Hobé Cie was founded in 1887 by goldsmith Jacques Hobé, but when costume-jewelry collectors think of Hobé, they picture the tasselled and beaded necklaces made by Jacques’ son, William, who established an American offshoot of the company in 1927. That put Hobé at the beginning of the American costume-jewelry boom between the two world wars.

In fact, some scholars believe that Hobé actually had a hand in the phrase “costume jewelry” itself. After the younger Hobé landed in New York, but before he started his company, one of the his first assignments was to make costumes and jewelry for the "Ziegfeld Follies." According to some historians, Florenz Ziegfeld described the jewelry that accompanied Hobé’s costumes as costume jewelry.

Hobé’s showbiz origins served the company well. By the 1940s and ’50s, Hollywood stars such as Bette Davis and Ava Gardner were wearing Hobé. Especially prized today are the floral pins of that era, which featured tight clusters of vermeil petals. Earlier Hobé pieces that remain popular with collectors include filigreed bracelets and pins, some of which featured Victorian-style portraits or Japanese netsuke-like figures as focal points.

Interviews & Articles

Carole Tanenbaum on Costume Jewelry's 'Wow' Factor

My husband and I have many collections. We were in London at one point in the ’80s, and I saw a fabulous collection of vintage cos… [more]

Christie Romero on Differences Between Fine and Costume Jewelry Over the Decades

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]



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Clubs & Associations: Costume Jewelry

Top eBay Auctions

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Enormous, Magnificent, & Rare Jeweled Hobe' BroochHuge Vintage Jewelry Lot All Gold Tone With Many Signed Pcs. Chanel, Kjl, HobeHobe Sparkling Ice Rhinestone Black Intaglio Glass Cameo BraceletVintage Hobe Large Cuff Bracelet Orig Tag Jeweler To The Stars Gold Stones NrVintage Hobe Green/lt. Peacock Carnival Glass Beaded Bracelet And Earrings SetMiriam Haskell, Ysl, Kramer N.y., Kjl, Juliana , Mazer, Vogue, Hobe, Selini LotSigned Hobe 1/20 14k Gp On Sterling With A Pink Stone Pin / Brooch *very Rare*Hobe Confetti Bead & Crystal Rhinestone Rhondel Necklace Earring SetOutstanding Vtg Hobe' Ab Rhinestone,art Glass & Sugar Bead Necklace SetHobe Gorgeous Rhinestone Genuine Shell Cameo Bracelet Earring SetBeautiful Early Hobe Faux Blue Star Sapphire Cabochon Pendant NecklaceLarge Vintage Hobe Jeweled Cross Big With 14kgf Chain Reticulated Signed Vintage Lot W Hobe Ears, Trifari, Kramer - Rhinestones, Glass, Set, Pin.Vintage Hobe Rhinestone Enamel Brooch Earrings Set Demi Parure Vtg Hobe Multi-strand Necklace Filigree W/opal Rhinestones & "forget-me-nots" Vintage Hobe Earrings Cream Enamel Floral LargeVintage Hobe' Pin & Earrings Jade Green Stones, Rhinestones, Mesh Circle DesignVintage Hobe Double Strand Tangerine Ceramic Bronze Beads Necklace Earring Set Vintage Hobe Brooch And EarringsVintage Unsigned Hobe Emerald Green Montana Blue Rhinestone Brooch Earring SetVintage Signed Hobe' Gold Tone Gold Flecked Milk Glass Bracelet Earring SetHobe Flower Brooch Pin #108Signed Hobe Vintage Necklace Hammered Links Silver Tone Intricate G23Signed Hobe,art Nouveau/deco Dangle Unusual Celluloid/plastic Cameo Earrings,vtgOutstanding Large Brooch Pin Signed Hobe Sterling Silver-bow W/flowers 24.2 GramVintage Costume Jewelry Lot 57pc Japan Hobe West Germany Coro Vendome NapierHobe Sterling 1/20 14k & Blue Stone Large(3.5") Pin Unique Design & Great Cond'nVintage Designer Signed Hobe Dangle Clip On Earrings, Tassles, Rhinestones, ExcVintage Pin And Earrings Set, ''hobe', Very Nice!!!Beautiful Vintage Hobe Glass Necklace-nice!!Vintage Hobe Gold NecklaceHobe Tie Style Triple Strand W/tassle & Enamel Medallions Necklace Rare Piece Classic Unsigned Hobe Memory Wire Bracelet - Excellent Condition!Vtg Signed Hobe Victorian Revival Amethyst Necklace Bracelet Set Tassel FiligreeVintage Hobe Necklace And Earring SetBeautiful & Unique Signed Hobe Necklace Chain W/ Pendant & Dangles; Neat!Pair Vtg Hobe Pansy Brooches W/enamel & Pearls - Some Enamel Loss On BothChunky Hobe Flower Vintage Earrings White Blue Rhinestones CabochonVintage Retro Hobe Signed Green Yellow Orange Glass Bead Dome Gold Earrings ClipVintage Hobe' Serpentine Chain Stationary Oblong Jade Pendant NecklaceCute Vtg Goldtone Wreath Antique Rose Flower Pearl Estate Signed Hobe Brooch Pin