Coro Duette Brooch Value Guide

The Coro Duette is a landmark of 1930s American costume jewelry, featuring a patented 1931 design that transforms a single brooch into two individual dress clips. Crafted by Emanuel Cohn and Carl Rosenberger's firm, these pieces represent the height of Art Deco engineering and versatile high-fashion glamour.

What Is Coro Duette Brooch Worth?

The typical price range for Coro Duette Brooch is $150 - $200 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the mechanical frame; the value is significantly higher if the clips attach securely and the springs remain tight.
• Completeness of the rhinestones, as missing or 'dead' (yellowed) stones can decrease the market value below the $150 range.
• The presence of original silver plating, as excessive wear to the base metal reduces the aesthetic appeal for collectors.
• Design complexity, with more elaborate Art Deco motifs typically commanding the top end of the $200 price spectrum.

How to Identify Coro Duette Brooch?

• Check the back for the 'Coro Duette' mark and the 1931 patent numbers (1798867 or 1852188) on the metal frame.
• Verify the presence of the original spring-loaded mechanism that allows the two clips to slide onto the central pin bar.
• Examine the silver-plated base metal for the intricate, symmetrical Art Deco geometric patterns typical of the 1930s era.
• Look for hand-set brilliant rhinestones that are clear and consistent with the high-quality craftsmanship of early Coro production.

History of Coro Duette Brooch

The Coro Duette was an innovative and highly popular piece of costume jewelry introduced by Coro in the 1930s. Patented in 1931, this ingenious design allowed a single large brooch to separate into two smaller dress clips, offering versatility and multiple styling options. Coro, established in 1901 by Emanuel Cohn and Carl Rosenberger, became one of the largest and most prominent American costume jewelry manufacturers, known for its high-quality craftsmanship and diverse designs. The Duette collection, with its clever engineering and often elaborate Art Deco and Retro-era aesthetics, remains highly collectible today.