Monocraft “Click-Its” gold-plated brooch, c. 1936.
Image courtesy Jay B. Siegel
One of the issues Monocraft collectors deal with is condition. If these pieces were stored away from other jewelry to prevent scratching, they can still look pretty good. That’s not always the case though, so many turn up in the secondary marketplace looking worse for wear.
The company also made Shirley Temple and Dionne Quintuplets jewelry in 1936. The manufacturing was rushed to meet deadlines, however, and the result was inferior workmanship in comparison to other Monocraft-branded jewelry. Needless to say, these novelty pieces were short-lived.
Monet Jewelers Launch Monocraft expanded its market reach in 1937 by launching Monet Jewelers as a subsidiary. The new business ran its first full-page advertisement in the October 1937 edition of Vogue , showing jewelry with “the famous Monocraft finish and expert workmanship.” Prices in that initial ad ranged from $5 to $100. To put those prices in perspective, that’s the equivalent of about $20 to $1,800 today.
The jewelry shown in those ads, and moving forward, was far different than earlier Monocraft products. While some pieces have a timeless appeal and others carried over Art Deco and Victorian revival characteristics, Monet Jewelers was clearly targeting the fashionable woman of the day. Global influences were part of the early Monet collections as seen in the “Hindu Bells” and “Etruscan” lines as well as their Egyptian revival designs.
Monet Jewelers “Hindu Bells” gold-plated bracelet, 1937.
Image courtesy Jay B. Siegel
Marks are the key to differentiating the early Monet pieces from newer ones. Look for the aforementioned “Monet Jewelers” metal hang tags on necklaces and bracelets made from 1937 until the mid-1940s. Brooch styles, including dress clips, are a bit more difficult since they are just marked “Monét” in a serif typeface. The trick is looking for the accent over the “e,” since later jewelry made under this brand is marked “MONET.” None of the older pieces are super easy to find these days but can be well worth the effort to hunt down.
While much of the Monet jewelry made during the period was centered on metals in both silver- and gold-colored versions, pieces were made with enameling and rhinestones in very limited quantities through the mid-1940s. As with Monocraft jewelry, the condition of all these pieces largely depends on how they were stored. Higher prices should be reserved only for those in excellent condition.
Monet Jewelers advertisement in October 1954 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
Learning More About Monet Plan on learning more about Monet jewelry in future columns since the company also made some interesting designs and did some beautifully creative advertising in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Some of the 1980s jewelry by Monet, along with their collaborations with couture houses, is worth a closer look as well.
In the meantime, if you’re wanting to delve into Monet more deeply, I’d recommend getting your own copy of Monet: The Master Jewelers
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