Vintage Monet Mirador Gold Tone Wheat Flower Spray Swirl Brooch/Pin

The Monet jewelry brand is very popular in terms of vintage costume jewelry. Mostly, the brand specializes in creating high-end accessories by affordable means, making it a top choice among fashionistas.

The company was founded by two brothers with the same idea – namely, Jay and Michael Chernow. The brand was initially called “Monocraft Products,” as they made silver and gold-plated plates to add to women’s handbags. These bags were very popular, and quite known for their durability.

With that in mind, nearing the end of the 1930s, Monocraft’s focus began to shift. From that point, they started making mostly jewelry. This was a direct result of the 1920s economic crisis when women could no longer afford expensive jewelry. As a result, more and more women started buying costume jewelry pieces instead.

Several years later, starting in 1937, Monocraft became Monet, and they began to make costume jewelry exclusively. With time, the brand changed quite a lot – reflecting the styles of the era.

For example, in the beginning, they focused mostly on rhinestones and monograms. After that, they moved on to bigger necklaces that would hang low on the chest. In the 1960s, pendants were the most popular options.

Mostly, it depended on what the people wanted – what styles were most popular during those times. With that in mind, the brand decided to add more clean lines and embellish their pieces of jewelry with crystal accents of a higher quality.

Under the lead of Edmond Granville, and later on Liz Claiborne, it eventually became a world-class fashion brand.

Like many other fashion brands, Monet also went through a few changes of their own, to keep up with the times. Here is how the brand changed over the decades:

In the 1930s, Monet was heavily inspired by fashion designers from the European region. As a result, a lot of their costume jewelry included rhinestones that were made to look like gemstones.

They would have floral and animal motifs, but also more abstract patterns. After all, at that time, they were also going through the Art Deco era – which meant that they had to look the part.

In the 1940s, because of the war, a lot of restrictions were being imposed, particularly on shipments. Metals such as brass or platinum were rather difficult to come by, which is why Monet turned their attention towards another metal: sterling silver.

Throughout the decade, Monet adopted several motifs, but the one that stood out the most was the military one. Fur clips and brooches were the most common options around that time, but their charm bracelets also made quite a hit.

Monet was the first costume jeweler to produce spring-ring charms in the late 1940s. This way people were able to mix and match charms. These bracelets became popular again in the 1960s.

Around this time, in the 1950s, Monet jewelry options were larger, with an elaborate and heavy look. Many jewels around that time were actually that way. People wanted statement jewelry in the form of necklaces, and Monet gave it to them. Gold plated jewelry (rose and yellow) were the most popular options, featuring a link design with a centerpiece.

The 1960s
By the 1960s, the charm bracelets that Monet made in the 1940s gained even more popularity right around this time. The main motifs were flora and fauna, with everyday objects that people wanted to have hanging as necklaces or bracelets

With more and more women getting employed, Monet also began creating formal and stylish pieces. This type of jewelry was more appropriate for the workplace.

In 1970, Monet added pierced earrings to their line, but also clip-on earrings. The Ciani collection was introduced to the public right about here, focusing mostly on fine jewelry. The main materials for these pieces of jewelry were silver, gold, but also semi-precious gemstones.

Everyone knows that the 1980s jewelry was loud and colorful, with people wanting to stand out in style – and Monet took note of this. This is why most of the 1980’s Monet jewelry pieces focused on metalwork design, making every piece seem daring and unique.

Once more, in the 1990s, Monet did not fail to adapt to the times. So, aside from their own pieces, Monet also made collaborations with Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Christian Lacroix. With this, their work became more and more sought after.

From 2000, Monet started focusing more and more on luxurious jewelry. Precious or semiprecious colored stones were a common occurrence, and most of their lines revolved around pieces such as emerald, coral, green opal, and other similar colored crystals.

Monet jewelry was made to look high-end and expensive – but without actually bearing the high price. After the war, even with the Great Depression breathing down people’s necks, people still wanted to look their best – to wear the right kinds of accessories that would make them stand out.

In response to their desires, Monet often featured faux gemstones such as glass – and rather than going for full gold or silver pieces, they went for the plated type. For all intents and purposes, the resulting piece of jewelry looked like the real deal.

In the end, people were able to wear their “expensive” jewelry, but without having to dig too much in their budget for it. However, the final pieces looked very stylish, which is why Monet gained quite a loyal fan base after that.

Today, Monet pieces are deeply appreciated as vintage jewelry. To this day, they are still collected and worn on a variety of occasions. You may find embellished designs that can go fabulously on a special event, or you may go for a more minimalist piece that you can wear on a daily basis.




In general, all items may or may not have been damaged by water, smoke, mold, insects, mishandling, animal chewing, cracks, nicks, dings, dents, rips, marks, stains, divots, waviness, creases, scratches, rust, etc.

***Please look at the attached photos for size and condition. Photos are part of the description representing the condition report and can be used for authentication prior to the sale date. We urge bidder's to view all attached photos in detail. All items are sold "AS IS". Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.

Notes: Please inspect all photos carefully before bidding. Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.

Consistent with age and use.

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Mike Marsullo | (860) 997-3332 | fil14fy@gmail.com

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