Boucher Jewelry is one of the names in collectible vintage costume jewelry. It began with Marcel Boucher who grew up in France but came to the US in his early 20s. Here he began working for Cartier in New York. When the depression hit and Cartier had to lay off workers, Boucher kept his skills honed by working freelance.
Come 1937 Marcel Boucher had teamed up with Arthur Halbersatdt to open Boucher and Cie. Boucher was the chief designer for all the costume jewelry while Halberstatdt focused on handling sales. A key pattern during this timeframe was a line of very intricate birds that seemed to nearly fly they were so realistic. The bird motif continued throughout the 1940s and is considered very collectible because of its distinguishing characteristics and complexity.
The preferred metal that Boucher worked with was white until World War II began. After that Boucher began using silver, perhaps inspired by his moved to Mexico and the abundance of silver available there. Boucher remained in Mexico until the War was over, at which time he returned to familiar stomping grounds – New York City.
Toward the end of the 1940s Halberstadt left Boucher and Cie, which meant Marcel was seriously short handed. To compensate, he invited Raymonde Semensohn, a designer with Henry Winston, to work with him.
Throughout the 1950s Semonsohn continued working with Boucher. During this time their designs were so popular that some unscrupulous types copied them. Prices were becoming highly competitive. So toward the end of the decade, Semonsohn went to Tiffany & Co. to design for them. Apparently, while a solid opportunity. Tiffany didn’t allow for much innovation. So in 1961 she returned to Boucher & Cie, and in 1964 became Boucher’s wife. In truly tragic fashion Marcel died only two months after their wedding. His wife continued to run the business until selling it in 1970 to Davorn Industries.
Identifying Boucher Jewelry
Most of Boucher jewelry is signed and bears an inventory number. Some marks for which to look include:
Marcel Boucher
Marboux (and early mark)
MB with cartouche (also early)
MB Sterling (1942-44)
Boucher (1950-55)
Boucher © (1955-71)
Phrygian Cap (1944-49)
In terms of inventory numbers, 2300-2350 was throughout 1945, 2450 ended in 1946, 2550 in 1947, 2750 in 1948, 3000 in 1949, and 3500 in 1950. Note that initially where only fifty pieces were being produced annually, that number jumped to 500 by the mid 1950s.
Besides having great attention to detail work and a knack for fluid designs, Boucher vintage jewelry frequently featured very high quality rhinestones, glass pearls, and enamel. Many pieces were so well made that some people could mistake them for real fashion jewelry.
Many collectors consider Marcel Boucher among the most creative designers of costume jewelry to ever live. To this day his works are highly sought after throughout the world. If you can find some of his early pieces from Cartier or Mazer brothers, these are a great investment along with bird motifs and fruit images.
Here are the current Boucher listings on eBay:
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| VINTAGE SIGNED BOUCHER WHITE ROSE BROOCH 7902P | |
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$26.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 45m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE ENAMEL RHINESTONES PEACOCK PIN or BROOCH BOUCHER | |
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$79.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1h 50m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Poodle Dog Pin signed Boucher Modele Depose 7702P | |
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$10.99 Time Remaining: 2h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Simple Gold Base Leaf Pin Brooch by Boucher 277 | |
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$15.99 Time Remaining: 2h 5m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Signed BOUCHER FLOWER Pin Brooch | |
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$79.99 Time Remaining: 2h 50m Buy It Now for only: $79.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| BOUCHER STYLE VINTAGE GREEN RHINESTONE GOLD WASH STERLING HARLEQUIN LADY PIN | |
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$275.00 Time Remaining: 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE 18 PC LOT PINS RS SIGNED PIECES KJL COROBOUCHER WEAR REPAIR HARVEST | |
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$45.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Figural ENAMEL WINGED ROADRUNNER BIRD w JELLY BELLY BEE BROOCH BOUCHER | |
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$33.79 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 56m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 1950s SIGNED BOUCHER PIN BROOCH w GENUINE PEARL Gold | |
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$24.99 Time Remaining: 4h 16m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Boucher Faux Turquoise Faux Diamond Pin Brooch Ornate Signed | |
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$149.99 Time Remaining: 5h 28m Buy It Now for only: $165.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Boucher 1960s CLEAR CRYSTALS 2 FIGURAL PUFFER FISH BROOCH NR | |
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$24.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5h 36m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| beautiful boucher 3 piece rhinestone set | |
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$50.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 43m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| BOUCHER TASSEL SET 7008 | |
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$316.00 (22 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 13m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Boucher Avon of Belleville Rhinestone Necklace Bracelet Earrings SET | |
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$12.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 6h 34m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| BEAUTIFUL 1940s STERLING BOUCHER ETCHED DESIGN BROOCH | |
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$14.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 42m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Marcel Boucher MB Early Rhinestone Floral Brooch | |
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$345.00 Time Remaining: 9h 2m Buy It Now for only: $345.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Boucher Faux Pearl Flower Pin Brooch CAT RESCUE | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 13h 40m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Signed BOUCHER Bracelet Earrings w Stones | |
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$288.75 Time Remaining: 16h 6m Buy It Now for only: $288.75 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| BOUCHER SIGNED LEAF RHINESTONE PIN NUMBER 6940 | |
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$29.99 Time Remaining: 17h 21m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Boucher Bracelet Vintage Rhinestones Rhodium Evening Dressy Elegant | |
