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.
Glamorous Trifari Faux Aquamarine and Ruby Necklace
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous Trifari Faux Aquamarine and Ruby Necklace in the Art Deco style from the 1960's. Beautiful articulated design in rhodiumed metal...
Rhodium
Trifari Rose Gold Pave Pansy Link Necklace
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Trifari Rose Gold Plate Pansy Link Necklace from the 1940's with pave accents. Each link is a pierced floral with crystals. 16" x .65". 1940's USA.
Gilt Metal
Elegant Trifari Pave and Sapphire Crystal Necklace
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Trifari 'Alfred Philippe' Pave and Faux Sapphire Wave collar from the 1950's. Articulated links of pave crystals set with sapphire oval pastes. Adjustable 14-15.75". 1 cm wid...
Rhodium
Vintage TRIFARI crown signed gold tone pearl designer necklace
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed TRIFARI crown • gold plated with faux pearls • vintage designer necklace MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sk...
$318Sale Price|20% Off
1940s "Comet" Choker Necklace & Earring Set By Alfred Philippe for Trifari
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the early mid-century - Extremely rare, hard to find set - Choker measures 16.5" in length and .6" width - Earrings measur...
Trifari Retro Topaz Demiparure
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Trifari gold washed sterling silver retro demiparure circa 1940. Can be worn as bracelet and necklace or as an extra long necklace. Superb quality 1940s USA. Excellent condition necklace 15 inches...
Sterling Silver
Vintage TRIFARI crown gold faux amber designer runway necklace
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed Trifari Crown • gold tone with lucite beads • vintage designer runway necklace MEASUREMENTS • 16.5" long, beads are 0.5" in diameter CONDITION • very good vi...
Trifari Sterling Retro Suite
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Trifari gold washed sterling silver retro demiparure circa 1940. Set with oval cut garnet pastes. Can be worn as bracelet and necklace or as an ...
Gold Plate
Trifari Bezel Set Ruby Chain
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Trifari Bezel Set Ruby Chain from the 1950's. Antique gold settings with twisted wire work bezel. 28" x 5/8".
Gilt Metal
Trifari set of two necklaces with matching clip-on earrings
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Complete three-piece set of Trifari polished and gilded gold hardware necklaces, plus matching clip-on earrings to wear with either necklaces. The structured gilded gold necklace has...
Trifari by Diane Love Classical Necklace
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
As a guest designer for Trifari in the 1970s, Diane Love explored her love of classical and ancient cultures. 2 tones of gold and antique silver are combine...
Trifari Enamelled and Studded Necklace
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Trifari enamel and gold studded necklace held with chains. 1970s Usa
Excellent condition
Chanel Gemstone Gold Choker Necklace
By Chanel
Located in Feasterville, PA
Gemstones are at their very best when they’re positioned to play off of each other like the colors of the rainbow, and this 18k yellow gold choker necklace from Chanel does precisely...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Pave Diamond Chain Link Necklace 19.61 Carat t.w.
Located in New York, NY
Surround yourself with glamour and dazzle with this magnificent Pave Diamond Chain Link Necklace, boasting 19.61 carats of sparkling diamond brillia...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cuban Link Necklace 14kt 113 Grams
Located in New York, NY
Classic Cuban Link Necklace 14kt Yellow Gold Weight: 113 Grams 24 inches length. Each Link: 15.2mm Wide / 6.4mm thick Comfortable clasp
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 11.80cts Diamond Riviera !8k White Gold Chocker Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
Simply Stunning! This Vintage Diamond Necklace was inspired by a Riviera design and crafted in 18k white Gold. Tapering from 4.5mm to 2.5, this necklace features beautifully matc...
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
Hermes Kelly Chaine Lariat Diamond Rose Gold Necklace Small Model
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Kelly Chaine Lariat Necklace. Featured in 18K Rose Gold and a diamond Kelly lock clasp in the small model. Set with 41 ...
Diamond, Rose Gold
Jose Hess 'Garden Lights' Round Diamond Station Necklace in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Jose Hess
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This gorgeous diamond station necklace is the perfect blend of simplicity and elegance. Featuring a delicate snake chain and a dangling diamond motif, this lovely necklace goes with...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$31,037
W 0.24 in L 4.93 in
Vintage Sapphire Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Snake Triple Coil Flexible Bracelet
Located in London, GB
A vintage sapphire and ruby 18 karat yellow gold snake triple coiled flexible bracelet, Circa 1890. This exceptional antique bracelet is realistically modelled as a coiled snake han...
Sapphire, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$220Sale Price|20% Off
L 16 in
Icy Sapphire Aurora Borealis Crystal and Faux Pearl Necklace and Bracelet, 1950s
Located in Milford, DE
Icy blue aurora borealis crystals and faux pearls are prong-set on this vintage necklace and bracelet pair. Silver tone. Circa 1950s. ...
