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.
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
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
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
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 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
$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 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 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
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...
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
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...
$2,585
Baroque Pearl Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
14k yellow gold chocolate baroque pearl necklace 42 inch in length. This gold pearl necklace is accompanied by a retail appraisal performed ...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Wide 12-Row Diamond Bracelet, 20 Carat, 672 Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
This stunning bracelet is absolutely magnificent. Featuring 672 round brilliant cut diamonds totaling approximately 20.00 carats. The bracelet is beautifully crafted in 18k white gol...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ladies Garnet Bracelet, 14 Karat Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Magnificent Ladies Garnet Bracelet, 14K Gold. Bracelet is hallmarked. Including certificate of authenticity.
Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Round Red Ruby Gold Link Bracelet in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Bracelet Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Gemstones: red rubies Red Ruby Carat Weight: 2.80 carats Red Ruby Count: 96 Bracelet Length: ~6.5 inches Bracelet Width: ~ 5.68...
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$13,750
W 0.35 in L 16.5 in
Chimento Pavé Diamond Elongated Link Collar Necklace in 18 Karat White Gold
By Chimento
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
You will absolutely love this strikingly beautiful minimalist necklace by Chimento. It is stunningly simple in design, with curved lines and glittering pave diamonds, making the piec...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
White Diamond Round Tennis Necklace in 14K White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 7.01 ct. good quality, white, and bright diamond rounds. Handmade in 14k white gold. Three prong setting. Length is 16".
White Diamond, White Gold
Erich Zimmermann Gold Cocoon Necklace
By Erich Zimmermann
Located in Darnestown, MD
German artist Erich Zimmerman has named this stunning gold choker necklace his Cocoon design. It consists of 8 slightly overlapping elongated tubes with a soft matte finish. Each tu...
18k Gold
J Rossi 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ruby and Sapphire Bracelet
Located in Honolulu, HI
Vintage J. Rossi wide Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold with Rubies and blue Sapphires in a beautiful floral botanical Design. This gorgeous bracelet features masterfully carved blue Sapph...
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow 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
Björn Weckström for Lapponia 14 Karat Gold Bracelet 1973 Vintage
By Björn Weckström for Lapponia
Located in Berlin, DE
Björn Weckström for Lapponia 14 karat Gold Bracelet 1973 vintage.
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Yellow Gold Braided Collar Necklace
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
A classic 18KT yellow gold braided necklace set with 15.03 carats of round brilliant diamonds. The braided links of the necklace alternate with pave set ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chimento Gold and Blackened Silver Choker Necklace
By Chimento
Located in Darnestown, MD
Sporty and chic two tone choker necklace by Chimento. The necklace is made of two colors of 18 karat gold alternating with oxidized sterling ...
Gold, Silver
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...