13 Vintage Jewelry Brands Worth Collecting
Vintage jewelry has a way of stopping you in your tracks. From the sculptural shape of a bold brooch to the delicate beauty of a mid-century necklace, these pieces carry stories, personality, and undeniable charm.
What makes the experience even more special is that vintage jewelry offers a chance to enjoy standout fashion without the pressure of buying new.
This guide highlights 13 vintage jewelry brands that collectors and everyday style fans continue to celebrate. From iconic luxury houses to affordable jewelry labels known for their creativity, these brands span classic elegance and playful experimentation, proving that great jewelry design never goes out of style.
1. Cartier
Cartier is a French luxury house renowned for iconic, timeless designs such as the Trinity ring and the Panthère collection. The first fully realized Panthère jewel was crafted for Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, in 1948.
What collectors love:
Strong Art Deco influence with bold geometric patterns, graceful shapes, and carefully chosen gems.
High-quality materials and timeless beauty
Pieces that elevate everyday fashion and special events alike
You can identify vintage jewelry pieces through precise engraving and metal purity hallmarks, while newer pieces include serial numbers. When shopping for vintage brooches, signed Cartier pieces are investment-grade collectibles that tend to hold their value.
2. Miriam Haskell
Founded in the 1920s, Miriam Haskell is one of the most beloved costume jewelry brands, celebrated for its intricate hand-wired construction and romantic details.
What collectors love:
Intricate hand-wired construction
Use of Russian gold-plated filigrees, seed pearls, art glass, and floral details
Artistic, feminine designs with lots of charm
Early unsigned pieces that showcase distinctive craftsmanship
Because many early pieces were unsigned, part of the fun is learning how to spot her distinctive style.. Later items display a horseshoe-shaped marking or oval cartouche. Collectors often seek earlier, unsigned pieces recognized by their distinctive hand-wired craftsmanship.
3. Tiffany & Co.
America's most famous luxury jeweler, Tiffany & Co., has long been a benchmark in the industry for their elegant sterling silver designs and engagement rings since 1837. Their iconic Blue packaging and nature-inspired motifs are instantly recognizable.
What collectors love:
Sterling silver designs that feel timeless and wearable
Nature-inspired motifs and clean silhouettes
Versatility that works with casual and dressier fashion
Accessible vintage pieces that still feel special
Look for "Tiffany & Co." stamps alongside sterling purity marks. For an accessible entry point, vintage mid-century sterling pieces offer beautiful craftsmanship at approachable prices.
4. Chanel
Coco Chanel revolutionized costume jewelry in the 1920s, making it fashionable to mix real and faux pieces. Her pieces are well-known for celebrating bold fashion and expressive personality.
What collectors love:
Byzantine-inspired crosses, long pearl strands, bold chain vintage necklaces, and drop earrings
Mixing faux and fine materials in creative ways
Edgy, oversized designs that still feel chic
Statement pieces that instantly add personality to an outfit
Authentic Chanel pieces carry "CHANEL" stamping, often with a copyright symbol. They also weigh substantially more than lightweight imitations. Items from the Karl Lagerfeld era are increasingly collectible alongside earlier designs.
5. Van Cleef & Arpels
Founded in 1906, this French maison pioneered innovations like the Mystery Set technique for invisible stone settings. The Alhambra four-leaf clover motif is their signature. Recent Sotheby’s auctions reinforce the brand’s enduring value, with exceptional vintage pieces reaching multimillion-dollar results.
What collectors love:
Signature Alhambra motif and delicate detailing
Thoughtful use of color and precious stones
Elegant pieces that feel refined yet approachable
Jewelry that feels timeless and easy to wear forever
Pieces bear the VCA hallmark, serial numbers, and purity marks. Vintage brooches and clips from the 1930s through 1960s represent some of the finest jewelry artistry and craftsmanship ever produced.
6. Trifari
American costume jewelry reached new heights when Alfred Philippe brought his Cartier experience to Trifari. The crown logo symbolized quality on par with fine jewelry standards.
Here's what makes Trifari special:
Fruit salad jewelry: Colorful glass stones arranged to mimic precious gems
Jelly belly figurals: Whimsical animal brooches with translucent "bellies"
Invisible settings: Philippe adapted this Cartier technique for costume jewelry
Collectors prize pieces marked with the crown over standard text. Philippe-era designs from the 1930s through 1960s remain most desirable. Trifari pieces regularly appear on ShopGoodwill.com, offering collectors a consistent opportunity to acquire the brand's items in an online auction.
7. Bulgari (Bvlgari)
Italian luxury meets bold design in this jewelry brand founded in 1884. Vintage Bulgari jewelry is bold, confident, and unmistakable.
