Mid Century single strand faux pearl necklace by the famous American Trifari company. The beads are strung onto silk thread which is knotted in between the beads. The pearls are made of glass and covered with a champagne colored nacre with a beautiful luster. The necklace has a round box clasp made of gilded base metal and this clasp is embellished with an imitation Mabe pearl surrounded by a double twisted edge. The clasp is marked on its back side “Trifari” with a crown over the T, which dates this piece of costume jewelry previous to 1956, probably to the end of the 1940s or 1st half of the 1950s, when faux pearl necklaces were very fashionable. A Trifari ad from 1950 exists with a single strand "Gainsborough" version.

Condition is good, but there are small spots of verdigris between the last faux pearls and the clasp. I did not attempt to clean.

Along with Coro, Trifari is one of the "big two" in American costume jewelry products (Pamela Wiggins, Warman's Costume Jewelry). The company began using the trademarked name Trifari on its jewelry in 1938. Some of the most celebrated designs include the "Tutti Fruitti" pieces collectors now call "fruit salad" that were copied after Cartier's fine jewelry. The fruit shape of the stones rather than the color indicated a fruit salad piece made of molded glass. "Jelly Bellies" were another unique piece associated with Trifari from as early as the 1940s made from airplane windshield rejects. Jelly Bellies, to be truly legitimate, must be clear and made of Lucite (acrylic resin).

The pinnacle of Trifari jewelry was reached when the first lady Mamie Eisenhower give up diamonds at the president's inaugural ball in 1953 for a few decorative pieces of Trifari. After that, all the ladies wanted to be just as chic, especially since the models were classic and refined, yet affordable.

Trifari produced crown shaped brooches, usually Alfred Philippe's designs, that became particularly popular in the 1950s. Authentic Trifari jewelry is typically marked with "Jewels by Trifari," "TKF" (for Trifari, Krussman & Fishel), or "Trifari," depending on when it was made. Crown Trifari without © symbol = 1955. Crown Trifari with © symbol = 1955-1960. In 1994, Trifari became part of the Monet Group which was acquired by Liz Claiborne in 2000.

Please look at my other Trifari listings!