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Those who know their jewelry, certainly recognize the inherent value of Weiss Jewelry, a brand that has had its day but lives on now in collectible vintage jewelry. Weiss Jewelry symbolized the elegance and unmistaken beauty of fine jewelry. Let’s take a closer look at the company, its values, and why Weiss is still one of the highly regarded jewelers today.
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History of Weiss Jewelry
Unlike most other jewelers in the trade, Albert Weiss built his jewelry company on his own. He dropped out of college after trying to pursue an accounting degree and then focused his attention on getting a full-time job. He applied to work for Coro Jewelry, one of the most popular New York jewelry producers in the 1900s and got accepted. There, Weiss learned that he had a knack for designing jewelry, so he absorbed all the tricks of the trade and acquired a very good eye for detail. He also worked as the manager for another jeweler – the Grad and Schrager Jewelry House.
By 1942, Weiss decided he had had enough working for somebody else. He set up his own costume-jewelry shop in the very same year and in the same city. For his business, Weiss employed only those who specialized in handcrafted pieces. This meant his jewelry collection was exclusive because it took hard work, dedication, and skills to produce even just one brooch or bracelet.
Soon, Weiss Jewelry got the attention it deserved. A whole population of women started demanding for more Weiss pieces causing the founder to open up more manufacturing facilities in Germany, France, and even in Rhode Island in the United States.
Unfortunately, the success of Weiss Jewelry was short lived. Soon after Weiss handed over the business to his son Michael in 1969, the business faced financial difficulties and was forced to close up shop 2 years later.
Today, Weiss jewelry is an excellent addition to vintage collections, deemed rare and precious due to the small range that exists, causing its price to spike to unprecedented levels in recent years.
What Defines Weiss Jewelry
1960s Weiss strawberry brooch and earrings set by Jewels by Heather Shop. See it here.
Weiss Jewelry was considered a game changer in the jewelry business as the company tended to use new materials.
Weiss Jewelry Through the Years
The genius of jewelers is often measured by their ability to innovate their collections through time, and Weiss is no exception. Here’s how the company’s creations evolved over the decades.
Weiss Jewelry Today
To this day, Weiss jewelry pieces are still highly valued for their vintage charm. Most early designs may be too bold and are best reserved for special occasions, but later iterations of the Weiss brand may be worn on the daily. Here are some Weiss pieces that are still available on the market today:
Vintage signed Weiss rhinestone pendant by A Dash of Happy. See it here.
This rare 1960s find features crystal rhinestone accents that solidified the mid-century Weiss legacy. The chain features sapphire blue and olive-green stones in a 2-inch intricate pendant that is class and high fashion.
Weiss ruby and emerald Christmas tree brooch by Timeless Jewels 4 U. See it here
One of the more iconic Weiss collections is its Christmas tree brooch line, from which this 1960s piece comes. The antique gold finish that houses emerald and ruby rhinestones reflects the grandiose styles of a bygone era.
1960s large sunflower Weiss amber glass brooch by the Magpies Jewels. See it here
Weiss jewelry features a lot of flora, and this elegant, signed sunflower brooch is a true gem that speaks of the craftsmanship that goes into every Weiss piece, especially the older ones– which were notoriously undervalued at the time.
See more vintage Weiss pieces in this collection.
Buying Guide for Weiss Jewelry
Hallmark on vintage of Weiss jewelry.
It can get tricky trying to spot legitimate Weiss jewelry from imitations, because the marks encrypted on Weiss pieces also evolved throughout the years. To ensure the legitimacy of each piece, make sure you check for the hallmark featured on the piece. Some of these correspond to the year it was crafted in.
Where to Purchase Weiss Jewelry
Weiss jewelry is a staple in most estate and vintage stores. Depending on the condition of each piece and how much they were valued at the time of release, prices may vary.
Generally, a legitimate Weiss brooch will set you back around $40, while highly coveted earrings from the black diamond collection may cost much more.
We suggest checking out Etsy’s collection for a clearer idea of which Weiss pieces are still in circulation, and how much you can buy each one for. Don’t forget to always do your due diligence to ensure that you’re buying a genuine piece.