The story of Hattie Carnegie Jewelry begins with Henrietta Kanengeiser, also known as Hattie Carnegie, who was an important name in both fashion and vintage jewelry.
Born in Vienna in 1889, Henrietta worked at Macy's at the age of 16 making hats, which is how she received the nickname Hattie. She continued trimming hats for five years before she moved into her own shop (called Carnegie – Ladies Hatter). People loved her hats, but Hattie's spirit kept reaching for new heights. Within a few years she began designing dresses and by 1920 her designs were coveted around the world.
This simple beginning would turn into a truly amazing career, particularly for a woman in the 1930s. By that time Hattie employed thousands of workers and had a 10 million dollar business that included jewelry, hats, clothing, and perfume. She focused on simple, beautiful clothing meant to show off a woman's best features.
Unlike some clothiers, the woman in Hattie's dresses was intended to be the star of the show, not the clothing itself. So while her clothing had a French finesse, it remained functional and comfortable. Hattie's jewelry designs were expressly intended to coordinate with her clothing, but soon became a popular line with or without any accompaniment.
1939 marked the year in which Hattie Carnegie jewelry began appearing on the market. Many of her pieces had special themes including Greek-styled jewelry and Asian-inspired pieces. Many pins featured animals and fish. Beyond these themes, one of her hallmarks was the addition of fine rhinestones.
Markings:
There are three potential markings to watch for when shopping for Hattie Carnegie vintage jewelry. The first is “Hattie Carnegie”, second is “Carnegie”, and the third but less frequently used on was simply HC inside a diamond, inside a half oval.
These items were also trademarked by Carnegie:
Double Exposure earrings (1948)
Pooped Pussy cat hair pin (1965)
Pooped Poodle hair pin (1965)
Miss Hattie – 1958
Valentino for Hattie Carnegie (1979)
Ann Klein for Carnegie (1979)
Yves Saint Laurent for Carnegie (1978)
Chrystya Olenska for Hattie Carnegie
Tips for Collectors:
Any of the Hattie Carnegie Vintage Jewelry that's from a theme line is highly collectible. Although there were also earrings, bracelets and necklaces, a Hattie Carnegie Booch is the most coveted and collected item from this line. Note that her work continued to be produced after her death in 1956, and this does not carry as much value as the pre-death pieces. Additionally, any pieces that feature makers marks other than “Hattie Carnegie” are more highly prized.
Here are the current listings on eBay:
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| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Leaf Brooch | |
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$24.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 5h 35m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE ENAMEL SEA CREATURE PIN PERFECT CONDITION | |
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$49.95 Time Remaining: 6h 19m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| HARD TO FIND HATTIE CARNEGIE JADE GLASS RS FROG PIN EXCELLENT COND | |
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$85.00 Time Remaining: 6h 30m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Jet Bead Molded Bead Clip Back Earrings | |
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$15.99 Time Remaining: 7h 39m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Spiked Petal Flower Pin Vintage Hattie Carnegie Dimensional Brooch | |
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$179.99 Time Remaining: 7h 45m Buy It Now for only: $179.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Signed Hattie Carnegie Yellow Clip Earrings | |
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$18.66 Time Remaining: 7h 52m Buy It Now for only: $18.66 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Signed Pin Earrings | |
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$49.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 8h 33m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Signed Pin | |
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$19.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 8h 54m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Awesome Fun Rare Hattie Carnegie Animal Pin | |
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$56.50 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 11h 47m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| AMAZING VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE NECKLACEEARRINGS SET | |
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$190.49 Time Remaining: 12h 20m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| SCARCE HATTIE CARNEGIE 40 NECKLACEEARRINGS SET | |
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$52.99 Time Remaining: 12h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| SWEET VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE LADY BUG GLASS BELLY RHINESTONE BROOCH PIN BOOK PC | |
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$123.25 Time Remaining: 13h 26m Buy It Now for only: $123.25 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| QUIRKY VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE RHINESTONE PEARL FISH BROOCH PIN BOOK PIECE | |
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$155.00 Time Remaining: 13h 48m Buy It Now for only: $155.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Extraordinary Brooch Clip | |
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$385.00 Time Remaining: 14h 58m Buy It Now for only: $385.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Signed Hattie Carnegie Rhinestone Mesh Choker Necklace | |
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$39.99 Time Remaining: 15h Bid now | Add to watch list |
| HATTIE CARNEGIE TRIPLE CUT RINGS PIN EARRINGS SET | |
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$125.00 Time Remaining: 15h 27m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Earrings | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 16h 26m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VERY RARE Vintage Fur Dress Clip HC Signed First Mark HATTIE CARNEGIE | |
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$495.00 Time Remaining: 16h 46m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Estate Find Rare Hattie Carnegie Signed RST Faux Pearl Bracelet | |
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$75.00 Time Remaining: 17h 13m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SIGNED HATTIE CARNEGIE BROOCH PIN EARRINGS SET RHINESTONE | |
