Made To Foil Theft - Eisenberg Vintage Jewellery

Originally a women’s clothing manufacturer who started in 1914, Eisenberg started to make costume jewellery to decorate the clothes on show in their windows.

Then something strange happened.  The jewellery was stolen!  Time after time the jewels would disappear.

These jewels were obviously what the customers wanted, so Eisenberg tooled up to make their very own line of costume jewellery.

They became very well known for their use of Swarovski crystals as well as their superior craftsmanship with fantastic attention to detail.

At their peak in the 1930-1940 period, the company created replicas of famous jewellery of the 1700’s.  This line of costume jewellery was so good that it was authentic in every degree, including the special type of metal which looked like pot metal or pewter.

Some Eisenberg is marked but from 1952 – 1970 there was no mark at all.  Marks that were used include the stamp “Eisenberg Original” (about 1935-1945), “Eisenberg” and “Eisenberg Ice” were used from around 1945 to 1950.

Just to confuse the issue, pieces made of silver were made from 1943–1948 and were marked “Eisenberg Sterling”.

When hunting out Eisenberg jewellery, look for medallion type brooches and clips, some were made in the form of ballerinas or mermaids.

Animals were also popular in the form of birds, butterflies, horses and zebras.  But some brooches almost told a short story in itself, like the brooch of Puss from Puss in Boots.  Eisenberg created these for the Eaves Costume Company.

The collectors favourites of all the Eisenberg items are probably the sterling silver pieces which are studded with a type of quartz called citrine.  During the middle of the 1940’s Eisenberg also made some 14 ct gold as well as turquoise pieces made by artisans in Mexico.

There are also collectors of Eisenberg enamel items from the 1970’s and one to look out for amid the enamelled brooches of yellow sunflowers and water lilies is the 18kt gold brooches and earrings in the Artists Series.  Of course, these are now highly sought after by collectors worldwide.