"Kramer," a jewelry brand founded by Louis Kramer in 1943, is a jewelry maker known for its dazzling pieces that draw attention, much like Weiss. Kramer is famous for its jewelry adorned with sparkling Swarovski rhinestones, which exhibit a brilliance that is reminiscent of Weiss. Kramer’s jewelry pieces are all incredibly vibrant and captivating, with designs that make it hard to look away.
Kramer primarily used Swarovski rhinestones in its jewelry, offering a wide range of prices that appealed to a broad audience. This allowed for a wide variety of designs, from simple pieces to more luxurious ones. The colorful Swarovski rhinestone pieces, in particular, are striking and beautiful in their own right.
Personally, I find the pieces that feature opal stones particularly stunning, with their exquisite color tones and overall brilliance. The way the opal stones catch and reflect light adds depth to the jewelry, giving it an ethereal quality as if it is bathed in light.
In addition, there are several pieces that use sapphire-like stones similar to Saphiret, which are very rare and highly valued among collectors. The unique glow and color of these Saphiret stones make Kramer’s jewelry even more special.
Kramer’s jewelry is characterized by its simplicity, yet the stunning fusion of sparkle and color makes its designs captivating. Many pieces from Kramer have a magnetic allure that is sure to captivate anyone who lays eyes on them.
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The opal stones have excellent color matching
The beautiful Swarovski crystals are in vibrant colors and are carefully set with prongs.
Kramer jewelry is known for having different markings depending on the line, with higher-end pieces bearing the "Kramer" or "Kramer NY" markings, while more affordable items are typically tagged with paper tags. Knowing these distinctions can help you assess the value and era of the jewelry.
1950s Kramer Jewelry
Kramer jewelry from the 1950s is particularly popular among collectors due to its diverse and innovative designs. Pieces from this period often feature abstract and geometric patterns, showcasing a creative and eye-catching aesthetic. Animal and insect motifs, as well as figures like crowns, were commonly used, giving the jewelry a unique and progressive vibe that fit well with the fashion trends of the time.
Additionally, many pieces from this era incorporated a groundbreaking technique where rhinestones were covered in black netting before being set into their settings. This technique, which was novel at the time, brought a new level of sparkle to the stones, making their brilliance even more dazzling. The use of black netting made the rhinestones stand out dramatically, creating a bold, vibrant effect. This distinctive style has become one of the hallmark characteristics of Kramer jewelry, continuing to attract collectors today with its lasting appeal.
The Golden Look series is one of the most notable lines of 1950s Kramer jewelry. This series combines beautiful gold-plated techniques with sparkling rhinestones, earning it widespread popularity. True to its name, the Golden Look features a dazzling finish that resembles real gold. The metal is gold-plated, and colorful rhinestones are set as accents, adding to its elegance.
The Golden Look series was created to offer the luxury feel that was in vogue in the fashion world at the time, while still being relatively affordable. This made it particularly popular among women. Its beauty and shine gave it the appearance of real gold jewelry, yet it remained a costume jewelry piece. Despite being made of more accessible materials, its luxurious appearance made it a top-tier choice for those who wanted the look of fine jewelry without the high price tag.
1950s: Kramer's exquisite jewelry and exceptional craftsmanship caught the eye of fashion giant Christian Dior, who invited the brand to collaborate in the 1950s. The pieces created under the name Kramer by Dior are highly sought after due to their beauty and superior design quality. These pieces are stamped with "Dior by Kramer" or "Kramer for C. Dior", making them extremely rare and highly valuable to collectors today.
1960s: As the 1960s approached, Kramer introduced a new collection called the "Diamond Look" series. This series features stunning ice-silver plates adorned with sparkling rhinestones, creating an incredibly sophisticated design. The Diamond Look series continues to be popular today, especially in bridal jewelry, and is often carried by jewelry stores and boutiques. The Kramer jewelry from this era is known for its elegant yet dazzling appearance, making it perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions.
Amourelle
One of the most noteworthy collections from Kramer in the 1960s is the "Amourelle" line, introduced in 1963. This line was created during the time when Frank Hess, the main designer at Haskell, worked as a designer for Kramer, making it a truly special collection.
Amourelle jewelry is known as one of the rarest and most expensive pieces in Kramer's portfolio. The pieces are marked with only the word "Amourelle" on their stamp. The series is characterized by its simple yet sophisticated design and exceptional craftsmanship. Highly regarded among collectors and jewelry enthusiasts, Amourelle pieces remain incredibly valuable and are considered some of the most coveted items in the world of vintage jewelry.
The Frank Hess design is engraved on a cute heart-shaped plate.
This is a later work by Kramer, likely influenced by Frank Hess.
In the early 1970s, Kramer closed its doors and ended its activities as a jewelry brand. However, Kramer jewelry continues to shine, and particularly the beautiful parures (jewelry sets) featuring exquisite rhinestones have become highly desirable items among collectors, with their value steadily increasing over the years.
Kramer jewelry is characterized by its stunning brilliance and sparkle, showcasing exceptional designs that reflect the fashion and aesthetic sensibilities of its time. The lavish parures, with their abundant use of sparkling rhinestones, remain highly coveted by collectors and have only grown in value over time. As a result, it is not uncommon for Kramer jewelry to fetch high prices in today's market. Now, Kramer pieces are regarded as some of the most sought-after items in the world of vintage jewelry.