Hobbeads

FLORENZA - Producing late 1940s - 1982 

Produced by Dan Kasoff New York City NY-company named after his wife. 

Before FLORENZA The Dan Kasoff Company produce jewelry. FLORENZA designed and manufactured jewelry for many other companies.  

Style -  Victorian mostly antiqued gold-understated and appreciated despite quality and craftsmanship. 

AMSEL - 

GROSSE- 1907-current

SIMBO - Smith and Bond Company of Canada 

AVON - 

GERMANY -  Manufactured items were generally not labeled "Germany" before 1895. PIeces bearing this label generally date from 1895 or later.

GERRYS -  1950s through 1996

Founder was Geraldine Giles 

Best known for their Christmas Brooches and Pins and Sport themed brooches & pins like Bowling, Tennis. From the beginning the founder decided to produce funny and inexpensive costume jewelry. The first brooches, created in enamel and painted metal, were made in the shape of animals with personality. In 1970 J. Isakajan Narzikul, a talented immigrant from Uzbekistan in the USA, bought the company "Gerry's".

ALPACA MEXICO - 

Alpaca Silver is a metal alloy of copper, nickel and sometimes zinc or iron. The metal is a shiny silver color. Alpaca Silver is often used in Mexico, Central America and South America. It is also common in and has been historically used through out most parts of the world and may go by other names such as German Silver or Nickel Silver. The alpaca necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings incorporate real semi-precious gemstones, handmade glass, and abalone. Alpaca Silver does not need to be coated to protect its shine and it does not rust.

WILD BRYDE - 1980 - CURRENT

Founded by Mike Warner

Line includes over 5,000 species-specific animal, plant and nature designs in the form of earrings, pins, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and barrettes. Each piece is hammered by hand with a special plannishing tool.

JANE DAVIS - 1993-Current

Designing custom fashion jewelry, and evolving into scripture-based angel pins in Texas. 

CZECHOSLOVAKIA -  was established after WWI in 1918. Previously it had been called Bohemia, Moravia, Austrian Silesia and Slovakia. Not all Czechoslovakian Jewelry was marked. Marks can be found on the back, jump or spring ring and on the pin stem. Don’t be surprised if you find any of these marks misspelled as it did happen. Some of the marks include: Czechoslovakia, Czecho-slovakia, Made in Czechoslovakia, Czech and Czecho. The unmarked jewelry is easily recognized by its distinct style and embellishments. The findings are often made of brass that is stamped or cast. The jewelry was made of glass beads and rhinestones in beautiful colors and shapes. The country has a rich history in glass making including hand-blown, molded and cut glass. In the mid 1800’s the glass produced here surpassed all other areas in quality, quantity, and diversity.

3298?

GES GESCH - 

is short for 'Gesetzlich geschützt,' means “registered mark” in german and the pieces are Made in Germany.  On antiques of German origin, The earliest that the term Geschützt was used was 1899. Therefore, any number of authentic antiques of German origin may not have this mark its absence can suggest an even older age for the piece.

Charming Charlie - 2004 current

Founded by Charles Chanaratsopon - now owned by  Houston-based CJS Group LP.

offering a wide array of women’s apparel and fashion accessories, beauty, gifts and more, all ingeniously arranged by color; making that perfect look fun and easy to find. Carefully-curated collections, featuring breathtaking volumes of color and something special for every occasion.