Before Albert Weiss founded his own costume-jewelry company in 1942, he learned the tricks of the trade as a designer for Coro in the 1930s. Weiss excelled at floral and figural brooches and earrings—the company also made numerous styles of bracelets and necklaces. Although Weiss would never get as big as Coro and ceased operations altogether in 1971, business was good enough in the 1950s and ’60s that the company had to contract with Hollycraft to fill its orders.

Weiss is perhaps best known for its use of smoky rhinestones. The company was also one of the first to use Swarovski’s polychromatic aurora borealis crystals, which were created with Dior in the 1950s. Earrings and pins in its Skyline brand are comparable to those in the Eisenberg Ice line.

Beyond rhinestones, Weiss collectors prize the company’s work in enamel, as well as its japanned pieces. Dark, japanned pins in the shapes of Maltese crosses were often studded with “black diamond” beads, but japanned metal also served as an exotic counterpoint to clusters of rhinestones in royal blue, ruby red, and other rich colors.

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]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Researching Costume Jewelry

Researching Costume Jewelry

Jewelry lovers, venture through this amazing database of vintage jewelry articles, catalogs, and brochures, as well… [read review or visit site]

Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

It looks like we're not in Kansas anymore with Elizabeth Rowlands' site on vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s a… [read review or visit site]

Collecting Costume Jewelry

Collecting Costume Jewelry

Carol Bell's simple but informative site focuses on photographs of brooches, bracelets, pendants, and pins, with an… [read review or visit site]

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Jewelry collectors, feast your eyes on this internet gem! It's a goldmine of jewelry information featuring all styl… [read review or visit site]

All About Jewels Dictionary

All About Jewels Dictionary

This incredible reference dictionary on jewelry, from Enchantedlearning.com, is both beautiful and comprehensive. S… [read review or visit site]

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

With its vast galleries featuring clear images of jewelry and style, this site really covers it all! Divided up by … [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Costume Jewelry

Top eBay Auctions

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