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$224.99 Time Remaining: 18h 52m Buy It Now for only: $224.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| LOT VINTAGE COSTUME JEWELRY CHAINS NECKLACES ALL DESIGNER SIGNED BOUCHEREC | |
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$24.99 Time Remaining: 20h 6m Buy It Now for only: $44.75 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE HARLEQUIN MARDI GRAS BOUCHER ENAMEL RHINESTONE PIN | |
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$9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 20h 46m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Large Group Lot Vintage Designer Costume Jewelry Incl Weiss Trembler Boucher Etc | |
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$107.49 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 4m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SGND BOUCHER RHINESTONE HEARTS IN A WHEELBARROW PIN VALENTINES | |
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$10.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 16m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| BOUCHER 3 Strand Faux Pearl Necklace w Faux Turquoise Pave Pendant Enhancer | |
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$295.00 Time Remaining: 22h 31m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Large Group Lot 21 Vintage Designer Costume Jewelry Incl Grosse Florenza Boucher | |
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$99.98 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 22h 31m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Elegant signed 1960s BOUCHER Blue Glass Drop Necklace | |
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$85.00 Time Remaining: 1d 30m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Boucher Jonquille Flower Pin Brooch | |
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$19.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 1h 26m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SIGNED BOUCHER 3 DIMENSIONAL RHINESTONE ROSE BROOCH PIN GORGEOUS | |
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$15.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 1h 33m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| BOUCHER starburst gold tone brooch pin earrings demi parur | |
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$8.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 1m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Boucher style Unsigned Figural Rhinestone Enamel Flying Bird Pin Brooch | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 2h 20m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Huge 25 PC Lot of Vintage Rhinestone Jewelry Wear Repair Art Deco Boucher | |
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$61.00 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 57m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Boucher Rhodium Choker Necklace Signed LK | |
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$425.00 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 23m Buy It Now for only: $425.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Designer Signed BOUCHER Weeping Leaf Faux Pearl Goldtone Pin Estate | |
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$29.72 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 34m Buy It Now for only: $29.72 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE CLASSIC MARCEL BOUCHER SIGNED GOLD TONE BOW BROOCH 5919 | |
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$17.49 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE MARCEL BOUCHER BROOCH MODERNIST LEAF WITH RHINESTONES 6960 | |
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$13.49 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 31m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| BOUCHER GOLD TONE BROOCH PIN RED CLEAR RHINESTONES 5545 | |
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$44.95 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 38m Buy It Now for only: $44.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| RARE VINTAGE MARCEL BOUCHER EARRINGS MODERNIST CLAP ON 1950s 5599 | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 40m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| RARE BOUCHER 5721 SILVER TONE NECKLACE FAUX TURQUOISE AND AMETHYST CABOCHONS | |
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$224.95 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 49m Buy It Now for only: $224.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| AMAZING VINTAGE MARCEL BOUCHER MULTICOLOR RHINESTONES BOW BROOCH 8468 | |
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$14.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 52m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SIGNED BOUCHER BIRD OF PARADISE LARGE RHINESTONE BROOCH | |
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$25.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 6h 2m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| MARCEL BOUCHER HAND SIGNED ETCHED MCLL HB11 2 3 8 RHINESTONE GOLD BROOCH | |
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$6.49 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 6h 29m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Jewelry Trifari Boucher Lisner Pins Earrings | |
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$29.00 Time Remaining: 1d 7h 22m Buy It Now for only: $29.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Very FINE rare signed BOUCHER Douette clips BROOCH deployment mint condition | |
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$38.96 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 8h 21m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| HUGE VINTAGE RARE SIGNED BOUCHER GREEN RHINESTONE BIRD PIN BIRD OF PARADISE | |
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$275.00 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 1m Buy It Now for only: $275.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Boucher Earings Blue and Clear Stones | |
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$10.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 50m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| modernist vintage signed boucher heart pin brooch silver tone | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 39m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Boucher Silver Toned Brooch Pin With Pave Crystal Rhinestones | |
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$50.00 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 30m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Boucher 60s Art Moderne Rhinestone Flower Earrings | |
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$34.95 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 44m Buy It Now for only: $34.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE BOUCHER GENUINE PEARL CARNATION BROOCH | |
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$27.60 Time Remaining: 1d 20h 26m Buy It Now for only: $27.60 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
