Amethyst, Diamanté & Rose Vermeil Sterling Duette
1940s Jewelry, Coro Jewelry, Double Clip BroochesThis brooch/dress clips looks like folded fabric crowned with jewels. It is made of rose-gold-plated sterling silver edged with diamanté accents. At the center of each side is a row of amethyst-glass navettes topped with a row of diamanté. This Duette, which was created for Coro’s high-end line, can be worn as a brooch or as separate dress clips. Their double-prong fasteners work well with heavier fabrics, such as wool blazers and dresses. My camera picked up two stones that appear to be a different shade of purple, but this difference cannot be seen by the naked eye. You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, shown below Coro's name.USD$295.00USD$295.00Diamanté & Sterling ‘Platina’ 1940s Duette by Coro
Double Clip Brooches, 1940s Jewelry, Coro JewelryThis Coro sterling brooch is a pair of flowers with diamanté centers and oval petals, crowned with baguettes, and set in pavé-embellished sterling silver. It was designed as part of the Platina line by Adolph Katz for the company’s high-end pieces. You can wear this one as a brooch or as separate dress clips. The double-prong fastener works well with weightier fabrics, such as wool blazers and dresses. This piece was advertised along with the complete Platina line in a fashion magazine with the copy: “Glittering glamour set in sterling silver with that ‘platinum look'”. You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, shown below Coro’s name.USD$195.00USD$195.00Diamanté & Sterling Ciro Brooch or Pair of Clips
1940s Jewelry, Ciro Jewelry, Double Clip BroochesThis fine vintage Ciro brooch is a dainty and exceptionally well-made piece, probably from the early-1940s. The design of furled sterling silver ribbons set with diamanté reflects the romanticism of that decade. Although this jewel bears Ciro's mark, the piece was made by an unknown French or German company. Like the jewelry of many high-end retailers, Ciro’s was designed, produced and stamped with their logo by various manufacturers whose work was commissioned. The trombone clasp is a clue to the country of origin. Wear this lovely piece as a brooch or as separate dress clips. This double clip brooch is the only one I’ve seen with a brooch mechanism that frames the entire piece. Ciro jewels are hard to date and were not inexpensive.USD$325.00USD$325.00Diamanté Brooch or Pair of Dress Clips with Scrolls
1940s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Unsigned JewelryThis diamanté brooch, which can also be worn as separate dress clips, may be European in origin. The curvy design makes me think the piece is from the 1940s, which was the height of the popularity of the double-clip brooch. Although it is marked “SILVER”, I don’t think this brooch is sterling. Nevertheless, the workmanship is excellent, and the sparkle remains.USD$245.00USD$245.00Diamanté Double Clip Brooch by Mazer Bros.
1930s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Mazer Bros. JewelryThis double clip brooch by Mazer Brothers features sparkly round and baguette diamanté in a late-Art Deco design. What’s interesting about this piece is that the patent for the brooch mechanism that connects the dress clips was issued to Marcel Boucher in 1939, two years after he started his own company. He filed the patent application when he was working for Mazer Brothers, but the patent wasn’t assigned to them when it was issued. (You can see the utility patent here, below Boucher's name.) I was surprised to find the “MAZER” mark on this piece from the technical perspective but certainly not from an aesthetic point of view. Because this jewel was created with the Boucher mechanism, I think it was made while he still worked for the firm. Wear this lovely piece as a brooch or as separate dress clips. Scroll down to see several complementary bracelets.USD$395.00USD$395.00Diamanté Dress Clips or Brooch
1940s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Unsigned JewelryThese diamanté dress clips have a mechanism that allows them to be worn together as a brooch. Set in rhodium-plated metal, each clip looks like a vase of flowers to me. The stones are foil backed. The lines are graceful, and the combination of round and navette stones with baguettes is lovely. This piece is unsigned but well-made.USD$245.00USD$245.00Diamanté Floral Double Clip Brooch
1930s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Unsigned JewelryThis geometric diamanté-encrusted Art Deco piece can be worn as a brooch or as two separate dress clips. The photos show a third option: one clip worn as a pendant on a black rubber cord; you may prefer to use a white gold or silver chain. A 17-inch, 2mm black rubber cord with a stainless steel twist lock (which is shown in the photo) is included with this purchase. The setting is rhodium-plated base metal; the brooch has a roll-over safety clasp. What's curious about this piece is its origin: although it is marked "PRO. PAT. 864999", I cannot identify the country. Scroll down to see several complementary bracelets.USD$325.00USD$325.00Diamanté French Art Deco Dress Clips or Brooch
1930s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Unsigned JewelryThese Art Deco dress clips from France are paved in diamanté set in rhodium-plated metal with cut-outs that enhance the design. The clips can be worn together as a brooch. Because the design is symmetrical, I like to wear this type of clip as a pendant on a chain or cord. The last two photos show this option: one with a sterling chain from my jewelry box (not included); the other with a 17-inch, 2mm black rubber cord (included with this purchase). Scroll down to see a selection of bracelets to wear with this piece.USD$295.00USD$295.00Diamanté French Brooch or Pair of Clips
1930s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Unsigned JewelryThis diamanté French brooch was designed to be worn as a brooch (at different angles, as shown) and as separate dress clips. With its symmetrical Art Deco design, this jewel has a third option: one clip as a pendant on a chain. The one shown in the photo is sterling silver and is not included. The setting of this piece is rhodium-plated base metal. The brooch clasp is the trombone style, which is typically used in French pieces from this era. This piece is marked Deposé, which is the French word for patented. Scroll down to see a selection of coordinating bracelets.USD$195.00USD$195.00Diamanté Leaf 1940s Coro Duette
