Vintage Monet jewellery

 Vintage Monet Jewelry information and Monocraft history

Just vintage Monet jewellery or Monocraft accessories information and photographs. Part of our research on the many jewellery companies across the world. This US company started out in the 1920s and although has changed ownership several times in its long history, it is still in production today.  It is famous for its high quality, fashionable and well made finishes. Ideal to collect and wear.

First established by two brothers - Michael and Joseph Chernow under the name Monocraft. They originally produced monogrammed car emblems. Now rare to find and of course very collectible. Monocraft originally capitalized on the monogram craze by having monogrammed keyrings, bag labels and ultimately jewellery. They then continued after the great depression in the 1930s, to not only produced jewellery but other accessories that could be monogrammed. Continuing its tradition of producing good quality and classical pieces that have stood the test of time. Monet is still a brand that is ideal to wear on many occasions.

All the Monet jewellery pieces that we have showcased here are sourced here in the UK by us. Then photograph each piece of jewellery ourselves. This makes our blog post unique as many blogs we have seen just take photographs from on the web. 

Monet stamped vintage jewellery box with logo

Signature Monet on the reverse of a brooch. Complete with their copyright  

A Monet brooch in bright polished gold-tone. Circa 1990s

Another Monet signature stamped in the back of an earring

Monet with copyright in block capitals on the back of a clipped earring.

Copyright sign with Monet in capitals on the back of a brooch

Monet vintage earrings complete in a Perspex jewellery box. Note the Monet logo on the front.

Costume Jewellery by Judith Miller - a book review

Okay I have gone to to write a review on this book Costume Jewellery by Judith Miller several times, but I am really having difficulty because its one of the worst books on vintage jewellery I have read ever and overall was very disappointing.

The content is available readily on the Internet about the individual designer and so there was nothing new or refreshing to read. Many vintage costume jewellers and historians have very comprehensive and correct factual information available that is free to view. There were also some glaring errors.  

AURORA BOREALIS rhinestones were first made in about 1955. So any jewellery with this is not 1930s/1940s but would be dated from the late 1950s onwards........

With the title "Costume Jewellery" I expected at least some relevant information on UK's vintage costume jewellery. and especially as its been written by someone from the UK. But no the book is also published with the "Costume Jewelry" title aimed at the US market. There is very little written about UK costume jewellery apart from the newer Butler and Wilson and Vivienne Westwood.  Most of the vintage jewellery shown is only obtainable from the US and most is now quite rare and expensive. You also need to be wary of fakes when buying this type of designer pieces.

This is a lily flower brooch in marcasite and enamel. This vintage brooch is available in a wide range of coloured enamel. They were made from the early part of the twentieth century until the 1970s. One size does not fit all. The earlier ones are of pot metal, not rhodium plated and the clasp is very different C shaped not the rollover clasp. So by just showing the front can be very misleading for dating.


Unbelievably the "Unsigned Gems" chapter contained signed vintage jewellery- not sure what that was all about?? It would have been extremely helpful to show the backs of the jewellery and clasps.

Vintage clip-on earrings by Ciro Pearls

The only thing I can say without being terribly rude - is that if you like to look at pretty pictures of jewellery only - then buy this book. But if you are a complete novice and want to actually learn about costume jewellery -  then there are many other good quality books and informative books available., Ones that are well researched and contain excellent information that is correct - the Warman's Series is an excellent place to start.  

 Purple vintage long necklaces