Seaman Schepps Crystal Diamond Gold “Four Square" Earrings
View Similar Items
Seaman Schepps Crystal Diamond Gold “Four Square" Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Stone:
- Dimensions:Height: 0.75 in (19.05 mm)Width: 0.75 in (19.05 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Contemporary
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: 351371stDibs: LU301242582
Seaman Schepps
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 White quartz Blue Sapphire Diamond Gold EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAMeasuring just hint under 1 inch in diameter, the earrings are designed as a large cabochon of white quartz, framed in brilliant white diamonds and tipped with blue sapphire "pr...Category
2010s American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Quartz, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Seaman Schepps Lapis Gold Link NecklaceBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAAn instant classic, compliments of iconic jewelry designer Seaman Schepps. Hand carved links of lapis lazuli alternate with identical links of 18k yel...Category
2010s American Link Necklaces
MaterialsLapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold
- Seaman Schepps 9.45 Carat Moonstone White Gold Portofino RingBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAGraduated pyramids of moonstone are assembled in simple, magnificent splendor, part of the Portofino collection, compliments of iconic American jeweler Seaman Schepps. The stones wei...Category
2010s American Fashion Rings
MaterialsMoonstone, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 8.68 Carat Sapphire Ring, Signed Seaman ScheppsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAGraduated pyramids of sapphires are assembled in simple, magnificent splendor, part of the Portofino collection, compliments of iconic American jeweler Seaman Schepps. The stones wei...Category
2010s American Fashion Rings
MaterialsBlue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Cynthia Bach Pear-Shaped Tsavorite Garnet EarringsBy Cynthia BachLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAMade of 18 karat yellow gold and decorated with a modernized granulation reminiscent of Etruscan Revival, these teardrop shaped ear clips are each set with a pear tsavorite garnet. G...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsTsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Carved Onyx Horse Portrait Earrings, signed Elizabeth LockeBy Elizabeth LockeLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAA pair of profile portraits of horses are immortalized in striking fashion, carved of black onyx and framed with 18k yellow gold. A pearl softens the design and adds a levity to the ...Category
Late 20th Century Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsOnyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Seaman Schepps Earrings Rock Crystal 18 Karat Gold Large Square CageBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NYElegant pair of vintage Seaman Schepps rock crystal earrings set with rock crystal crafted in 18k yellow gold. Weight: 33.3 grams ...Category
Early 2000s American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Crystal Onyx Diamond Convertible EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NYSEAMAN SCHEPPS Crystal Onyx Diamond Detachable Earrings in 18k White Gold. A gorgeous pair of detachable on-the-ear clips by Seaman Schepps comprising reeded rock crystals and flute...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, Diamond, 18k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Diamond and Rock Crystal Half Link EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Darnestown, MDExquisite Seaman Schepps classic half link earrings made of diamonds and rock crystal. They are set in 18 karat white gold. Clip backs can easily be converted to posts. Signed and nu...Category
Early 2000s American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Gold Swirl EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Darnestown, MDTwo half circles hug each other in these 14 karat gold earrings by Seaman Schepps. Each half circle has several striations for a bit of texture. The earrings have clip backs that can...Category
Vintage 1960s American Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Clear Crystal Clip on EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in Dallas, TXSeaman Schepps Rock Crystal and Gold Braided Earrings. 50.1 Grams Marked Seaman Schepps 750 1699 1.25 inches length 1 inch width 18K yellow goldCategory
Vintage 1980s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCrystal, 18k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Turbo Shell EarringsBy Patricia Schepps Vaill for Seaman ScheppsLocated in Darnestown, MDBeautiful shell earrings by PSV of Seaman Schepps. In the 1960's, the founder retired and his daughter, Patricia took over until she sold the company in 1992. PSV are her initials. ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Materials14k Gold