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$49.99 Time Remaining: 17h 43m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE 3 D SET BROOCH PENDANT EARRINGS CRYSTAL RHINESTONES A++ | |
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$99.99 Time Remaining: 17h 48m Buy It Now for only: $160.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Rhinestone Chain Clip Earrings | |
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$23.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 59m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| HATTIE CARNEGIE BLACK GLASS BEAD GOLD TONE HEART VINTAGE NECKLACE w ORIGINAL TAG | |
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$133.02 Time Remaining: 18h 12m Buy It Now for only: $133.02 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| WOWIE HATTIE CARNEGIE BIG CABOCHONS RHINESTONE PARURE | |
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$550.00 Time Remaining: 18h 39m Buy It Now for only: $550.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| HATTIE CARNEGIE Rootbeer Rhinestone Necklace Errng Set | |
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$90.99 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 45m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage 1960s Bakelite SARDINE CAN HATTIE CARNEGIE Pendant | |
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$650.00 Time Remaining: 18h 50m Buy It Now for only: $650.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SIGNED HATTIE CARNEGIE 3 STAND YELLOW CRYSTAL GLASS BEAD NECKLACE | |
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$50.00 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 56m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SIGNED HATTIE CARNEGIE NECKLACE AND EARRINGS GREEN BLUE GLASS RS | |
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$79.99 Time Remaining: 19h 17m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Unsigned Hattie Carnegie White Thermoplastic Leaf Pin | |
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$124.00 Time Remaining: 19h 23m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 50s Vintage Signed Hattie Carnegie Gold White Choker Necklace Earrings Set | |
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$9.95 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 19h 41m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Large Rhinestone Pin Signed and Fabulous | |
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$199.00 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 7m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Rhinestone Earring Clips | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 48m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Signed Hattie Carnegie Faux Pearl Rhinestone Earrings | |
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$19.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 6h 51m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Pin Brooch Medal Crest Chain Medallion Estate Find | |
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$9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 4m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Brooch Pin Bug Fly | |
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$20.00 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 10m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Signed Vintage Gold Tone Bracelet with Blue Stones | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 12m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| 1940s 50s Hattie Carnegie Exquisite Vintage Rhinestone Bracelet Pristine | |
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$245.00 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 17m Buy It Now for only: $245.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Earrings Signed | |
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$22.50 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 30m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Faux PearlCrystalR S Necklace Earring | |
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$155.00 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 41m Buy It Now for only: $155.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| HATTIE CARNEGIE MOTHER OF PEARL RHINESTONE JAPANNED BACK HIGH DOME BROOCH 1960 | |
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$189.99 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Jewelry Book Costume Rhinestone | |
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$26.95 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 4m Buy It Now for only: $26.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Gold Tone Austrian Crystal Demi Parure | |
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$325.00 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 9m Buy It Now for only: $325.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Faux Pearl Necklace Clip Earring Set Mid Century Mad Men | |
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$20.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 5m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| HATTIE CARNEGIE Marble Glass Beaded Vintage Necklace | |
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$49.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 14m Buy It Now for only: $49.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage HATTIE CARNEGIE Brooch Pin Figural Aztec Warrior Signed BK PC | |
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$419.00 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 19m Buy It Now for only: $419.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage HATTIE CARNEGIE Brooch Pin Figural Fish Pearl Turquoise | |
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$107.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 31m Buy It Now for only: $107.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| HATTIE CARNEGIE Brooch Pin TREMBLER Pearl Rhinestone Vintage BOOK PC | |
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$159.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 48m Buy It Now for only: $159.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| BOOK PEICE HATTIE CARNEGIE LARGE TREMBLER SILVER INSECT BROOCH VINTAGE | |
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$25.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 48m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie glass bead necklace | |
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$100.00 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 22m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie hinged Rhinestone Pearl Bracelet BeautifulSigned | |
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$49.99 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
