ABOUT VINTAGE JEWELRY FROM WEST GERMANY, GERMANY & EAST GERMANY:

The German Empire originated in 1871 and was called "Germany" until 1949, when it split to West and East Germany. West Germany, the U.S. British and French Zones of Occupation became the Federal Republic of Germany. East Germany (the Soviet zone), West Berlin (the western sectors) and East Berlin (the Eastern sector) became known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In 1990, East and West Germany unified again, and the country is now known as Germany.

Items produced including costume jewelry made before and up through 1948 are marked: “Germany”. Those made in 1949 from West Germany were marked: “Western Zone Germany“, “American Zone Germany“, “W. Germany“, “West Germany”, “Made in West Germany”, and “Made in Western Germany”. In East Germany, items were marked: “German Democratic Republic”. Therefore, older jewelry pieces marked just “Germany” are almost certain to be pre-WWII. 

The German costume jewelry were often designed in the Art Nouveau (poetic interpretation of nature 1890-1915) and Art Deco (geometric figures and symmetrical forms 1919-1930) forms.  Sterling silver, silver-tone, gold-tone, rhodium, brass, chromium, filigree, and white base metals were used along with various imitation stones, clear and multi colored crystals, rhinestones, lampwork beads, crackle glass and art glass beads.  The European country, by hand, created exceptional examples of costume jewelry. The costume jewelry, the old style designs of Germany and West Germany, were probably produced in the 1920’s through the 1950’s, and were similar to those of Miriam Haskell.   Costume jewelry made in West Germany is becoming hard to find.