1940s Jewelry, Coro Jewelry, Double Clip BroochesThis Coro Duette is a vintage jewelry piece composed of a pair of leaves with emerald-cut and round diamanté set in rhodium-plated metal. Designed by Adolph Katz, this piece can be worn as a brooch or as separate dress clips. This substantial double-clip brooch was advertised in the December 1, 1947 issue of Vogue and the April 1948 issue of Mayfair. The ad in the last photo shows an example of how to wear the clips. Their double-prong fasteners work well with heavier fabrics, such as wool blazers and dresses. You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, beneath Coro's name.USD$195.00USD$195.00Diamanté Ribbon 1930s Clip-Mates by Trifari
1930s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Trifari JewelryTrifari costume jewelry of the late-1930s included Clip-Mates, their version of the double clip brooch. This example features loops of diamanté-encrusted ribbons. The setting is rhodium-plated. This piece can be worn as a brooch (at different angles, as shown) or as two separate dress clips. The photos show a third option: one clip worn as a pendant on a sterling silver chain (which is not included). A white-gold one would also work well. Wear this piece with faux or real diamond studs for an added touch of sparkle. Scroll down to see a selection of coordinating bracelets. You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, shown below Trifari's name.USD$295.00USD$295.00Diamanté Winged 1930s Coro Duette
1930s Jewelry, Coro Jewelry, Double Clip BroochesThis Coro Duette can be worn as separate dress clips or a brooch. Embellished with round diamanté and baguettes, this piece looks like a pair of wings. The rhodium-plated brooch mechanism closes with a roll-over safety clasp. This jewel was made in Canada, where Coro had manufacturing operations and sales rooms from 1934 until about 1970. I’m surprised that the maker’s name is absent, but I am confident that this double-clip brooch is by Coro. You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, shown below Coro’s name. Scroll down to see several coordinating bracelets.USD$295.00USD$295.00Emerald & Diamanté Double Clip Brooch by Hattie Carnegie
1950s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Hattie Carnegie JewelryThis sparkly brooch from Hattie Carnegie’s New York fashion house is both beautiful and practical. It has two hearts formed from three layers of diamanté topped with large, round, faceted emerald-glass stones. The setting is rhodium-plated, and the color combination is striking. The layers make this piece very three-dimensional. It can be worn as a brooch (at different angles, as shown) or as two separate dress clips. The photos show a third option: one clip worn as a pendant on a sterling silver chain (which is not included). A white-gold one would also work well. How’s that for a three-in-one jewel!USD$395.00USD$395.00Gemstone Fruit Salad 1930s Clip-Mates by Trifari
1930s Jewelry, Double Clip Brooches, Trifari JewelryThis Trifari fruit salad piece was designed by Alfred Philippe. It features the company's popular trio of acorn-shaped, molded glass to imitate carved gemstones (rubies, sapphires, and emeralds). This design is one example of Trifari's Clip-Mates, their answer to Coro's Duette. This piece can be worn as a brooch or as separate dress clips. The influence of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels on Philippe is evident in the fruit salad lines he designed for Trifari in the mid-1930s and early 1940s. The setting of this special early piece is rhodium-plated metal with diamanté accents. The pin closes with a roll-over safety clasp. You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, shown below Trifari's name. Scroll down to see a fruit salad bar brooch, also by this maker but with stones in a different shape.USD$795.00USD$795.00Gold & Diamanté ‘Merry Whirl’ Duette & ‘Gay Swirl’ Earrings
1940s Jewelry, Coro Jewelry, Costume Jewelry Sets / Parures, Double Clip Brooches, Vintage Brooches & PinsThis 'Merry Whirl' Duette was sold to me as a set with these earrings. Although all pieces are gold-tone with diamanté and made by the same company, my research uncovered a different story. The screw-back earrings are, in fact, from their 'Gay Swirl' design. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t hesitate to wear these pieces together. The Duette, Coro’s double clip brooch, can be worn as a brooch (in the positions shown) or as separate dress clips. These jewels were advertised in the April 1948 issue of Life magazine, which is how I found out the design names. You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, shown below Coro's name.USD$195.00USD$195.00Ruby, Diamanté & Rose Vermeil Sterling 1940s ‘Sparkling Peonies’ Duette & Earrings Set by Coro
1940s Jewelry, Coro Jewelry, Costume Jewelry Sets / Parures, Double Clip Brooches, Vintage Brooches & PinsThis Coro Duette brooch has two rose-gold-plated sterling silver flowers edged in diamanté with ruby-glass-stone centers. It can be worn as a brooch or as separate dress clips, and has matching earrings. Made for the company's high-end line, this stunning set showcases one of Adolph Katz’s brilliant Retro Modern designs, from both an aesthetic and engineering point of view. For Duettes that were asymmetrical like this one, the brooch frame had to be customized to work with the particular pair of clips. Truly gorgeous pieces in remarkable condition! You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, shown below Coro's name. This design was advertised by the company as Sparkling Peonies.USD$795.00USD$795.00Sapphire, Diamanté & Gold Spiral Seashell Coro Duette
1950s Jewelry, Coro Jewelry, Double Clip BroochesThis Coro Duette pin looks like a pair of spiral seashells. The gold-plating is adorned with sapphire-glass baguettes and pavé centers. This Duette, Coro’s name for their double clip brooch, is like a '2-for-1' jewel! Wear it as a brooch or as separate dress clips. The double-prong fastener works well with heavier fabrics, such as wool blazers and dresses. The all-diamanté version of this piece appeared in a 1950 Coro ad in Life with the slogan “the perfect jewel of a gift” and with the price of $10.50! (In 1950, the average U.S. family income was $81.48 a week.) You can see the utility patent for the brooch mechanism here, shown below Coro's name.USD$275.00USD$275.00