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Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

A scrappy, self-made artist who transformed turbo shells into decadent earrings and crystal chessmen into bold bracelets, Seaman Schepps (1881–1972) tirelessly worked his way up from the tenements of New York’s Lower East Side to become “America’s Court Jeweler.”

Born to immigrant parents who named him for the Seamen’s Bank for Savings that his mother could see from the hospital — or so the legend goes — Schepps dropped out of school at the age of 14 and never had any formal jewelry training. He later moved to California, where he opened his first jewelry shop in 1904. In 1921, he returned to New York to build on the success he’d begun to enjoy as a jeweler on the West Coast, but it wasn’t long before his Manhattan house, which counted Broadway stars and theater patrons among its clientele, was hit hard by the stock market crash of 1929. Schepps used this disruption to rethink his approach to jewelry, debuting a new store in 1934 on Madison Avenue, where he would make his mark in playful custom adornments.

While many high-end jewelers of his era focused on the purest and most valuable gemstones, Schepps chose his materials for their color and shape, elevating flawed stones others disregarded in collage-like formations involving unconventional materials such as fine wood, coral, seashells and flea-market finds. Passersby of his New York City shop could find a frog-shaped brooch carved from rosewood, a vintage snuff bottle broken into links for a bracelet and loose-drilled pearls plugged with diamonds. Schepps’s whimsical pieces found fans in fashion icons who appreciated his unique statements, including Doris Duke, Andy Warhol and the Duchess of Windsor.

Following Schepps’s death in 1972, his daughter, jewelry designer Patricia S. Vaill, ran the jewelry house for two decades before it was taken over by Jay Bauer and Anthony Hopenhajm of Trianon jewelry. Following the closure of the company’s Park Avenue store in November 2020, sales for Seaman Schepps is now based in its boutique location out of Palm Beach, Florida, where the legendary brand carries forth its founder’s spirited designs.

On 1stDibs, find a distinctive collection of vintage Seaman Schepps jewelry, including brooches, bracelets and other accessories.

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Creator: Seaman Schepps
Seaman Schepps' Famous Frog Brooch in 8K Carved Carnelian and Sapphires
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Aspen, CO
This is the largest size they made, 63.5 mm (2.5 inches), the width of .75 inches, and .75 inches deep. Well carved in the shape of a frog, (in Asia the frog symbolises good luck...
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Carnelian, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Seaman Schepps Vintage Gold Wood Curb Link Bracelet Duo/ Necklace
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A gorgeous wood and 18k gold Seaman Schepps set comprises of a curb link necklace that separates into two bracelets. Stamped with Seaman Schepps maker's marks and a hallmark for 18k...
Category

Early 2000s Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Seaman Schepps Multi-Color Cabochon Gemstone Earrings and Necklace Set
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Seaman Schepps, son of immigrants, grew up in New York's Lower East Side and was renowned for his chunky retro and 1950's jewelry. Rare original stones have been an inspiration throu...
Category

20th Century American Modern Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Related Items
Seaman Schepps: A Century of New York Jewelry Design (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This is a beautifully photographed book which shows the stylish designs of Seaman Schepps who designed jewelry in the mid 20th century which appealed to a large and varied range of c...
Category

20th Century Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Seaman Schepps: A Century of New York Jewelry Design (Book)
Seaman Schepps: A Century of New York Jewelry Design (Book)
Free Shipping
H 11.25 in W 11.25 in D 1 in
Ciribelli Snake Necklace
Located in Geneva, CH
Snake Necklace. Paste. By Ciribelli MONTE-CARLO. Total Length: 104.00 centimeters. Width: 1.20 centimeters. Head: 3.50 centimeters x 2.00 centimeters. ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Turquoise, Jasper, Black Agate, Pearls, 9 Karat Rose Gold and Silver Necklace
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE ...
Category

