DeWees is a brand of vintage costume jewelry that was produced between the 1930s and 1940s.
**Brand Origins**
The company was founded by designer Alfred Philippe, who had previously worked at Trifari. DeWees produced handmade jewelry using sterling silver, gold plating, imitation pearls, crystals, sparkling rhinestones, and decorative glass.
The company’s existence was short-lived – only about ten years. During World War II, when strict restrictions were imposed on the use of precious and semi-precious metals, many small jewelry workshops ceased operations, including DeWees.
**Characteristic features and characteristics**
Distinctive features of DeWees jewelry include:
* Themes: images of flowers, exotic animals, plant ornaments.
* Materials used: silver, gold plated, crystals, glass.
* Hallmarks: “DeWees NY”, “Sterling” or simply “DeWees”.
DeWees products are prized by collectors and are popular among connoisseurs of antique jewelry.
