Trifari jewelry first came into being in 1918, when Gustavo Trifari and partner Leo Kraussman began the business. In 1925, a third partner, Carl Fishel, joined the firm. During the 1970s, many costume jewelry companies closed, and Trifari was sold to Hallmark. In 2000, Trifari was sold to the Liz Claiborne group. After the sale to Hallmark, Trifari's reputation for excellent quality and unusual designs suffered, and the company never recovered its former popularity. Trifari jewelry made today is not the quality product that kept the original partnership and company going for almost 60 years.
Trifari employed many talented designers throughout the life of the company, including its most lauded designer, Alfred Philippe. The Trifari company patented many of its designs, and also held utility patents patents on items such as frames for their Clip Mate line.
For more information on Trifari and its history, designers, patents and marks, you can visit Researching Costume Jewelry on Illusion Jewels; Mary Walden-Till’s short history of the company at Maenads’ Gems UK; and Jim Katz’s Jewelry Patents website.