Posted 8 years ago
mikelv85
(1230 items)
I've never bought any jewelry at Savers because I think it's all over priced, but when I saw this my jaw dropped ! A huge dazzling 2.75" diameter ruby red rhinestone brooch. The back is as nice as the front and rhodium plated. I had to have it but there was no one in sight at the counter and another gentleman was hovering. So I went to the one open checkout to get help and we both got there at the same time. He asked the cashier to get someone and I said I needed help as well. When the girl arrived I was polite and told her the other person was first. I thought he wanted the brooch. Instead he asked to see a radio behind the counter. I asked to see the brooch so I could check for a mark and then I see the "Weiss" logo on the back. I honestly would have bought it marked or not although I was fairly sure it was a Weiss piece just because of the quality.Then the other guy comes over and says "I was going to buy that but I'm feeling cheap today " Well it's not like I didn't give him the chance. It was more than I usually spend but I think it's worth a whole lot more and it's beyond gorgeous. Now if only those were real rubies. -Mike-
A Brief Weiss History
Courtesy of jewelsofyesteryear.com
Weiss Jewelry, founded by Albert Weiss, was not as big a company as some of the other jewelry retailers, but like them, Weiss Jewelry *sold different lines for different pocket-books.
They sold some very high end beautiful jewelry and accessories, paying great attention to detail.
Albert Weiss, a native New Yorker, started his company in 1942, on Fifth Avenue in N.Y., after having worked for Coro and Marvella Jewelry.
Mr. Weiss worked primarily in clear and colored rhinestones and was very well known for his creations of butterflies, bugs and flowers.
The first mark used was "WEISS" in block letters, then "Weiss" in script. Also "Albert Weiss" and A W Co.
This last mark was started sometime in 1951.
You can put you cursor over the marks at the left to see more.
Albert Weiss was president of his company and retired in 1969.
One of Albert's sons, Michael, continued the business for a short time but finally Weiss Jewelry closed it's doors in 1971.
Weiss jewelry, compared to other companies of the times, was in business for a relatively short period of time. This means there is less Weiss jewelry to collect and it is a little harder to find.
Albert Weiss has left us some wonderful collectible treasures!
*It is a common misconception that these various jewelry companies, like Weiss, made their jewelry; not always true: Some did, some didn't. Like the clothing industry, most retail jewelry companies shopped at the various manufacturer's showrooms, picked out their lines for the seasons, and had their own paper labels/hang tags or imprinted stamped marks put on the jewelry they wished to sell under their brand name.
These jewelry companies would also often have their own in-house designers and have the manufacturers make up their designer’s creations.
Hang tags, brand marked boxes, or attached paper tags were often tossed out or lost when jewelry was purchased, leaving many of us wondering about those unmarked pieces of jewelry: To whom should we attribute them? That's a whole other discussion.
Beautiful wow !!
Thanks Mani :).... It's also my first piece of signed Weiss too.
That's lovely!
Thanks Bonnie :) ....I didn't have much in the red category and it's my favorite color.
I have one weiss piece Mike a Butterfly . They make quality jewelry. Nice score !
Thanks so much Mani :)....Weiss is actually best know for his butterflies, bugs and flower creations.
Thanks Ken.......there were three other pieces in clear stones which I'm pretty sure were Weiss also. I wish I could have bought them all, but this was the stand out ! :)
I saw a wonderful Weiss necklace the other day and almost bought it by live auction. It came with a sherman brooch and earrings but average sherman. Necklace had amber looking cabochons with a leaf turned around them and surrounded by shinestones, 50US plus auction fees. I pulled out my bid before the auction. Came close but... Gorgeous one you got !
Thanks so much Bladerunner22 for the "love" and compliment :)...Sherman is on my radar but it's not something you come across too often here in the States. You have some wonderful pieces.
Wow, that is a magnificent brooch, Mike!!!! You did good. :)
It was meant to be yours :) Gorgeous find!
Thanks Katherine :)..I think this beauty goes to the top of my collection so far!
Thanks Val :).... I really can't stop staring at it....lol. Ours is a fairly new store so it's getting some what better... but the prices ! There have been a few times I've been there and no ones at the counter when I spot something interesting so I usually leave. I just couldn't leave this behind though.
Thank you AnnaB...I had a feeling something good was waiting when I walked in the door....collector's intuition I guess.
Wow! You were very polite, and well deserve this beautiful score :-)
Thanks Kyra...I guess you could call it "Instant Karma" :)
Fantastic Mike. Well found and bought!
Those stones are so beautifully mounted.
Thanks Karen....I think they are actual Austrian crystals and not foil backed.Weiss ads support that. The rhodium plated mount is what adds the extra sparkle behind them. The larger stones rattle when you shake it though. I don't think they are coming loose just not tightened to the point that it might damage them. I'm hoping to track down the name of this piece or it's collection.
Thanks Val...well I learned my lesson the hard way. You snooze you loose. Still I think I got the better part of the deal yesterday. Scarves?? Now there's something I did not consider although I've seen some authorized Picasso ones that are very expensive. Great tip !
I love the color and placement of the stones Mike! Lovely!!
Thanks Rick...it is dazzling and very well made. The pride of my collection. :)
Beautiful story and the brooch is beautiful to0. Patience is a virtue. Virtue basically means high moral standards and all that goes with that behavior. Congrats and thanks for sharing that.
Thank you One...it's discouraging when things get away, but there's always something else waiting out there. In this case though taking the high road paid off. :)
Quite a story for a very pretty piece. I'm inspired.