1960s Italian Retro Vintage Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Agate, Pearl, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Seaman Schepps Pair of Gold and Turquoise Shell Brooches
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Seaman Schepps Pair of Gold and Turquoise Composite Shell Brooches This pair of brooches has a shell motif of turquoise composite shells with 14k...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Turquoise, Gold

Vintage 18kt Rose Gold Bismark Link European Bracelet
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage 18kt rose gold Bismark link European bracelet. Circa 1970's Dimensions: Length x Width: 20 x 1 cm Weight: 48 grams Condition: Bracelet is pre - owned, minor wear, exc...
Category

1970s European Vintage Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Rose Gold

Vintage Renaissance Inspired Jewelled Necklace & Bracelet Demi-Parure 1980s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A really striking Renaissance style set from the 1980s. Featuring vibrant and glamorous resin jewel colored cabochons in gilt metal with faux seed pearls. In very good vintage condit...
Category

20th Century Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Gilt Metal

Rare Himalayan Mountain Emerald and Diamond convertible Tiara/Necklace
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Rare Himalayan Mountain Emerald and Diamond convertible Tiara/Necklace A very beautiful and unique tiara that also converts into a necklace. It fe...
Category

2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Emerald Ruby Pearl Diamond Gold Necklace Earring and Bracelet Suite
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Stunning suite custom made for a gala. The necklace is a collar so at the top the length is 13" and at the bottom edge 15". The large cabochon emerald (1" approximate diameter) i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold

Seaman Schepps Platinum Diamond And Pearl Double Clip Brooch
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
Embrace the timeless allure of the Seaman Schepps Platinum Diamond and Pearl Double Clip Brooch, a masterpiece that marries the elegance of pearls with the brilliance of diamonds in ...
Category

20th Century American Modern Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Pearl, Diamond, Platinum

Pearls, Agate, Garnets, 9 Karat Rose Gold and Silver Long Necklace
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). PS: THIS POLICY IS NOT APPLICABLE ...
Category

1960s Italian Retro Vintage Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Agate, Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Cartier Vintage Zodiac Sapphire Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Cartier Vintage Zodiac Sapphire Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace A fabulous vintage Cartier zodiac pendant, the pendant showcases all 12 zo...
Category

1990s French Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Sapphire, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Cameo Wood Cuff Bracelet
By AVGVSTA
Located in Milano, IT
Cuff bracelet hand carved, made in wood topped with a cameo on the center, finished with an 18 karat yellow gold band. Weight: 60 gr circa All AVGVSTA jewelry is new an...
Category

2010s Italian Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Previously Available Items
Seaman Schepps Fluted Rock Crystal and 18k Yellow Gold Fan Brooch
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Seaman Schepps fluted rock crystal and 18k yellow gold fan brooch, circa 1990s. Approximately 52mm x 50mm 59.4 grams Numbered and signed Seaman Schepps.
Category

1990s Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Seaman Schepps Lapis Lazuli Gold Vintage 6 Piece Jewelry Set
By Seaman Schepps
Located in New York, NY
This rare and spectacular Seaman Schepps vintage jewelry suite consists of a beaded necklace, a link bracelet, a floral brooch, a pair of drop earrings, a pair of floral earrings, an...
Category

1960s American Vintage Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Seaman Schepps 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Citrine and Diamond Bracelet
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Dallas, TX
This exquisite flexible bracelet is surrounded by cabochon Citrines weighing approximately 82.50 carats, and dark Citrines weighing approximately 33.29 carats, with approximately 2.6...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Seaman Schepps More Jewelry and Watches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Seaman Schepps more jewelry and watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Seaman Schepps more jewelry and watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Seaman Schepps jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Seaman Schepps carnelian more jewelry and watches, from our inventory of 1, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 3 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider more jewelry and watches by Oscar Heyman, Harry Winston, and Coro. Prices for Seaman Schepps more jewelry and watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,865 and tops out at $35,475, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $32,000.

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