Cerrito Jewelry

I have come across only three pieces of jewelry made by a company called CERRITO. 

One was this lovely rose brooch:

Another was this Orchid brooch:

And a third was a gorgeous Dogwood blossom brooch that I gave directly to my mother and didn't take a picture of. (Pity)

According to the Illusion Jewels website, the ©Cerrito signature is for Cerrito Jewelry Limited, Inc out of Johnston, Rhode Island, and they started production in the late 1970s. The above mentioned orchid brooch is also stamped with a year (1982). 

There really is not a whole lot of information out there about Cerrito jewelry. What I have found is that Cerrito still makes jewelry and still exists. (Some business websites list their trademark as "active" while others list it as "inactive.") Although I have not seen any Cerrito jewelry advertised for sale here in the U.S, there was an old New York Times article from April 16, 1989 that discusses a trade organzation founded by "John Cerrito, president of Cerrito Jewelry Ltd." whose purpose was to cultivate foreign business.

Regardless of their current status, the jewelry that I have come across has been well made, and very realistic. The dogwood blossom brooch was so lifelike, I expected it to blow away in the breeze! (You'll have to trust me on this, as again, I didn't get pictures of it.)  The orchid brooch above also looks exactly like a Cymbidium Orchid! 



Photo from Fiftyflowers.com

I just wish that I had more information about the company, their history, and their inspiration!


Websites used as resources for this post:

IllusionJewels

New York Times

Swoboda Jewelry

Swoboda Tree Brooch

One of the lines of jewelry that I have thoroughly fallen in love with lately is jewelry that is marked "Swoboda" or "SWO." I absolutely adore the artistry in each piece.  There is true personality and warmth in each design. The natural feel of the pearls and the tumbled stones actually gives each piece more personality.  The hand carved leaves also add a more "human touch" to the pieces. These weren't pieces of jewelry that came out of a machine. 

Swoboda jewelry is actually termed "cross-over" jewelry because Swoboda used genuine gem stones in their designs such as: turquoise, garnet, peridot, lapis, amethyst, jade, and pearls.  I have seen some pieces that were accented with rhinestones, but those were very rare. The majority of the pieces I've seen have included jade stones, pearls, and some other gem stone.  For example, the brooch to the left features carved jade leaves, pearls, and a chunk of amethyst as the base.

"Coral" Brooch and Earring Set

Swoboda, Inc. was founded in Los Angeles, CA in 1956 by a gentleman named Edward Swoboda.  He created a "new" look in costume jewelry by using tumbled stones in his designs instead of cut and faceted gemstones or rhinestones.  His jewelry quickly became a favorite of many people, including Nancy Reagan.  In fact, Ronald Reagan commissioned Swoboda to create gemstone trees to be given away at a Governor's Conference in 1966. (I have not yet gotten a famous Swoboda Tree into my own possession yet. I keep hoping to find one at an estate sale or flea market!)

Most pieces of Swoboda were marked in two ways. ©SWOBODA, INC or ©SWO.  However, pieces made before 1966 were unsigned.  Swoboda was sneaky at where signatures were put. I've found pieces where the seller stated that the pieces were unsigned Swobodas, but I've been able to find the signature on the side of the piece in a curve of a branch or some other obscured place.

The founder, Edward Swoboda retired from the company in 1979, but a partner, Nate Waxman continued the company until 1985.  He recently re-opened a jewelry company issuing new designs and re-issuing vintage Swoboda designs.  He is very careful to indicate that these pieces are re-issues.  I have not seen a re-issued piece personally, so I do not know if the construction on the back is any different or if there is some other additional marking on the reverse of the jewelry to differentiate it from true vintage pieces.  This is something to keep aware of.

As far as I am aware, all of the Swoboda pieces that I have in my shop are true vintage, having been purchased from Estate Sales in the Chicagoland Area.  Unfortunately, I have only ever come across brooches and earrings. I can't wait until I can get my sweaty little mitts on one of their stunning necklaces or bracelets!

Additional Swoboda pieces currently for sale in my shop: (Click picture to be taken to listing)

Additional Swoboda pieces that have been SOLD already. I am including pictures and links to the Transaction for informational purposes.

Websites and References used in writing this blog post:

Book:
Carroll, Julia C. (2010). Collecting Costume Jewelry 303: The Flip Side Exploring Costume Jewelry from the Back. Paducha, KY. Collector Books (Buy it here!)

Websites:
Morning Glory Jewelry & Antiques
Aged and Opulent Jewelry
RockTumbler.com
Jewelcollect.org

Maker's Mark: G.L.P.

I'm planning to use this blog to share information that I find while researching marks and signatures on the back of vintage pieces.

One of the pieces that I picked up recently is an Amethyst brooch with the initials G.L.P on the back of the clasp.

It took a while for me to find any information, because this company was not very big, nor was it in business for very long, but here's what I found:

"The George L. Paine Company was founded in Attleboro, Massachusetts shortly after the turn of the twentieth century. They produced solid gold and gold filled pieces according to the book American Jewelry Manufactures by Dorothy Rainwater on page 184." (Item listing on Amazing Adornments)

"The George L. Paine Company of Attleboro, MA was in business from 1909-1922." (Item listing on Worthpoint)

And finally:

"G.L.P., or G.L.P.CO, is the hallmark for George L Paine & Company. Founded in 1909 in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and last known in business in 1922. Their products were mostly solid gold, 10k gold front and gold-filled jewellery. Marks used on jewellery - G.L.P., G.L.P.CO, GLP, GLP CO." (Vintage Cove)

The first quote has given me a resource to check out from the library. It's on my request list from inter-library loan.  Once I get it, I'll try and put more information up on this company. 

Until then, you can check out the brooch at my Etsy store.  G.L.P Art Nouveau or Edwardian Amethyst Brooch