Seaman Schepps Nantucket Lightship Drop Earrings
View Similar Items
Seaman Schepps Nantucket Lightship Drop Earrings
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Style:
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000's
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:Seller: ER190041stDibs: LU5056210932
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.
- Elegant Turquoise Italian Gold Drop EarringsLocated in Atlanta, GASimply Chic. Vivid turquoise is set against grey agate and framed with rich 18k gold. Handmade in Italy. Please view additional picture to see the profile dimension. 2 inches in leng...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsAgate, Turquoise, 18k Gold
- Tiffany & Co. Gold and Citrine Drop EarringsBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Atlanta, GAA fabulous vintage example of Tiffany & Co. style and quality. A design to dress up or wear casual. A beautifully detailed leaf motif top and a matched pair of rich honey colored cit...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsCitrine, 18k Gold
- Ilias Lalaounis Gold and Turquoise Drop EarringsBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Atlanta, GALalaounis creates treasured wearable art. This pair of drop earrings feature beautiful turquoise drops reminiscent of the color of the Aegean Sea. 2 1/4 inches in length.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsTurquoise, 18k Gold
- Tiffany & Co. Gold and Amber Drop EarringsBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Atlanta, GATiffany & Co. designed an all the time pair of drop earrings with a twist. Still neutral but featuring amber drops that bring a bit of moonlight and sunshine to brighten up your day....Category
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsAmber, Gold, 18k Gold
- Tiffany & Co. Triple Heart and Pearl Drop EarringsBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Atlanta, GAA classic three heart gold top and 13.7 mm pastel pink fresh water pearls combine to make a beautiful classic wearable earring. Tiffany quality and design. Just over 1 inch in length.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
MaterialsFreshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
- Paul Morelli Amethyst Tourmaline Tanzanite Gold Drop EarringsBy Paul MorelliLocated in Atlanta, GAPaul Morelli's use of simple shapes and detailed finishes creates perfect frames for amethyst, tourmaline and tanzanite. 1 3/4 inches of wearable style.Category
Late 20th Century American Drop Earrings
MaterialsAmethyst, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
- Seaman Schepps Diamond Pe 18 Karat White Gold Drop EarringsBy Seaman ScheppsLocated in New York, NYLustrous South Sea pearls exhibiting a soft silvery grey with pink and purple opalescence are suspended from similarly-shaped diamond tops. The earrings have a sophisticated and impo...Category
20th Century American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, White 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
- 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 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 Turbo Shell Earrings with AmethystBy Patricia Schepps Vaill for Seaman ScheppsLocated in Darnestown, MDThese classic Seaman Schepps turbo shell earrings have richly colored amethyst terminals. The stones are faceted. The earrings are 14 karat gold, ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsAmethyst, 14k Gold