 If you're in town then come and visit us at: The Antique Connection Mall 12815 Central NE Albuquerque New Mexico, 87123 USA See More | ALICE CAVINESS was a lovely petite blond with a southern drawl and a dynamic but feminine personality. Beginning her career as a fashion and glove model, she decided to widen her horizons and move 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 there instead. From the very beginning, Alice Caviness’ feminine charm and sense of quality showed in every piece she made. Walter Smith, my source for the history of the company, began working for the Alice Caviness Jewelry Company right out of high school in about 1960. Like many others who worked there, he met Alice and her husband Jules and became like a member of the family. Walter worked his way up in the business, becoming one of the sales representatives, and continued his affiliation with her until he joined New York Police Department in 1973. Even then he and his wife continued working for the company until 1982. Walter says Alice and Jules were one of the most generous, honest and charismatic couples he ever knew, and still speaks of them today with great fondness. From the very beginning, a portion of the Caviness jewelry was produced in their own factory, but they also imported and commissioned pieces as well. The jewelry itself was designed by Alice or Millie Petronzio, her designer. Millie, who later became head designer at Miriam Haskell Jewelry, worked at Caviness until 1982. They often worked together by exchanging ideas, examining beads, rhinestones and findings and selecting color combinations. As far as Walter remembers, they did not work from sketches. 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. Her best jewelry sales were in the southwest, and her Dallas salesman was John Arnolds. Caviness Jewelry was sold only in high-end boutique and department stores and fine jewelry shops in United States, and they were very selective as to who carried their jewelry. 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. Some of the European pieces can be seen in the 1970 catalogue by clicking HERE. As far as Walter knows, only two catalogues were ever produced…. one in about 1965 and one about in 1970. These catalogues were used in multiple years, with the prices being updated by inserting new price sheets. All Caviness jewelry was signed on at least one piece of a parure, but there was never a catalogue done for the fashion jewelry. Caviness Jewelry did their major lines in Spring & Fall, bringing many buyers to the NY showroom during these times. Walter remembers certain pieces that remained in demand for many years. Millie Petronzio, head designer for 25 years, made a line called the "Cleopatra" which included a bib necklace of aqua oval cabochons joined by antiqued gold tone filigree diamond shapes. (Millie Petronzio was later the head designer for Miriam Haskell Jewelry). While it was also made in other colors, the aqua was by far the most popular and sold for several years. Another set that was very popular was the lovely green and pastels rhinestone set shown below, item #C28642. Groups from the fashion line could be run for many years if they continued to be in demand. 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 today, and very collectible. |
CAVINESS green glass with white swirl unusually shaped glass stones surrounded by blue with gold flecked cabochons, blue, lavender, rose and yellow rhinestones and artificial pearls 2-1/4" brooch. View #C28643 | CAVINESS green glass with white swirl unusually shaped glass stones surrounded by blue with gold flecked cabochons, blue, lavender, rose and yellow rhinestones and artificial pearls 14" to 16" necklace, 7" by 1-1/3" bracelet, pearls 2-1/4" brooch and 1-1/4" earrings. See other pieces in this series in Carole Tanenbaum’s "Fabulous Fakes" on page 144. View View View View View #C28642 | CAVINESS rhinestone, glass leaves and artificial pearls hinged bangle, 6-3/4" inside size and 2" across the face. See other pieces in this series in Carole Tanenbaum’s book "Fabulous Fakes" on page 147. View View View View #C35916 |
CAVINESS brooch of a blue unfoiled rhinestone center with tendrils of blue, green and clear rhinestone flowers overlapping it, all set into silver tone, 2-1/4". View #C29373 | ALICE CAVINESS pineapple brooch with dichroic glass peacock eyes and clear rhinestones, glass leaves, marked on the back "Alice Caviness", 3-1/8" by 2". I have also seen these crescent-shaped glass elements on German jewelry.
