
$14,520 / item
D 0.32 in Dm 0.65 in
Annamaria Cammilli "Sultana" Earrings with Diamonds in Three Shades of 18K Gold
By Annamaria Cammilli
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From Annamaria Cammilli's Vision collection, medium size Sultana earrings handcrafted in 18 karat Black Lava, Natural Beige and White Ice gold. Three ruffles in white, beige and blac...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$8,650 / item
Ralph Masri Arabesque Deco Diamond Star Hoops
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold earrings with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Arabesque Deco collection, inspired by Middle Eastern patterns and motifs infused with an Art Deco touch. Can be made in y...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,680 / item
H 0.58 in W 0.17 in D 0.5 in
Alex Sepkus "Oval Hoop" Earrings with White Diamonds in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Oval Hoop" earrings with white brilliant cut diamonds. Total diamond weight of fourteen diamonds is 0.44 carat. Hin...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,785 / item
D 0.12 in Dm 0.54 in
Alex Sepkus "Little Windows" Stud Earrings with Diamonds in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Little Windows" button earrings with post and with white brilliant cut diamonds. These shimmering Little Windows ea...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$10,095 / item
H 0.87 in W 0.24 in L 0.87 in
Alex Sepkus "Candy" Large Hoop Earrings with Diamonds in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Candy" large hoop earrings with post and with white brilliant cut diamonds. These shimmering Candy hoop earrings ar...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$12,750 / item
H 0.71 in W 0.65 in D 0.12 in Dm 0.65 in L 0.65 in
Alex Sepkus Ocean Earrings with Blue Sapphires and Green Tsavorites in Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Ocean" earrings with blue sapphires, green tsavorite garnets and diamonds. These shimmering Ocean earrings are of h...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold,...
Sold
H 1 in W 1 in D 0.5 in Dm 1 in L 1 in
Cream pearl, gilt metal and grey paste 'flower' earrings, Trifari, USA, 1960s.
By Trifari
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
A beautiful pair of 'flower' or 'camellia' earrings made by Trifari, in the 1960s, with a subtle and chic combination of tones. Unusual grey coloured pastes sit side by side with cream paste pearls, all small. giving a finesse and wearablity to these charming earrings. The firm of Trifari was founded in 1925 by Gustavo Trifari, Leo F...
Gilt Metal
Gold Textured Teardrop Earrings by Trifari, 1980s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1" x .75" - Gold plated - Post earring backs for pierced ears - By Trifari (signed on verso) - Circa 1980s - Estate acquired - Excellent...
Navette Crystal Huggie Cocktail Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1950s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1" x .5" - Rhodium plated - Clear navette and triangle cut crystals - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1950s - Estate acquired - Excellent vintage condition with one missing triangle stone...
Poured Milk Glass Flower Statement Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1950s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1.75" in diameter - Gold plated - Poured milk glass - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1950s - Estate...
Caravan Collection Faux Malachite Thermoset Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1950s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1" x 1.75" - Gold plated - Green thermoset plastic cabochons - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1955 -...
Textured Gold Leaf Earrings With Pearl Accents By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1" tall - Gold plated - Crystal accents - Faux pearls - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1960s - Esta...
Gold Brutalist Stripe Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1" x 1" - Gold plated - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1960s - Estate ac...
Gilt & Pearl Swirl Earrings With Leaf Motif By Crown Trifari, 1950s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures .9" in diameter - Gold plated - Faux pearl accents - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1950s - Estate a...
Vintage Gilt & Crystal Rhinestone Textured Swirl Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1963
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures .9" diameter - Gold plated - Crystal rhinestones - Clip on earring backs - From the "Cavalcade Collection" by Crown Trifari (signed on cli...
Crystal
Vintage Brutalist Style Gilded Leaf Climber Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1.25" tall - Gold plated - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1960s - Estate acquired - This item has be...
Vintage Gilt & White Enamel Abstract Ribbon Earrings By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1" x .75" - White enamel - Gold plated - Clip on earring backs - By Crown Trifari (signed on clips) - Circa 1960s - Estate acquired - T...
Enamel
Bubblegum Pink Molded Glass Climber Earrings w AB Rhinestones By Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Each earring measures 1" tall - Rhodium plated - Molded art glass & Aurora Borealis iridescent crystal rhinestones - Clip on earring bac...