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.
Vintage TRIFARI crown signed gold tone faux turquoise beaded designer necklace
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed TRIFARI crown • gold tone with faux turquoise • vintage designer necklace MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of w...
TRIFARI signed vintage gold tone faux amber designer beaded necklace
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed TRIFARI • gold tone with faux amber beads • vintage designer necklace MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear ...
TRIFARI vintage glass pearls crystals long beaded designer necklace 1930s
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed TRIFARI with letter T • silver tone with rhinestones and glass beads • vintage designer brooch MEASUREMENTS • 30" long CONDITION • very good vintage condit...
Trifari Faux Pearls, Original Box
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Trifari Faux Pearls with rare Original Shell Box in velvet. Sterling paste clasp signed Trifari Sterling dating it to the 1940's. 18" graduated with origina...
Sterling Silver
TRIFARI crown signed vintage gold tone coral glass beaded designer necklace
By Trifari
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed TRIFARI crown • gold tone with glass beads • vintage designer necklace MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear ...
Trifari Modernist Pearl and Gilt Spacer Necklace
By Trifari
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Trifari Modernist Pearl and Toggle Necklace from the 1960's. 3 graduated strands of faux pearls with florentine spacers in between. 1960's ...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Trifari Crown Sapphire Crystal Necklace, Pave Crystal, Silver Tone Chain
By Trifari
Located in Milford, DE
Discover the elegance of the past with the vintage Trifari Crown necklace, a timeless piece that exudes classic charm. This exquisite necklace features 1-inch faceted light-sapphire ...
Crystal
Cultured Pearl Necklace With 14 Karat Yellow Gold Clasp
Located in Baltimore, MD
Cultured Pearl Necklace With 14 Karat Yellow Gold Clasp Metal: 14k yellow gold Weight: 34.5 grams Pearls: Cultured, 7.5-8mm creamy white color with high luster Length: 17 inches
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Faceted Black Onyx Gold Beaded Necklace 22k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 22k Yellow Gold Gemstone: Black onyx Total Weight: 33.4 Grams Length: 24" Condition: Preowned, excellent
Onyx, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Multicolored Agate Bead Necklace
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Multicolored agate bead necklace with four aventurine quartz accent beads, brass bead spacers, and clasp. Beads range from 10.5mm to 17.30mm. Tarn...
Agate, Quartz, Brass
$870
H 4.5 in W 1.75 in L 24.5 in
Ruby Moonstone with Glass Moser Chatelaine Heart Scent Bottle, La Vie En Rose
By Karen Sugarman Designs
Located in Colleyville, TX
When I first began collecting these lovely scent bottles, they were readily available and quite lovely. Fast forward thru the pandemic plus everyone figuring out this gorgeous format and they supply has simply dried up! Be that as it may, when I do find a lovely scent bottle that is reasonably priced, I do tend to snag it. The is the case with this Moser hand painted scent bottle in the shape of a pink heart. Although the stopper is now missing, it is not an unusual predicament to not find them in place on these scent bottles. When you realize how very tiny they are, that should easily explain how they might have been lost or damaged over the past hundreds of years. Since Viva Magenta is the Panatone 2023 color of the year, this dreamy necklace should easily fit into that category with its confectionary pink colors and sweet heart design. The necklace portion consists of pink oval moonstone gems that are hand-linked and feature a small puffy gold...
Moonstone, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Estate Natural Oval 26mm to 12mm Graduated Honey Amber 14K Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Attractive natural oval graduated honey amber and 14K yellow gold necklace 20th Century Composed of twenty nine graduted oval amber beads, 26mm to 12mm with a 14K yellow gold clasp. ...
Amber, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rare Mings Hawaii Large Amber Bead Strand Necklace
Located in Honolulu, HI
Specifications: Designer: Ming's Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Gemstones: Amber Total Weight: 94.8 Grams Necklace Length: 23" Stamped: "Mings" "14K" Condition: Preowned 100% Authent...
Amber, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$750
W 0.63 in D 0.63 in L 28.5 in
Modernist Geometric Circle Square Cube and Tiger's Eye Sterling Silver Necklace
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Late 20th century Mexican modernist necklace featuring different sized sterling silver square cubes, circles and tiger's eyes cubes. The piece is 28.5" long and has a push button cl...
Tiger's Eye, Silver, Sterling Silver
John Hardy Dot Collection Necklace, Sterling Silver and 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By John Hardy
Located in Honolulu, HI
John Hardy Dot necklace in Sterling Silver & 18K yellow gold. This gorgeous John Hardy necklace is beautifully crafted in 6 oval sections in st...
