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Expert in vintage costume jewelry from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s & 1950s

Sterling Silver Choker by Walter Lampl

$375.00

MAKER: Walter Lampl

SIZE: 14 1/2" x 3/8"

CONDITION: Excellent

DATE: c.1946-1947 (based on magazine ad)

MARKS: "WL" (in script) within shield and "STERLING" on clasp tongue

REFERENCE: May 1947 ad in "The Jewelers' Circular-Keystone"

This sterling silver choker by Walter Lampl was the height of style in the mid- to late-1940s. The simplicity of this piece makes it wearable with almost anything. This well-constructed necklace closes with a concealed clasp. This choker was made for a slim neck, even though the construction allows for a bit of stretch. Please note the length (14 1/2″), and measure your neck before making this purchase. This jewel was advertised in the May 1947 issue of The Jewelers’ Circular – Keystone (a trade publication). I wrote a blog post about two stars who wore this style of necklace in 1940s films, as part of my Jewelry in the Movies series. Cate Blanchett wore a gold version in the 2015 film Carol. You can see this Lampl sterling jewel on my favorite model in this blog post.

FREE SHIPPING to the United States and Canada

Sterling Silver Choker by Walter Lampl

$375.00 USD
Why Buy Vintage Costume Jewelry?

One reason is that it’s environmentally friendly. Resale fashion and vintage jewelry has become a preferred sustainable and affordable shopping choice by today’s discerning fashion and eco-conscious consumer.

Another major reason is the quality. Although vintage costume jewelry was made for all levels of the marketplace – from dime stores to high-end fashion boutiques and jewelry stores – you will find only the best pieces here. They were well-designed and carefully made to last. The manufacturers represented here used only the finest materials – glass stones and beads from Bohemia, Austria, and France, and faux pearls from France and Japan. Settings were primarily sterling silver, gold-filled, or base metals heavily plated with gold, silver, or rhodium. Stones were hand-set, and pieces were hand-finished.

The northeastern part of the U.S. was the center of the industry, with the largest companies located in Providence, Rhode Island by the end of World War II. During the Depression, the quality of costume pieces climbed to new levels when many jewelers and craftsmen had to switch to this segment of the industry. In addition, it attracted many skilled workers who fled the political situation in Europe for the U.S. For these reasons, designs and manufacturing techniques rivaled those employed in the making of fine jewelry.

A third reason to buy costume jewelry is its uniqueness. Having survived for so many decades in such wonderful condition and having been selected for their aesthetic quality, the pieces you’ll find here are unlikely to be found elsewhere.

True vs Fake - how to shop vintage costume jewelry with confidence

Barbara Schwartz, a noted costume jewelry historian, is the author of "True vs Fake" , an in-depth blog series providing examples of how vintage costume jewelry can be accurately attributed. She also shares tips on how to avoid being duped into buying misidentified vintage costume jewelry.

Use coupon code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order.

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