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| CAVINESS amber and topaz rhinestones and poured glass brooch, 2-1/3". View #C24853 |
CAVINESS purple and blue cabs and rhinestones 13-16" necklace, 6-1/2" hinged bangle and 1-3/4" earrings. View View #C24898 | CAVINESS unsigned copper-colored and iridescent art glass cabochons, yellow and topaz colored rhinestones with clear rhinestone accents set in gold tone earrings, one faceted glass bead replaced, 2-1/8". View View #C29616 | CAVINESS faux pearl and blue, yellow and red rhinestones 14-16" necklace, 7" by 1-1/4" bracelet and 1-1/2" earrings. View View #C21942 |
ALICE CAVINESS figural green enameled turtle pin with marcasites. Caviness had these made in Germany and added their mark to them. View #C40968 | ALICE CAVINESS necklace and earrings with lavender rhinestones and faceted glass beads, necklace 18-1/2" and clip back earrings 1-1/8". This is one of the most beautiful Caviness sets I have ever seen! View View #X40080 | |
CAVINESS aqua art glass and rhinestones 16" necklace, 3-5/8" brooch and 1-1/2" earrings. View View View #C28227 | CAVINESS white givre and artificial pearls brooch, 2-7/8" by 1-5/8". View #C31215 | CAVINESS white, tan and yellow glass bead necklace, 21″ to 23″ long. View #C22482 |
CAVINESS green and pink unfoiled marquis, art glass, black cabochons and clear rhinestones set in antiqued silver tone 1-5/8" earrings. View #C29513 | CAVINESS green and pink unfoiled marquis, black cabochons and clear rhinestones set in antiqued silver tone 2-1/8" brooch and 2-1/2" earrings. View View #C29514 | CAVINESS very 3-dimensional set of clear rhinestones and faceted crystal beads that dangle on stems 2-5/8" pin and 1-1/4" earrings all in japanned settings. View #C17853 |
ALICE CAVINESS enameled sterling and marcasite butterfly brooch, marked on the back "Alice Caviness sterling Germany", 1-1/2". View #C35322 | ALICE CAVINESS lavender aurora borealis dangly necklace and button earrings with lavender faceted glass beads, all set in gold tone, necklace 16-18" wearable length, clip back earrings 1-1/8". View View View #C37228 | ALICE CAVINESS Germany sterling bug pin with aqua and blue enameling on the wings, brown and yellow enamel on the body, marcasites head, red rhinestone eyes and all in excellent condition circa 1960, 1" by 7/8".
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CAVINESS Germany sterling enamel and marcasite peacock pin, 2-1/2". This can be seen in the Caviness Catalogue HERE. View #C29826 | BOTH | GERMAN sterling enamel and marcasite peacock pin, darker, 2-1/2". It is exactly like the Caviness piece, but not signed. View #N29834 |
CAVINESS Germany sterling silver and enameled rooster pin with marcasites, 1-1/3". This can be seen in the Caviness Catalogue HERE. View #C23569 | CAVINESS sterling enamel and marcasite basket pin with marcasites, 1-3/4". This can be seen in the Caviness Catalogue HERE. View #C29825 | ALICE CAVINESS enameled flower brooch with a butterfly on the top. #C20256 View #C20256 |
CAVINESS cobalt blue cabochon and blue, smoke and purple rhinestones brooch with aqua accents. View #C20876 | CAVINESS blue and green rhinestone and faceted bead necklace, as is, 15-1/3". View View View #Y27826 | CAVINESS aqua green and black rhinestone kitty pin, 2-1/8". View #C28228 |
CARNEGIE rose pink, tan and gold tone glass bead earrings, 1-1/4″. View #C22481 | CAVINESS blue aurora borealis swirl brooch. View #C20243 | CAVINESS rose pink art glass bead earrings, 1-5/8″. View #C22483 |
CAVINESS green aurora borealis earrings set in gold tone, 1-1/4". #C62851 | ALICE CAVINESS aqua moon glow rhinestones and aurora borealis necklace and earrings set in gold tone, necklace 17-1/2" by 3/4", clip back earrings 1-3/4" . View #X35808 | CAVINESS gold tone pineapple brooch with aqua beads and clear rhinestones, as is. View #C51076 |
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