Most Common Vintage Designer Jewelry to Find While Thrifting
Thrifting for vintage jewelry can be a treasure hunt, and if you know what to look for, you can find stunning designer pieces at a fraction of their value. While high-end brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels are rare, there are many well-known vintage jewelry designers whose pieces still frequently turn up at thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets.
Here’s a list of some of the most common vintage designer jewelry brands you’re likely to find while thrifting, along with key things to look for.
1. Trifari (1910s-2000s)
💎 What to Look For:
Classic costume jewelry with elegant metalwork and rhinestones
Crown Trifari logo (used after 1937 through the 1960s)
Fruit and floral-themed pieces (especially from the 1940s-1950s)
"Alfred Philippe" pieces (highly collectible)
Trifari was one of the most respected costume jewelry brands, known for its high-quality craftsmanship. Vintage brooches, necklaces, and earrings can be quite valuable, especially those with unique designs.
2. Coro & Corocraft (1901-1979)
💎 What to Look For:
"Coro" or "Corocraft" stamped on the back
Large, colorful rhinestone brooches and parures (matching sets)
Popular "Duette" brooches (convertible double clips)
Coro was one of the largest costume jewelry manufacturers, so it’s common to find pieces in thrift stores. Their enameled floral brooches and whimsical animal designs are especially collectible.
3. Sarah Coventry (1949-1980s)
💎 What to Look For:
Pieces marked "Sarah Cov" or "SC"
Mid-century floral and filigree designs
Adjustable rings and matching earring sets
Sarah Coventry was a direct-sales brand (think vintage Avon-style parties), and their jewelry was well-made but mass-produced, making it relatively easy to find while thrifting.
4. Napier (1920s-Present)
💎 What to Look For:
Heavy gold-tone and silver-tone pieces
Clip-on earrings, chunky bracelets, and charm bracelets
Simple yet bold geometric designs
Napier was known for producing high-quality, classic jewelry with bold, simple designs rather than intricate rhinestones or gems. Vintage Napier pieces are often undervalued, making them great thrift store finds.
5. Monet (1937-Present)
💎 What to Look For:
"Monet" stamped on clasps or backs
Gold and silver-tone pieces with a high-polish finish
Classic and minimalist designs, often resembling fine jewelry
Monet focused on durable, gold-plated costume jewelry that mimicked real gold and silver. Their gold chain necklaces, chunky bracelets, and hoop earrings are some of the best finds while thrifting.
6. Weiss (1942-1971)
💎 What to Look For:
Jewelry signed "Weiss" (usually on the back)
Rhinestone-covered pieces, often with aurora borealis stones
Floral and snowflake-inspired brooches
Weiss jewelry is known for high-quality rhinestones and beautiful vintage designs. If you find a Weiss brooch in good condition, it can be quite valuable!
7. Avon (1970s-1990s, Vintage Collections Still Produced)
💎 What to Look For:
"Avon" stamped on clasps or backs
Fun, collectible pieces inspired by different eras
Cameo necklaces, perfume lockets, and novelty rings
Avon jewelry was often sold through catalogs and home parties, and while it wasn’t always high-end, some older pieces (especially collaborations with designers like Kenneth Jay Lane) can be valuable.
8. Juliana (D&E - DeLizza & Elster, 1967-1990s)
💎 What to Look For:
Large, dramatic rhinestone jewelry (often with vivid colors)
Pieces not signed, but identified by construction style
Elaborate brooches, statement necklaces, and cuff bracelets
Juliana jewelry was never signed, but their glitzy, over-the-top rhinestone designs are highly collectible. Look for five-link bracelet backs and prong-set rhinestones to help identify them.
9. Renoir & Matisse (1946-1964)
💎 What to Look For:
Copper jewelry with abstract, Mid-Century Modern designs
Enamel-painted accents in bright colors
Stamped "Renoir" or "Matisse"
Renoir & Matisse specialized in bold, copper-based jewelry that stands out from traditional gold and silver-tone costume pieces. These designs are popular among vintage jewelry lovers today.
10. Kenneth Jay Lane (1960s-Present)
💎 What to Look For:
Statement cocktail rings and bold costume jewelry
Faux pearl necklaces and oversized gemstone pieces
Signed "KJL" or "Kenneth Lane"
Kenneth Jay Lane created high-end costume jewelry that often resembled real gemstones. Many celebrities wore his designs, and vintage pieces hold their value well.
Final Tips for Thrifting Vintage Jewelry:
✔ Check for Signatures – Most designer costume jewelry is signed, so always examine the back, clasps, and inside bands.
✔ Feel the Weight – Higher-quality vintage jewelry tends to be heavier due to better materials.
✔ Look for Unique Clasps – Vintage jewelry often has older-style clasps, such as fold-over clasps, C-clasps, and screw-back earrings.
✔ Bring a Magnifying Glass – This helps identify markings and quality details while hunting.
✔ Learn to Spot Fakes – Some brands, like Chanel and Tiffany & Co., are often counterfeited.
Conclusion
Thrifting for vintage jewelry is an exciting way to uncover hidden treasures. While finding high-end designer pieces is rare, brands like Trifari, Monet, Coro, and Sarah Coventry frequently pop up at thrift stores, flea markets, and estate sales. Knowing what to look for will help you spot valuable, collectible pieces and potentially score big on resale value.
Have you ever found a hidden gem while thrifting? Let me know your best vintage jewelry find! 💎✨
