Good morning,
Today I want to write about a wonderful Trifari CLIPMATE my daughter recently found antiquing.
Definition: CLIPMATE is a patented design exclusive to Trifari for a convertible pin consisting of a rail and frame mechanism used to connect two clips together to form one pin. A CLIPMATE can be worn as one pin or separated into two clips. It is utility patent number 2050804 issued in 1936.
The rare Trifari CLIPMATE features ruby, emerald, and sapphire molded glass stones. Collectors refer to jewelry with these stones as “fruit salad” or “Tutti Frutti.”
Definition: Tutti Frutti is Italian for a food with chopped fruits.
Vintage costume jewelry with these stones was inspired by early 20th century Cartier fine jewelry, modeled after rare carved gemstone designs from India.
The back reveals that the two clips are connected by a rail/frame system consistent with Trifari CLIP-MATE jewelry.
One rail is signed with utility patent number 2050804 issued to Trifari in 1936 for the design of the rail/frame mechanism. The other rail, affixed to the back of the other clip, is signed CLIP-MATES.
Definition: A utility patent is for the design of the mechanism and has seven digits in the number. It differs from a design patent issued for the artistic look of the piece. A design patent has six digits.
Collectors LOVE the “fruit salad” designs, especially the Trifari designs with gemstone colors. This beauty dates to the 1940s.
Trifari also designed “fruit salad” jewelry with pastel, molded plastic stones. The following examples are 1930s era Trifari clips.
The clips above and the clip below are signed KTF which is an early Trifari signature. They all feature molded plastic stones in floral leaf and fruit shapes. There are no rails. They were sold as clips and were never part of a convertible CLIPMATE. There are no known design patents for these designs.
The following necklace is a well-known Trifari design from 1948 with light sapphire “fruit salad” stones.
Although signed PAT. PEND. there is no known patent for the necklace design. However, there are design patents for matching pins from1948, strongly suggesting the necklace is from the same time.
Most Trifari fruit salad jewelry is found online today at high prices. I’m thrilled my daughter recognized and was able to acquire this rare piece in a recent antiquing trip.
I will be sharing some more shopping treasures in future blogs.
Happy Collecting,
Love,
Julie