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
$274
H 2.25 in W 1.38 in L 18 in
12 Days of Christmas - Kyanite, Delft Blue Beads & Gold Vermeil - Bluebelle V
By Karen Sugarman Designs
Located in Colleyville, TX
Blue and white themes are universally popular whether in interior design or jewelry. Such is the case with this whimsical and charming kyanite blue necklace. Various shades and sizes...
Kyanite, Vermeil
14K White Gold Briolette Cut Amethyst Cluster Chain Necklace with Heart Motif
Located in Honolulu, HI
Beautiful Amethyst neckalce with varrying purple hues on 14k white gold chain. This gorgeous necklace features 12 briolette cut Amethyst Gemstones suspended from a heart shape decorative joint and attached to 14k white gold rolo link chain. The chain has two round faceted Amethyst beads one on each side. A total of Amethysts with gorgeous vriations of purple tones. The Amethyst total carat weight is approximately 6.50 carats. The necklace is 16.25 inch long and the Amethyst cluster drops an additional 2.50 inches. The rolo link chain is equipped with a round spring clasp. This gorgeous new Amethyst necklace. Stamped "14K". Total weight 5.40 grams. Item Specifications: Style: Amethyst Drop Necklace Design: Briolette Cluster Drop Necklace...
Amethyst, 14k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Gold Lapis Lazuli Cultured Pearl Bead Strand Necklace 29" - 14k
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Lapis Lazuli Cultured Pearls Necklace Style: Bead Strand Fastening Type: Spring Ring Clasp Measurements Length: 29" Wid...
Lapis Lazuli, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Jadeite Beaded Necklace 18" - 14k Beads Treated
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Jadeite Treatment: Dyed Cut: Beads Necklace Style: Beaded Fastening Type: Fishhook Clasp Measurements Length: 18" Width:...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Trifari Vintage Black/Gold Ball Double Layered Necklace
By Trifari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your accessory collection with this Vintage Black/Gold Ball Double Layered Necklace. Featuring two delicate layers, it combines striking gold and black spheres for a sophisti...
Trifari 1960s White Ball/ Gold Tassel Crown Necklace
By Trifari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elevate your ensemble with the Trifari White Ball and Gold Tassel Crown Necklace, a timeless piece featuring lustrous white beads accented by elegant gold details. Its versatile desi...
Sold
Dm 0.44 in L 36.23 in
Vintage long necklace 'Jewel by TRIFARI' tag, never worn, gold plated, 1950s US
By Trifari
Located in Stuttgart, DE
Long chain consisting of gold-plated balls that are flattened on the sides, with small serrated discs in between. The necklace has never been worn as the original 'Jewel of TRIFARI' ...
Gilt Metal
Chunky Lucite Tortoise Beaded Choker Necklace By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 15" length, best fits a slender neck - Lucite faux tortoise beads measure approx .5" wide - Gold plated hook clasp - By Crown Trifar...
Vintage Three Strand Bubblegum Pink Art Glass Necklace by Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Measures 16" in length with additional 3" extender - 3" drape - Bubble gum pink art glass beads - Pink Aurora Borealis (AB) crystal beads - Gold plated hardware...
Vintage Gilt & Grape Purple Beaded Necklace by Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 31" length - Gold plated chain and beadcaps - Grape purple colored beads - Clasp closure - By Crown Trifari (signed on hangtag) - Circa 1960s - Estate acquire...
Crown Trifari Gold Bead Choker Necklace, circa 1955, Signed
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
This beautiful, modern gold-tone textured bead choker was designed and manufactured by coveted jewelry brand Trifari, circa 1955. Trifari is a highly collected costume jewelry brand,...
Trifari Gold Plated Two Strand Blue and Gold Bead Necklace and Clip On Earrings
By Trifari
Located in London, GB
Trifari gold plated two strand necklace and clip on earrings featuring beautiful beads in gold and blue, interspersed by clusters of gold plated balls. The necklace is in very good c...
Gold Plate
Trifari Exquisite Crystal Beaded Parure Necklace Set ca 1960s
By Trifari
Located in University City, MO
Trifari Exquisite crystal beaded parure necklace set ca 1960s The elegant set is designed with a jet black and aurora borealis faceted crystal beads combined with textured black and gold resin beads The dramatic crystal beaded collar necklace has an Egyptian design influence. The intricate beads are juxtaposed with rows of gilt metal chains throughout The crystal beaded bracelet...
Gilt Metal