BJ 'Beatrix Jewelry' Openwork Rhinestone Stylised Leaf Brooch

BJ 'Beatrix Jewelry' Openwork Rhinestone Stylised Leaf Brooch featuring an overlapping open work stylised leaf brooch with clear pave set rhinestones along the edges of the design and with a smooth gold tone petiole and midrib. It measures 2.5cm high and 7cm at its widest point and it weighs 17.9g. It has a rollover clasp and it is signed 'BJ' in a round cartouche on the reverse.

Nat Sugarman founded 'The Beatrix Jewelry Company' in 1946 after the second World War. He named it after his sister, Beatrice. At first, the company didn't mark their jewellery, and they weren't particularly successful. However, this all changed in 1965, when the company manager Leonard Mandell decided to keep the name of the company, but change the entire concept. First of all, he began producing seasonal brooches dedicated to traditional and favourite American holidays, including, of course, Christmas, Halloween and Easter.

The mark 'BJ' or 'Beatrix' wasn't consistent until 1975, but from 1975 to 1977, marking on the reverse was constant and mandatory. Traditionally, the designers of the company used gold tone metal, enamel, rhinestones and crystals. Active for three decades (1946-1977), the company was sold to Treasure Master who only operated until 1983.