1930s Joseff of Hollywood Bracelet, Red Enamel Leaves | So Lush

The Beginning

Eugene Joseff founded Joseff of Hollywood in 1928, establishing it as a California-based costume jeweler for Hollywood film studios. He began creating pieces for movies upon a request from a costume designer friend. After Eugene’s death in an airplane crash in 1948, his widow Joan took over the company’s management.

Going Hollywood

During the Golden Era of Hollywood, Joseff became the most prestigious name in on-screen jewelry, supplying up to 90% of the jewelry seen in films during the 1940s. The company developed a special matte finish for their jewelry to eliminate camera glare in many films. Joseff also maintained an extensive reference library to ensure the authenticity of period pieces.

Icons like Marilyn Monroe in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ and ‘Some Like It Hot,’ Vivian Leigh in ‘Gone with the Wind,’ Elizabeth Taylor in ‘Cleopatra,’ and other legends like Marlene Dietrich and Lucille Ball prominently wore Joseff jewelry. Each design underwent meticulous crafting to appear authentic on screen. Leveraging this recognition, they expanded into a retail jewelry line sold through department stores.

Joseff Today

The company continues to rent jewelry for major Hollywood productions and sells jewelry from the original molds through its online business. Interestingly, Joseff also manufactured precision airplane parts during WWII and continues this production today.