5 Great Vintage Jewelry Brands to Look For When You’re Just Starting to Collect
Beginner’s Guide for Vintage Jewelry Lovers
Are you just starting your journey into the sparkling world of vintage jewelry? Whether you’ve stumbled across a few pieces at a flea market or inherited a jewelry box from a relative, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. One of the best places to start is by learning about some of the most collectible — and accessible — vintage jewelry brands. These makers are beloved by collectors, often easy to find, and known for quality and style.
Here are five vintage costume jewelry companies that are perfect for beginners to start exploring:
1. Trifari 
Why We Love It:
Trifari is one of the most iconic names in vintage costume jewelry. Known for elegant designs and high-quality craftsmanship, Trifari pieces are timeless and highly collectible — but still relatively affordable for beginners.
What to Look For:
- Signed pieces (look for “Trifari” with or without the crown above the “T”)
- Classic motifs like leaves, flowers, and faux pearls
- Pieces designed by Alfred Philippe are especially desirable
Tip: Trifari jewelry from the 1940s–1960s is considered the golden era.
2. Monet 
Why We Love It:
Monet jewelry is chic, classic, and often gold-plated — giving you high-end looks without the high-end price. Their bold yet wearable designs make them great for everyday styling.
What to Look For:
- Heavy, high-quality finishes (especially gold-tone pieces)
- Statement necklaces, clip-on earrings, and bangles
- Clean “MONET” signature on the back
Tip: Monet jewelry holds up beautifully over time, making it perfect for vintage wearers, not just display.
3. Coro 
Why We Love It:
Coro was one of the largest and most prolific costume jewelry makers in the U.S., which means their pieces are easy to find and come in a wide range of styles — from sweet florals to patriotic pins.
What to Look For:
- Coro, Corocraft, or Vendome signatures
- Duette brooches (a Coro invention – two clips that form one brooch!)
- Colorful rhinestone pieces from the 1930s–50s
Tip: Start by collecting brooches — they’re small, affordable, and full of vintage charm.
4. Sarah Coventry 
Why We Love It:
Known as “Sarah Cov” to collectors, this company offered affordable, stylish jewelry sold at home parties — similar to Tupperware. Many pieces are named, making them fun to collect and research.
What to Look For:
- Lightweight but stylish pieces from the '60s and '70s
- Mod and floral designs
- Clearly marked “Sarah Coventry” or “Sarah Cov”
Tip: Sarah Coventry sets (matching earrings, brooches, and necklaces) are fun to hunt for and easy to wear.
5. Weiss 
Why We Love It:
If you love sparkle, Weiss is your brand! Known for dazzling rhinestones and glamorous designs, Weiss jewelry screams vintage glam.
What to Look For:
- Bright rhinestones (especially aurora borealis!)
- Snowflake-like brooches and clustered earrings
- Pieces signed “WEISS” on the back
Tip: Weiss is perfect for holiday looks or anyone wanting to add a touch of drama to their wardrobe.
Final Thoughts for New Collectors
Start small, trust your instincts, and most importantly — collect what you love. These brands are a great starting point because they combine beauty, affordability, and history. As you gain experience, you’ll start to recognize styles, signatures, and materials, and before you know it, you’ll have your own curated vintage treasure trove.
Happy hunting!
Jen and Ida
The following three vintage jewelry books are my three favorites for researching and learning about vintage jewelry brands and I recommend them highly. The jewelry prices are outdated but the information and history are priceless. The links below each book are Amazon affiliate links and if you purchase from these links, I will receive a small commission. I would purchase each book in the order they were written but if you have to purchase them out of order, they are still a wealth of information.
https://amzn.to/4eCvYxl
https://amzn.to/44F6XNq
https://amzn.to/3TZAdcE