Crystal
$9,600Sale Price|50% Off
NWT $19, 200 18KT Gold Rare Gorgeous Fancy Ruby Diamond Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
The Following Item we are offering is this Beautiful Rare Important 18KT Gold Sparkling Fancy Ruby Diamond Cuff Bangle Bracelet. Bangle FEATURES Magnificent Rare Gorgeous Fancy Large...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
70.07 Carat Oval Sapphire and Diamond Necklace
Located in Great Neck, NY
This one of a kind necklace features an astonishing 78 Oval Blue Sapphires (for a total of 70.07 carats) , each with a White Diamond halo and separated by a circle pave diamond desig...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,200
H 3 in W 3 in D 0.75 in Dm 15 in L 15 in
Robert Lee Morris Wabi Sabi Necklace for Donna Karan, 1986
By Robert Lee Morris
Located in New York, NY
Robert Lee Morris Wabi Sabi Necklace For Donna Karan 1986. this is an original necklace created for a Donna Karan Spring 1986 runway show, comprised of Wabi Sabi colors and component...
Brass
28.70 Carat Burmese Ruby and Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Features vibrant red oval cut rubies weighing 28.70 carats, set in an open-work design accented with round brilliant diamonds. Diamonds weigh 8.99 carats total and are approximately ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Trifari 1980s Ivory & Blue Enameled on Gold Flower Necklace & Earrings
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Step into elegant vintage style with this striking 1980s Trifari statement necklace. Featuring a rigid, collar-style design, this piece is beautifully crafted with glossy blue and wh...
Gold Plate, Enamel
1960s Trifari Gold O-Chain Link Necklace
By Trifari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1960s Trifari Gold O-Chain Link Necklace features a timeless design with classic gold links that sit elegantly at the high neck. Its refined craftsmanship and vintage appeal mak...
70s Trifari rare Diane Love Egyptian "Shekmet" Collar Necklace
By Trifari
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Scarce vintage 1970's 18k gold plated Diane Love for Trifari Egyptian "Shekment" necklace with red cabochon and yellow marquise faux gems, joined to a collar of large plaques joine...
Trifari Gold Plated Brushed and Shiny Leaves Link Necklace circa 1960s
By Trifari
Located in London, GB
Beautiful Trifari gold plated brushed and shiny leaves link necklace. Measuring length 39.5 cm / 15.5 inches including the extension chain with the Trifari logo charm, by width 1.3 cm / .5 inch. This classic Trifari necklace...
Silver Leaf and Pearl Cluster Choker Necklace By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the mid-century - 14" length with additional 2" extender chain - .6" width - Silver tone plating - Brushed texture finish...
Turquoise and White Enamel Link Choker Necklace By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 13" length with additional 2.5" extender chain - White enamel - Faux turquoise cabochons - Gold plated - Hook clasp - By Crown Trifari (signed on hook) - Circ...
Trifari Lemon Aurora Moon Rock Suite, Etoile Series
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Trifari Lemon Aurora Moon Rock Suite from the 1950's Etoile Series. Brooch, bracelet and earrings with lemon aurora moon rocks and aurora borealis crystals. Bracelet 7", Ear...
Gilt Metal
54" Gold Swirl Disc Chain Necklace By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 54" length - Gold plated - Clasp closure - By Crown Trifari (signed on hang tag) - Circa 1960s - Estate acquired - Excellent vintage condition
1970s Gilded Leaves Statement Choker Necklace By Kunio Matsumoto For Trifari
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Measures 15" length with additional 3" extender chain - 2.25" Y drop - Gold plated - Hook clasp - By Kunio Matsumoto for Trifari ...
1960s Gilt & White Enamel Linked Leaves Choker Necklace By Crown Trifari
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 14.5" length with additional 1" removable extender link - White enamel - Gold plated - Fold over clasp closure - By Crown Trifari (signed on clasp) - Circa 196...
Enamel
Bubblegum Pink Molded Glass Choker Necklace w AB Rhinestones By Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 13" length with additional 3" extender chain - Rhodium plated - Molded art glass & Aurora Borealis iridescent crystal rhinestones - Hook clasp - By Crown Trifa...
Trifari Gold Plated and Black Enamel Cleopatra Style Necklace circa 1980s
By Trifari
Located in London, GB
Trifari gold plated Cleopatra style necklace with a fancy link chain, and featuring curved black enamel interspersed with ridged golden diamond shapes. Maximum width 2.2cm / .86 inch by length 40.7cm / 16.02 inches. The necklace is in very good condition. This is a beautiful and stylish vintage Trifari...