Trifari Christmas Tree Brooch Value Guide

The Trifari Christmas Tree Brooch is a cornerstone of mid-century holiday jewelry, celebrated for the high-quality craftsmanship introduced by designer Alfred Philippe. These pieces are highly collectible due to their elegant gold-tone settings and the vibrant arrangement of multi-colored glass cabochons and rhinestones.

What affects the value of Trifari Christmas Tree Brooch?

• Condition of the gold-tone finish, as any significant plating loss or 'green' oxidation reduces the value.
• Completeness of the rhinestones, with missing or 'dead' (darkened) crystals lowering the price point below $100.
• The specific era of the hallmark, with earlier Alfred Philippe-era designs often commanding the higher end of the $150 range.
• Originality of the glass cabochons, ensuring no modern plastic replacements have been substituted.

How to Identify Trifari Christmas Tree Brooch?

• Look for the 'Trifari' hallmark on the reverse, specifically checking for the 'Crown Trifari' logo with a crown over the 'T'.
• Examine the metalwork for the heavy, high-quality gold-tone plating characteristic of 1950s-1970s American costume jewelry.
• Verify that the star topper and multi-colored crystal ornaments are securely prong-set rather than simply glued.
• Check for the presence of a sturdy safety pin clasp which was standard for authentic Trifari holiday pins.

History of Trifari Christmas Tree Brooch

Trifari is a renowned American costume jewelry company, established in 1918. Known for its high-quality craftsmanship and innovative designs, Trifari became particularly famous for its 'Crown Trifari' pieces, identifiable by a small crown over the 'T' in the logo, indicating designs by Alfred Philippe who joined in 1930. Christmas tree brooches became popular collectible items, with Trifari producing many beloved variations over the decades, often featuring sparkling rhinestones and elegant gold or silver plating.