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.
Diane Love for Trifari Shakudo Style Ring
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Striking Diane Love for Trifari Shakudo Style Ring from the 1970's. Shakudo mixed metal designs on large central arch with hammered gold metal shank. Central motif 1.25" long by .33"...
Gilt Metal
6.55 Carat Pear Rubelite Pink Tourmaline Diamond Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
1960's rubelite tourmaline and diamond cocktail ring. Elongated pink pear shape Rubelite Tourmaline with two pear shaped side diamonds, accented with 10 round diamonds. 1 pink red R...
Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Betony Vernon 'Sleeping Ring' Small, Sterling Silver 925, Handmade in Italy
By Betony Vernon
Located in Rome, IT
The "Sleeping Ring" was designed by Betony Vernon in 1998 and manufactured in lost wax elements. Part of the iconic "Tokens of Paradise Collection", it is a discreet and humorous sym...
Sterling Silver
Black Baroque Pearl Ceramic Statement Ring Unique Jewelry Piece
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
O’Gem black baroque pearl ceramic statement ring, handcrafted in Amsterdam. This one-of-a-kind ring features a genuine black baroque pearl with high luster set within a sculptural ce...
Pearl
18K Yellow Gold Art Deco Signet Ring, 26.5g, Size 11, Unisex
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Crafted in luxurious 18K yellow gold, this bold signet ring features a substantial square face measuring approximately 18x18.5mm. The smooth, polished surface offers a timeless canva...
Yellow Gold
Egyptian Revival 925 Silver Pharaoh Ankh Crook and Flail Ring
Located in Rotterdam, NL
A beautiful Egyptian Revival cartouche ring depicting a sitting pharaoh with Egyptian symbols. The pharaoh is holding a crook and flail in his hands, th...
Silver, Sterling Silver
2.25 Carat GIA Certified Fancy Orange Brown Diamond Burmese Red Spinel Ring
By Joke Quick
Located in Antwerp, BE
One of a kind ring handmade in Belgium by jewellery designer Joke Quick, crafted with unparalleled precision and care. This exceptional piece features a magnificent fancy orange brown marquise shape diamond as its centerpiece. The diamond is surrounded by a carefully curated selection of precious stones, including Burmese poppy red spinels, rubies, and white diamonds. These stones complement each other to create a stunning harmony. What's more, the spinels maintain their striking red hue even in low light, making them an invaluable addition to this breathtaking ring. The ring has been meticulously crafted with a protective setting that, while appearing to leave the points of the marquise diamond exposed, ingeniously incorporates an extended gold base that mirrors the shape of the diamond. This base extends slightly beyond the tips of the diamond, ensuring that any impact will make contact with the metal rather than the diamond itself. This design detail provides an extra layer of security for the stone's most vulnerable points without compromising the elegance of the exposed look. 18K Rose gold 7,3 g. GIA Certified Fancy Deep Orange brown Marquise shape diamond centerstone 2,25ct. VS2. Unheated poppie red spinel from Mogok, Burma: 2,59ct. white brilliant-cut diamonds 0,1 ct., Rubies 0,14ct. Handmade the traditional way. size EU 51, US 5,5. Resizable to most ring sizes. Joke Quick offers free resizing, this will take a few days extra handling time. The Spinel, The Lady of The Semi-Precious Gemstones: After the discovery around 1300 of the Marco Polo routes, which linked for the West to the East overland, there was no real market for gemstones. Only rich merchants, supported by powerful Kings, could travel to the East and developed a long-term relationship with the Maharajas of India. One of most famous merchants at the end of the 17th century was Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a French businessman, who lived in Antwerp and was an advisor of French King Louis XIV. He was one of the only Western persons who had contact with the powerful Maharaja’s to search the most beautiful gemstones for the French Sun...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, Spinel, 18k Gold
O’Gem Lapis Lazuli Bar Ring Orange Ceramic Statement Ring
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
O’Gem Lapis Lazuli long bar ring in orange ceramic, handcrafted in Amsterdam. This one-of-a-kind statement ring features a natural raw Lapis lazuli set in a long bar form within a sc...
Lapis Lazuli
Pomellato Nudo XL Diamond and Carved Citrine in 18 Karat Gold
By Pomellato
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Pomellato Nudo XL Diamond and Carved Citrine in 18 Karat Gold 1 Lemon Quartz mm 12.5x12.5, total weight 11 carats. 58 Round Diamonds, total weight 0.73 carats. 18k White and Rose Gol...
Amethyst, Diamond, Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Boucheron Quatre Black Edition White Gold Black PVD Large Ring US 5
By Boucheron
Located in Guangzhou, CN
This statement ring is signed Boucheron from the Quatre Black edition collection. It is made in 18kt white gold and black PVD. This one is a large model and looks like four band ring...
White Gold
Sunita Nahata Dark Amethyst & Blue Topaz 3.25 ct. Ring in 14KYG with Diamond.
By Sunita Nahata
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A whimsical garden-inspired ring featuring pear-cut dark amethyst and London blue topaz flowers, accented with dazzling diamonds. Set in warm 14K yellow gold, this enchanting design ...
Blue Topaz, Diamond, Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Handcraft Emeralds 18 Karat White Gold Diamonds Cocktail Ring
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping and require specific documents that require a particular period, please contact the selle...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Aquarius Sunsign Zodiac Ring with Pave Diamonds Made in 14k Gold
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
"14KT:10.321g, Diamond:0.10ct, Size: US-7"
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage TRIFARI crown gold caged red stone designer ring
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed TRIFARI crown • gold tone with red stones • vintage designer runway ring MEASUREMENTS • size 6 CONDITION • excellent vintage con...
Vintage Gilded Rose Ring (Size 5) by Crown Trifari, 1950s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Size 5 - Gold plated - By Crown Trifari (signed on bottom of rose) - Circa 1950s - Estate acquired - Excellent vintage condition
Trifari Gold Plated Ring with Dark Pink and Green Glass Cabochons, circa 1960s
By Trifari
Located in London, GB
Beautiful Trifari gold plated ring, featuring clusters of dark pink and green oval glass cabochons with white swirls, and embellished on the shoulders with clear rhinestones. Ring si...
1980s Trifari ring
By Trifari
Located in Capri, IT
1980s Trifari gold tone red and crystal stones ring size can be easily altered from the inside