Vintage Trifari Jewelry is among the most loved and most collected Vintage Costume Jewelry. Trifari is often recommended for beginning collectors because there is an abundant supply, the pieces are signed, the designs are beautiful and elegant and most pieces are reasonably priced .
Trifari was founded in 1918 by Gustavo Trifari, an Italian immigrant who had learned the jewelry business from his grandfather, and his partner, Leo Krussman - the company was called
Trifari and Krussman and was started to manufacture ornate hair combs and other accessories. These pieces are marked TK. In the post World War I boom, their business was very successful. In 1925 Carl Fishel was added as a third partner and the company was called Trifari, Krussman and Fishel. Jewelry from this era is marked KTF, with the top of the T extending over the K & F. These pieces tend to be quite valuable. Alfred Phillippe joined Trifari as head designer in 1930. Phillippe had been a jeweler with Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and believed that costume jewelry should be a work of art. He set new standards for the costume jewelry industry by using the same craftmanship that was used in making fine jewelry. He created many designs using hand-set stones.
In 1938 the company, which was by then called Trifari, launched the first major advertising campaign by a costume jewelry company using the slogan "Jewels by Trifari". This ad campaign is credited with popularizing costume jewelry as a stylish and affordable alternative to fine jewelry.
In 1939 Trifari moved its manufacturing facilities to Providence, Rhode Island. For the next 50 years Providence was the worldwide center of fashion jewelry manufacturing.
During the years of World War II the metals normally used in crafting costume jewelry went to the war effort. Trifari and other costume jewelry manufacturers used sterling silver and gold-platings during the way years. Trifari produced patriotic red, white and blue jeweled pieces during the war years. Also during this time, Trifari was commissioned to make the emblems for Great Britain's Royal Air Force.
In 1940 Trifari patented "Trifanium" - a jewelry plating process that gave jewelry the look of gold or silver. The plating also protected the jewelry and helped it maintain its beauty over time.
In 1941 Trifari introduced their signature crown pin. It was vermeil with colored rhinestones, cabochons and square baguette stones. It is perhaps the most identifiable, and the most copied, Vintage Trifari Jewelry design. No vintage jewelry collection is complete without one!
Also during the World Was 2 years, Trifari began to manufacture their famous "jelly belly" items. Jelly Bellies are figural items - such as birds, dogs, owls or fish - with a clear Lucite belly. (Lucite was developed by DuPont in 1937. ) 
They are among some of the most collected and valuable Vintage Trifari Jewelry items. True Jelly Belly pieces have clear bellies. items with colored bellies are not considered to be true jelly bellies.
In 1952 Trifari made the inaugural jewelry for First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. Trifari made three set of the famous triple-strand pearl necklace - one for the First Lady, one for the Smithsonian Institution, one for Trifari's archives. Trifari again designed Mrs. Eisenhower's inaugural jewelry in 1956 when her husband was re-elected.
As fashion changes through the years, so did Trifari's designs. Designs from the 1960s have been described as "Bold, exotic shapes and gems, oversize baubles, intricate and
ethnic-inspired". The designs of the 1970s included big bold polished gold necklaces and Zodiac charms.
In 1975 the company joined Hallmark Card and was then bought out by Crystal Brands Jewelery Inc. In 1988 and finally Trifari became part of the Monet Group, which manufactured Monet and Marvella jewelry. In 2000, Liz Claiborne acquired Monet and the Trifari line was discontinued.
Here are the current Vintage Trifari Jewelry listings on eBay:
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| LOT OF JEWELRY 10K MAGNIFICENT VINTAGE CHAIN NECKLACE 1TRIFARI GOLDTONE | |
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$75.00 Time Remaining: 31m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Trifari Faux Pearl Demi Parure W String Tags Collector | |
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$79.99 Time Remaining: 33m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Trifari Flower Brooch Pin Pink Rhinestones Green Enamel | |
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$143.65 Time Remaining: 35m Buy It Now for only: $143.65 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Old Crown Trifari Moonstone Flower Brooch Earrings | |
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$74.99 Time Remaining: 39m Buy It Now for only: $74.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Beautiful vintage Crown Trifari Pin Brooch Great Condition NR 3 day Auction | |
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$15.50 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 40m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE PEARLS BY TRIFARI IN ORIGINAL OYSTER SHAPED BOX FROM LOCAL ESTATE | |
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$37.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 42m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SIGNED ROPE TRIFARI NECKLACE GOLD PLATED WITH WHITE BEADS | |
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$9.95 Time Remaining: 46m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| EXQUISITE Vintage 1940s CROWN TRIFARI RS Choker ERs | |
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$12.62 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 51m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Gorgeous Beautiful Set of Trifari Coral Necklace Bracelet and Clips | |
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$49.99 Time Remaining: 53m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 18 Pairs of Vintage Signed Trifari Clip On Earrings Nice Lot Costume Jewelry | |
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$93.75 Time Remaining: 54m Buy It Now for only: $93.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 1950s Crown Trifari Gold Washed Pearls and Rhinestones Necklace Bracelet SET | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 55m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Trifari Citrine Clear Rhinestones Swirl Pin | |
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$55.00 Time Remaining: 55m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| TRIFARI EARINGS RED JELLY BELLY CORNICOPIA 5900 | |
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$59.00 Time Remaining: 58m Buy It Now for only: $59.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| TRIFARI EARINGS THREE FASHION STONES 4900 | |
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$49.00 Time Remaining: 58m Buy It Now for only: $49.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage 1980s Crown Trifari White Milk Cabochons Link Bracelet Earrings Set | |
