| Let's look at some characteristics of Trifari costume | | | | florals and bird designs still popular. More jelly bellies |
| jewelry from the 1930s to the '50s. | | | | and lots of pave rhinestones were featured. A 1949 |
| From 1937 to at least the 1950s, Trifari's premier | | | | Poodle brooch with a green jelly belly is very popular |
| designer was Alfred Phillipe. Popular brooch designs | | | | with collectors. |
| were geometric, florals, leaves and berries, animals | | | | In the 1950s designs became even more abstract, |
| and people. Colored and clear rhinestones were set in | | | | and flowers, leaves, bows, hearts and animals in |
| intricate patterns, or combined with pastel colored | | | | rhinestones, plastic, and jelly bellies were very popular. |
| plastic inserts in the shape of flowers. Many are | | | | White plastic motifs such as apples, pears and |
| signed "KTF". Watch for age-darkened rhinestones, a | | | | flowers set in gold-tone metal were very desirable, |
| common flaw on these early pieces. | | | | as well as multi-colored rhinestone brooches and |
| The 1940s saw Joseph Wuyts' designs join Alfred | | | | earrings. |
| Philippe. Florals were still very popular, in addition to | | | | In the 1950s charm bracelets became popular, and |
| birds, fish, hearts, and figures. Brooches featured | | | | Trifari produced charms of the signs of the Zodiac. |
| colorful enameled flowers and sparkling rhinestones. | | | | These charms sold for $5.00! I would have had to |
| Poured glass was another method used to depict | | | | baby-sit for 10 hours to earn enough for one, plus |
| flowers. Pave rhinestones (an all-over pattern | | | | another 4 hours for the bracelet! |
| rhinestones very close together) combined with red | | | | Necklaces of gold tone with clear and colored |
| or black enamel were commonly found features on | | | | rhinestones were featured in the 1950s, and |
| jewelry from the early 1940s. | | | | flower-and-leaf designs were popular. The late '50s |
| During the War years, Sterling Silver was used in | | | | saw plastic and enamel pieces in white and turquoise, |
| costume jewelry, as other metals were needed for | | | | as well as sparkling rhinestone brooches in flower, |
| the war effort. "Jelly Belly" jewelry made its | | | | key and wreath shapes. |
| appearance in 1943. These were clear lucite "bellies" | | | | As you can see, there were many many designs of |
| that formed the bodies of animal, fish and bird | | | | Trifari costume jewelry down through the years. If |
| figures. Authentic jelly belly pieces are very collectible, | | | | you're lucky enough to come across a vintage piece, |
| but be aware that some jelly belly jewelry has been | | | | examine it closely, be sure that it is indeed vintage, |
| reproduced. | | | | and be proud to add it to your collection. |
| The late 1940s saw more abstract designs, with | | | | |