VINTAGE RICHELIEU DOUBLE-STRAND YELLOW BEAD NECKLACE
WITH PERIOD G. FOX & CO. PRESENTATION BOX & BROCADE POUCH
c. LATE 1950s–EARLY 1960s • SIGNED RICHELIEU • PAT. PEND.
A fantastic burst of true mid-century color, this vintage Richelieu necklace features two graceful strands of glossy canary-yellow beads finished with a beautifully textured gold-tone statement clasp.
The necklace is signed RICHELIEU directly on the reverse of the clasp and is additionally marked PAT. PEND., providing an especially nice period detail for collectors of signed vintage costume jewelry.
Richelieu was one of the recognizable names in 20th-century American costume jewelry, particularly associated with elegant faux pearls, bead necklaces and colorful fashion jewelry. This piece represents the bolder side of mid-century Richelieu design: bright saturated color, oversized polished beads and a decorative clasp designed to be seen rather than hidden.
The vivid lemon / canary / sunshine-yellow color gives the necklace wonderful crossover appeal. It works equally well as a collectible piece of mid-century costume jewelry or as a genuinely wearable statement necklace for someone drawn to Mod, retro, maximalist, dopamine-dressing, Palm Beach, resort or colorful vintage fashion.
DESIGN
The necklace is constructed as a double-strand design, allowing the two rows of glossy round beads to fall in a slightly nested drape around the neckline.
The beads appear to be vintage molded plastic / acrylic or Lucite-style material and have a beautifully smooth, high-gloss surface. Their intense opaque yellow color is remarkably bright and consistent.
At the back is a substantial round gold-tone clasp with a finely brushed / Florentine-style textured dome face. The reverse has an attractive openwork floral or petal design and is clearly marked:
RICHELIEU
PAT. PEND.
The clasp operates with a tongue-and-groove push mechanism and closes securely.
PERIOD G. FOX & CO. PRESENTATION BOX
Also included is the wonderful vintage G. Fox & Co. department-store presentation box shown in the photographs.
The interior is stamped:
“center of Connecticut living since 1847”
G. FOX & CO.
Hartford 15, Connecticut
The “Hartford 15” postal-zone address is a particularly interesting period detail. Numbered postal zones preceded the nationwide introduction of five-digit ZIP Codes in 1963, making the box itself a great piece of mid-century department-store ephemera.
G. Fox & Co. was the legendary Hartford, Connecticut department store whose Main Street flagship became one of New England’s best-known shopping destinations. The surviving box adds an extra layer of old department-store charm that is increasingly difficult to find with vintage jewelry.
BROCADE JEWELRY POUCH
A vintage drawstring jewelry pouch is also included.
The pouch features a rich woven brocade / damask-style floral pattern with dusty blue and gold accents over a warm copper-brown satin ground — a beautiful period complement to the bright yellow necklace.
The necklace, G. Fox presentation box and brocade pouch display wonderfully together and would make an especially attractive gift or addition to a curated vintage jewelry collection.
APPROXIMATE DETAILS
Brand / Maker: Richelieu
Type: Necklace
Style: Double Strand / Multi-Strand / Beaded Statement Necklace
Era: Late 1950s–Early 1960s Mid-Century / Early Mod
Color: Canary Yellow / Lemon Yellow / Sunshine Yellow / Marigold
Beads: Glossy opaque molded vintage plastic / acrylic, Lucite-style
Clasp: Gold-tone textured push / box clasp
Clasp Markings: RICHELIEU / PAT. PEND.
Approximate Necklace Length: 21–22 inches overall
Strands: 2
Included:
• Richelieu double-strand necklace
• Period G. Fox & Co. Hartford presentation box
• Vintage brocade drawstring jewelry pouch
CONDITION
Exceptionally clean vintage condition — easily among the nicest surviving examples of this type of necklace.
The beads retain their vivid, saturated yellow color and strong glossy finish with no obvious fading, peeling or significant surface damage observed.
The decorative gold-tone clasp remains attractive with light age-related surface wear / patina visible primarily under close inspection. The clasp mechanism functions properly and closes securely.
The G. Fox box and brocade pouch are also remarkably well preserved for their age and are included exactly as photographed.
Please review all close-up photographs, including the clasp markings and measurements, as they form an important part of the description.
WHY THIS ONE STANDS OUT
Many surviving Richelieu necklaces are found loose after decades of wear and storage. This example has exceptional visual presence and comes accompanied by a period G. Fox & Co. presentation box and decorative vintage pouch, creating a much more complete mid-century presentation.
The combination of:
• Signed RICHELIEU construction
• PAT. PEND. clasp marking
• Bold canary-yellow color
• Double-strand design
• Decorative textured gold-tone clasp
• Excellent / near-mint vintage appearance
• Period Hartford G. Fox & Co. presentation box
• Brocade jewelry pouch
makes this a particularly charming survivor from the golden age of American department-store costume jewelry.
A beautiful find for collectors of Richelieu jewelry, vintage costume jewelry, Mid-Century Modern accessories, 1950s jewelry, 1960s Mod fashion, vintage plastic jewelry, Lucite-style beads, statement necklaces, colorful retro fashion, old department-store memorabilia, G. Fox & Co. collectibles, or anyone who simply loves an unforgettable pop of vintage yellow.
Bright, cheerful, beautifully preserved and completely wearable — this is one of those vintage pieces that looks just as good styled today as it would have behind a department-store jewelry counter more than sixty years ago.