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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| FABULOUS PALE BLUE GLASS MOONSTONE HATTIE CARNEGIE NECKLACE EARRINGS SET BOOK PC | |
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$495.00 Time Remaining: 1h 13m Buy It Now for only: $495.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Gorgeous Signed Hattie Carnegie Brooch | |
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$75.00 (17 Bids) Time Remaining: 2h 35m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Mouse Pin VGC Too cute | |
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$22.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4h 7m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Stunning Hattie Carnegie Beaded Necklace 3 Strands | |
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$79.97 Time Remaining: 4h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VTG HATTIE CARNEGIE SIGNED RHINESTONE BROOCH PIN COSTUME JEWELRY | |
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$15.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 49m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie brooch a monkey Signed | |
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$20.99 Time Remaining: 5h 52m Buy It Now for only: $25.99 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie clip dangle earrings original card | |
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$79.99 Time Remaining: 6h 6m Buy It Now for only: $120.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage HATTIE CARNEGIE Lucite Figural TURTLE Brooch | |
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$169.00 Time Remaining: 7h 42m Buy It Now for only: $169.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Gold Tone Austrian Crystal Demi Parure | |
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$365.00 Time Remaining: 9h 22m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VTG HATTIE CARNEGIE ABSTRACT DECO DESIGN BROOCH BEAUTY | |
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$75.00 Time Remaining: 9h 24m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| FABULOUS VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE TRIPLE STRAND ART GLASS LUCITE BEAD NECKLACE | |
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$175.00 Time Remaining: 9h 54m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie Goldtone faux Pearl Black Rhinestone Brooch Pendent Enhancer | |
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$9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 10h 9m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE LARGE HATTIE CARNEGIE RAINBOW COLORFUL RHINESTONE BROOCH SIGNED PIN | |
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$46.00 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 10h 37m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie NECKLACE black | |
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$4.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 11h 3m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Signed HATTIE CARNEGIE Brooch Pin Figural Rooster Lucite Thermoplastic | |
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$295.00 Time Remaining: 11h 25m Buy It Now for only: $295.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| RARE VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE voodoo doctor warrior BROOCH PIN JEWELRY | |
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$175.00 Time Remaining: 11h 29m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Brushed Gold Tone Leaf Brooch | |
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$36.00 Time Remaining: 11h 43m Buy It Now for only: $36.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Signed Bearded Goldfish Enameled glass eyed Pin | |
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$65.00 Time Remaining: 12h 11m Buy It Now for only: $195.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Rare HATTIE CARNEGIE Large 3 Rhinestone BROOCH w EARRINGS Pink Ice Blue Demi | |
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$129.99 Time Remaining: 13h 8m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Multicolor Rhinestones Butterfly Brooch HUGE | |
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$69.99 Time Remaining: 13h 58m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE EARRINGS RED BLACK PINK CARNEGIE CLIP ON EARRINGS WOW | |
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$19.99 Time Remaining: 14h 6m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE BROOCH OF A CHRISTMAS TREE SIGNED HATTIE CARNEGIE | |
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$22.72 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 10m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| HATTIE CARNEGIE VINTAGE CLIP ON EARRINGS SIGNED SCRIPT | |
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$6.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 14h 30m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Faux Coral Dragon Greek Designs Brooch Pendant | |
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$175.00 Time Remaining: 17h 43m Buy It Now for only: $200.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| RARE HATTIE CARNEGIE GOLD PINE CONE PEARL CLUSTER CLIP ON EARINGS HIGH END | |
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$16.57 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 19h Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Clip on Earrings CAT RESCUE | |
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$74.99 Time Remaining: 23h 34m Buy It Now for only: $74.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Hattie Carnegie CORAL ORANGE flower power earrings clip signed | |
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$31.99 Time Remaining: 23h 52m Buy It Now for only: $31.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE THREE STRAND GREEN NECKLACE | |
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$85.00 Time Remaining: 1d 36m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Signed Marked Multicolor Brooch Pin Gorgeous | |
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$22.22 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 1h 50m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE JADE GLASS BELLY RHINESTONE OWL BROOCH PIN BOOK PIECE | |
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$225.00 Time Remaining: 1d 3h 12m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Fabulous Vintage Green White Baguette Rhinestone Bracelet Hattie Carnegie | |
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$297.49 Time Remaining: 1d 4h 14m Buy It Now for only: $297.49 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage HATTIE CARNEGIE Gold Tone Mesh Leaf Design Clip Earrings | |
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$35.09 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 7m Buy It Now for only: $35.09 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage HATTIE CARNEGIE RHINESTONE BROOCH WITH A PEARL DROP | |
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$37.66 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 7h 54m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE SIGNED HATTIE CARNEGIE ICE BLUE TURQUOISE CABS RHINESTONE BROOCH PIN | |
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$145.00 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 33m Buy It Now for only: $145.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage 40s 50s Signed Hattie Carnegie Unusual Dome Gold Tone Dangle Bracelet | |
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$99.00 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 47m Buy It Now for only: $125.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Heron Rhinestone Lucite Brooch BOOK PIECE | |
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$79.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 13m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE GOLD TONE CLEAR RHINESTONES LARGE CLIP EARRINGS PRETTY | |
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$119.00 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 19m Buy It Now for only: $119.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Rare Vintage HATTIE CARNEGIE Brooch with Red Rhinestones | |
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$80.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 24m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage 1950s CLIP EARRINGS GOLD TONE BAROQUE FAUX PEARLS HATTIE CARNEGIE | |
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$7.77 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 11h 26m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Hattie Carnegie Pearl Gold Flower Clip Earrings | |
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$44.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 47m Buy It Now for only: $44.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| ELEGANT Vintage SIGNED HATTIE CARNEGIE Art Glass and Rhinestone Brooch HUGE | |
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$10.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 24m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| SWEET Vintage Signed Hattie Carnegie Owl with Art Glass Belly | |
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$9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 35m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| FUN HATTIE CARNEGIE ENAMEL FIGURAL CRICKET 3 D PIN | |
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$75.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 42m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| RARE VINTAGE SIGNED HATTIE CARNEGIE TURQUOISE BEAD GOLD PLATED CLAMPER BRACELET | |
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$24.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 46m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| RARE VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE TURQUOISE BEAD GOLD PLATED NECKLACE EARRINGS SET | |
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$25.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 51m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| Vintage Unique Hattie Carnegie Designer Signed Smiley Pet Monkey Brooch Pin CUTE | |
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$20.50 (11 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 13h 29m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE HATTIE CARNEGIE CRYSTAL GLASS BEAD NECKLACE EARRINGS ORIGINAL CARD | |
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$285.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 41m Buy It Now for only: $285.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| VTG HATTIE CARNEGIE BLACK GREEN GLASS FOIL BEAD CRYSTAL NECKLACE ORIGINAL TAG | |
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$235.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 42m Buy It Now for only: $235.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
| CHUNKY VINTAGE RARE UNSIGNED HATTIE CARNEGIE TIGER CAT PIN OPEN MOUTH TEATH | |
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$74.50 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 14m Bid now | Add to watch list |
| VINTAGE ESTATE HATTIE CARNEGIE WHITE PEARL BALL DANGLE CLIP ON EARRINGS | |
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$85.00 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 51m Buy It Now for only: $85.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