What collectors love:
Sculptural designs inspired by Roman architecture
Cabochon gemstones and rich color palettes
Strong, oversized silhouettes from the 1970s and 1980s
Pieces that make a powerful fashion statement
Authentic pieces feature heavy 18k gold construction and vibrant gems. The brand also uses "BVLGARI" with the Roman "V." Their bold 1970s and 1980s designs are increasingly sought after as investment pieces.
8. Monet
Operating from 1937 to present, Monet built its reputation on durable, everyday pieces. Their gold-tone finishes resist tarnishing, making them practical for regular wear.
What collectors love:
Reliable durability and consistent quality
Gold-tone finishes that hold up over time
Clean, stylish designs with great versatility
Affordable jewelry that’s easy to mix and match
Pieces marked "Monet" or "Monet ©" maintain consistent quality. For new collectors, Monet offers an affordable entry point, with mid-century modern designs remaining particularly popular.
9. Boucheron
An original Place Vendôme jeweler, Boucheron has created exceptional pieces since 1858. This French house became known for creating vintage pieces that feel expressive, refined, and deeply artistic.
What collectors love:
Nature-inspired and floral motifs
Elegant designs from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods
Jewelry that feels sculptural without being flashy
A strong balance of beauty and craftsmanship
Look for "Boucheron Paris" stamping and metal hallmarks. Vintage Belle Époque items embody museum-quality artistry, featuring exceptional gemstones and craftsmanship.
10. Coro
Coro is one of the biggest names in American costume jewelry, known for variety and creativity. This American giant operated from 1901 to 1979, bringing innovative designs and affordable glamor to shoppers. Designer Gene Verri created many of Coro’s popular pieces during the peak years.
What collectors love:
Convertible Duette brooches with clever design
Jelly belly pieces and trembler pins
Bold statement pieces from multiple decades
Playful details paired with solid construction
A wide range of styles to pick from
Coro used multiple markings, helping date pieces:
"Coro" - Standard marking on most pieces
"Corocraft" - Higher-end line with better materials
Pegasus symbol - Another identifying mark
"Coro Sterling" - Used on sterling silver pieces
11. Dior
Christian Dior launched his jewelry line in 1947. Elaborate crystal work and bold statement necklaces captured post-war glamour, while contemporaries like Schiaparelli pushed boundaries with surrealist pieces.
What collectors love:
Elaborate crystal work and bold drop necklaces
Designs that feel dramatic yet wearable
Strong artistic influence tied to couture fashion
Pieces that instantly elevate an outfit
Marks like "Christian Dior" or "Chr. Dior" indicate authenticity. German-made pieces from the Henkel & Grosse collaboration often include dates. Items from the 1950s and 1960s remain most desirable.
12. Weiss
Operating from 1942 to 1971, Weiss earned its reputation for sparkling rhinestones and precise construction.
What collectors love:
High-quality, Austrian crystal stones with exceptional clarity that rivaled fine jewelry
Clean settings that enhance overall beauty
Classic designs that work for many occasions
Jewelry that balances affordability and elegance
Pieces marked "Weiss" or "Weiss ©" should feature stones with brilliant clarity. Christmas tree brooches are iconic collectibles, though all Weiss pieces attract attention for their remarkable crystal quality and meticulous prong settings.
13. Sarah Coventry
Operating from 1949 to 1984, Sarah Coventry sold through home parties, making designer looks accessible. Their fashion-forward designs ranged from delicate to bold.
What collectors love:
Oversized pendants, textured gold-tone chains, sculptural earrings, and colorful stones
Matching sets with nostalgic charm
Affordable pieces that celebrate personal style
Jewelry that feels fun, expressive, and easy to wear
Markings include "Sarah Cov," "Sarah Coventry," or "Emmons." Complete matching sets with original packaging are especially desirable, with nostalgia driving much of today’s collecting demand.
Vintage Jewelry Discoveries on ShopGoodwill.com
The thrill of unexpected discovery makes collecting vintage jewelry exciting. You never know when a signed brooch, mid-century necklace, or unexpected designer find might appear, keeping the hobby fresh and exciting.
ShopGoodwill.com brings this treasure-hunting experience online, offering donated jewelry from Goodwill stores nationwide. You’ll discover a wide range of eras, styles, and brands up for online auctions. Every purchase supports Goodwill's job training and employment programs, so your collection grows while contributing to meaningful community impact.
Sources:
Sotheby’s.(2025), How Jeanne Toussaint Inspired and Popularized the Iconic Cartier Panthère. https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/how-jeanne-toussaint-inspired-and-popularized-the-iconic-cartier-panthere
National Jeweler. (2024). Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace From 1929 Sells for $3.6M at Auction. https://nationaljeweler.com/articles/12975-van-cleef-arpels-necklace-from-1929-sells-for-3-6m-at-auction