1950's - 1960's Faux Pearl Earclips signed Alice Caviness (SOLD)

Here we have a beautiful pair of late fifties to early sixties earrings.   They are the work of American Costume Jewellery designer, Alice Caviness.   Each earclip has over 40 individually wired faux or costume pearls.  The work is very similar to that of Miriam Haskell whereby a punched filigree back plate is handwired with individual beads.  These lovely pearls have an almost grey white tone and are most realistic.  They are mounted onto a silver plated floral pierced back and the earclips, also in silvertone, have the ALICE CAVINESS name clearly marked. The earclips measure one inch across and are set in a domed circle design. 

Alice Caviness began her career as a fashion and glove model, moving into the jewelry business in the mid- to late-1940s. Jules Junquerra, her husband and a second generation Spaniard, had been in the lamp and shade business, but as the jewelry business began to grow, he joined her. From the very beginning, Alice Caviness' feminine charm and sense of quality showed in every piece she made.  

Some of the Caviness jewellery was produced in their own factory, but they also imported and commissioned pieces as well. The jewellery was designed by Alice or Millie Petronzio, her designer, who later became head designer at Miriam Haskell Jewelry.  They often worked together  exchanging ideas, examining beads, rhinestones and findings and colour combinations.

The first Caviness showroom was at the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street in New York City, but by the mid-50s they had moved to 435 5th Avenue, where they occupied the fourth and fifth floors. DeMario Jewelry was on the 6th floor and across the street was Lord & Taylor's. In addition to the New York showroom, Caviness had showrooms in Dallas, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Miami, Florida; Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California, as well as showing at the trade shows.  Caviness Jewelry was sold only in high-end boutique and department stores and fine jewelry shops in United States.

In the early 60s in Europe, Alice and Jules found manufacturers of superb sterling and gold-on-sterling jewelry, cloisonne enamels and filigrees. Those pieces became a  staple in the line, and along with the "fashion" line, which consisted of  rhinestone and bead costume jewelry, comprised the Caviness collection.

Both Alice Caviness and her husband had a strong sense of style, an honorable attitude toward business and high ethical standards. In about 1957, Alice Caviness was joined by Lois Steever. She was originally a sales representative who, about 25 years later in 1982 bought the business from the Cavinesses. Although Ms.Caviness retired to Florida in about 1980, and died in 1983, Lois Steever carried on with the line until about the year 2000.

Caviness Jewelry is distinctive and unusual, which explains why it remains so popular today. Since it was a special line of jewelry with many fewer pieces made than companies like Coro and Trifari, it is difficult to find and very collectible.