Brooches in the shape of fish by Trifari
Brooches in the shape of fish by Trifari

How to recognize the true Trifari jewelry

Trifari jewelry is collected. But you know to recognize them? Here’s how.

Are you attracted by the charm of vintage, from jewelry that have a flavor of old times, of ornaments capable of taking a look of wonder? Here’s to you Trifari, America more Italy, mixed in the last century. The jewelry company was founded in 1910 by Gustavo Trifari, son of Neapolitan immigrants in the United States (there were other times). Trifari defined an era in American jewelery with necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets that have been worn by the First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, but also by Madonna. It is also merit of a French designer, Alfred Philippe, who was the creative mind of the House from 1930 until 1968. Although it is a costume jewelry brand, the production has also used techniques born in the jewelry, such as using the “invisible set» for the stones, that was invented by Van Cleef and Arpels.

Spilla cesto di fiori con smalto
Basket of flowers brooch with enamel

Among the most sought after pieces of Trifari there were the crowns. The pins Trifari Crown, from the late thirties to the fifties were among the most popular jewelry. There’s also a 1953 series that celebrates the ascension to the throne of Elizabeth II. Also very popular jewelry in the shape of animals or flowers: someone collects them. Realized for years simply not precious metal, costume jewelery during World War have gone to silver, because of the shortage of raw material intended for use in war. The Trifari family continued to manage Maison until 1975. Then the company was bought and sold several times until, in 2000, the Monet group has moved production abroad and marked the decline of the brand.

Spilla Ruby Girl Rag Doll
Ruby Girl Rag Doll Brooch

If you’re curious to know if you have jewelry in the drawer of this brand, take a look at the rear: it must appear the written Jewels by Trifari, or the initials TKF (Trifari, Krussman and Fishel), or simply Trifari.

Spilla cesto di fiori con cristalli
Basket of flowers brooch with crystals

The success of Trifari bijoux also derives from the VIP clientele, true influencers of the time, who advertised the brand by wearing the jewels. In the 1930s many Trifari bijoux were created for the Broadway musicals, at their peak at the time, and for many showgirls. And Trifari jewels were also worn by the first lady, the wife of President Eisenhower, Mary Geneva known as Mamie, who chose these jewels on the occasion of her husband’s inauguration in the White House in 1950. And nowadays, Madonna in the film Evita has worn Trifari jewelry.

Spilla Fleur de Lys
Fleur de Lys brooch
Spilla Romantic Couple Riding in a vintage car
Brooch Romantic Couple Riding in a vintage car
Collana con pendente bicolore, stile modernista
Necklace with two-tone pendant, modernist style
Spilla farfalla con zaffiri
Butterfly brooch with sapphires
Spilla a forma di pesce
Brooch in the shape of a fish
Spilla con perle finte
Faux pearl brooch
Set in tre pezzi: collana, orecchini e bracciale
Three-piece set: necklace, earrings and bracelet

16 Comments

  1. “Il metallo semplice” non era cosi semplice e banale – nel 1940, Trifari brevettò un processo di placcatura con Trifanium che dà alla bigiotteria la parvenza di oro o argento vero che in frattempo aiuta a mantenere la bellezza dei singoli pezzi per anni.
    Nel vostro blog ci sono pezzi in trifanium: “Spilla di Trifari con muso di leone” e “Spilla con perle finte”

  2. En el año 1995 más o menos adquirí un juego de collar y aretes y están como nuevos, en verdad hasta ahora me pongo a averiguar qué marca son porque di calidad es excelente y me doy cuenta que son bisutería de muy buena calidad? Deseara saber de qué material están elaborados y como podría adquirirlos? Ya que este juego se lo compre a un excompañero de universidad.

  3. Me acaban de regalar un brazalete de esta marca con diamantes ,será que tiene valor si alguien puede contactarme

    • Estimada Marilu, este es un sitio de información, no hacemos experiencia o experiencia en joyería. Gracias de todos modos, sigue leyendo!

  4. Hola tengo un juego de collar y aretes trifari me gustaría poder compartir una foto para q puedan verla es muy parecido al de la foto en oro y piedras marrones .también quisiera saber q costó tiene

    • Hola Yesi, no hacemos evaluaciones remotas sobre el valor de las joyas: ¡no queremos cometer errores! Pero hay una manera segura de identificar las joyas Trifari: debe haber una firma. Si no está firmado, no es Trifari. Le recomendamos que contacte a un joyero experto en su ciudad.

    • Ciao. Nuestro consejo: examina la pieza con una lupa en busca de letreros oficiales. Si encuentra un sello (una marca en relieve en el metal), debe indicar la pureza del oro, expresada en milésimas (1-999 o 0.1-0.999) o en quilates (10k, 14k, 18k, 22k o 24k).

  5. Hola me acaban de regalar un prendedor de dragón negro con blanco y piedras atrás trae trifásica cómo saber si tiene algún valor

    • Hola Alejandra, como escribimos en el artículo, si tienes curiosidad por saber si tienes bisutería de esta marca en tu cajón, echa un vistazo al reverso: debe aparecer la inscripción Jewels by Trifari, o la abreviatura TKF (Trifari, Krussman and Fishel ), o incluso simplemente Trifari.

  6. Hola Q tal una consulta, tengo una corona PRENDEDOR con la marca TRIFARI está en mi familia desde los años 50. No puedo ver ningún sello q indique q es oro!
    Le realiza varias pruebas caseras y parece ser oro!
    MI PREGUNTA ES: LAS CORONAS PRENDEDOR TRIFARI ORIGINALES SON DE ORO?
    Desde ya m gracias!!!

    • Estimado Victor, las joyas de oro siempre tienen un sello que indica la calidad de la aleación. Por tanto, comprueba atentamente si tu joya tiene grabado el punzón que certifica la composición del metal.

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