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$89.00 Time Remaining: 59m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Trifari Cuff Bracelet | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 4m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Trifari Necklace Goldtone Rhinestones 16 Long NICE | |
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$93.75 Time Remaining: 1h 4m Buy It Now for only: $93.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Trifari pin Flower Basket Faux Pearls Stamped on back with Trifari | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 817 Vintage Costume Jewelry Lot Brooch Necklace+ MONET TRIFARI SARAH COVENTRY | |
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$102.50 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 8m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Trifari Bracelet Goldtone 7 1 4 Long NICE | |
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$30.00 Time Remaining: 1h 9m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage TRIFARI Gold Tone Hoop Drop Earrings Dangling SIGNED Clip Ons | |
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$7.99 Time Remaining: 1h 9m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Signed Trifari Brushed Gold Tone Rose Brooch Pinclip earrings | |
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$15.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 15m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Crown Trifari Goldtone Pendant | |
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$5.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 20m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage TRIFARI Goldtone Knot Brooch | |
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$1.99 Time Remaining: 1h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage signed TRIFARI w crown pink and gold clip on earrings 1950s | |
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$3.99 Time Remaining: 1h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Crown Trifari bracelet and earrings set | |
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$5.50 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 25m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| LADIES VINTAGE CROWN TRIFARI DECO 2 TONE DBL STRAND FAUX PEARLS STERLING CLASP | |
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$29.99 Time Remaining: 1h 26m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| SIGNED TRIFARI HUMMINGBIRD BROACH PIN VINTAGE | |
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$6.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 29m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Crown Trifari Jelly Belly Figural Fish Brooch | |
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$225.00 Time Remaining: 1h 36m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| BEAUTIFUL LG SIGNED CROWN TRIFARI WHITE MILK GLASS RHINESTONE LEAF BROOCH | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 37m Buy It Now for only: $18.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Lot of Costume Jewelry Parts Some Signed Trifari 339A | |
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$6.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 39m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 24 PCS VINTAGE ESTATE MIXED JEWELRY LOT6 TRIFARI CROWN CORO ETC | |
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$29.99 Time Remaining: 1h 42m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Silvertone Leaf Trifari Brooch Enameled Flower JJ Brooch | |
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$9.50 Time Remaining: 1h 42m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE TRIFARI BRIGHT GOLDTONE 5 MM HERRINGBONE STYLE NECKLACE BEAUTIFUL | |
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$16.95 Time Remaining: 1h 42m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage TRIFARI LEAF Clip Earrings Goldtone Silver Hoop | |
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$12.99 Time Remaining: 1h 43m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| 24 bracelets trifari west germany silvertone goldtone plastic or bakelite | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 1h 45m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Plastic Trifari Red White Necklace Bracelet Earring Set Signed REtro | |
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$14.95 Time Remaining: 1h 47m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Classic Trifari Gold Flat Curb Link Gold Bead Necklace | |
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$15.00 Time Remaining: 1h 53m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Lot Brooch Pin Leaf Silver Tone Signed Trifari SAC | |
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$2.24 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 53m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE TRIFARI 1 1 2 RED SHELL EARRINGS | |
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$2.99 Time Remaining: 1h 56m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| TRIFARI VINTAGE SILVER TONE FAUX PEARL SWIRL PIN | |
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$23.00 Time Remaining: 1h 56m Buy It Now for only: $23.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Trifari Root Beer Cabochon Crystal Rhinestone Brooch | |
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$37.49 Time Remaining: 2h 3m Buy It Now for only: $37.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Signed TRIFARI Pieces Pins Clip Earrings Free S H | |
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$7.50 Time Remaining: 2h 4m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE TRIFARI GOLD TONE ENAMEL CLIP LEAF EARRINGS | |
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$36.00 Time Remaining: 2h 9m Buy It Now for only: $36.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Fashion Jewelry Pins Signed Trifari Flower goldtone | |
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$7.00 Time Remaining: 2h 17m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| GLASS CABACHONS JEWELS OF INDIA CROWN TRIFARI GOLD TONE VINTAGE BROOCH PIN | |
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$276.25 Time Remaining: 2h 17m Buy It Now for only: $276.25 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Trifari Costume Jewelry Silver Natural Pearl Necklace | |
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$12.99 Time Remaining: 2h 19m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Mid Century Modern Trifari Gold Tone Stick Pin | |
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$4.99 Time Remaining: 2h 19m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Crown Trifari Shooting Star Rhinestone White Yellow Pin Brooch | |
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$113.50 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 28m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE TRIFARI MODERNISTIC BROOCH EARRINGS | |
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$16.99 Time Remaining: 2h 28m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
