Weiss Jewelry was a costume jewelry company that was known for the dazzling sparkle of the stones that they used in their jewelry designs. Their pieces are highly sought after today by collectors and by those who appreciate fine costume jewelry. Due to the short span of this jewelry company (less than 30 years), Weiss Jewelry is not as prevalent as other costume jewelry collectors and can be harder to find, especially the rare pieces.
Disclaimer: If you click on the picture and the item is still available for sale, it will link to the listing in our Etsy shop.
Albert Weiss founded Weiss Jewelry in 1942 in New York. His experience as a designer at Coro prepared him for designing and running his own jewelry company. He built the business by providing high quality costume jewelry that was an alternative to fine jewelry and much more affordable. He used fine Austrian glass faceted rhinestones with each one being hand set on a durable rhodium setting.
He produced classic designs as well as more whimsical designs such as bugs, flowers, and even 3 leaf clovers.
Weiss was in business until 1971 when, due to the changing times as well as the retirement, and subsequent death, of Albert Weiss, the company was closed. It signaled the end of an era when hats, dresses, gloves and rhinestones were in vogue than the more modern “Mod” pants and mini skirts of the 1960s and 1970s.
Luckily, we still have many of the beautiful designs of that era and collectors are keeping them alive through their collections.
The following is some information on how to identify Weiss jewelry using their hallmarks and examples of pieces so you can know that jewerly you are purchasing is authentic. The more you see Weiss jewelry, the more likely you are to recognize authentic pieces.
Weiss Hallmarks
WEISS stamped on metal
Weiss in script
WEISS with a copyright symbol
WEISS inside an oval cartouche
WEISS NY
WEISSCO NY
Weiss, along with other jewelry makers, made brooches and fur clips, earrings, necklaces, and sweater clips. Trends drove their business. Here are some examples.
BROOCHES, PINS AND FUR CLIPS
These are some examples of the colorful rhinestone brooches Weiss produced.
These are some examples of the clear, sparkling, faceted rhinestone brooches Weiss produced.
EARRINGS
Here are some examples of Weiss clear and colorful rhinestone earrings.
NECKLACES
These are example of Weiss rhinestone necklaces.
SWEATER CLIPS:
WEISS PRINT ADS with their respective pieces:
Buying Weiss jewelry and being a Weiss collector is a great long term investment that you get to enjoy every day as you wear this amazing sparkling jewelry.
Owning a few pieces (or more) of Weiss jewerly will definitely make your life more lovely!
