How do you grade vintage condition?

We use a standard condition scale: Fair, Good, Very Good, and Mint. Most pieces fall in the Very Good range, showing only minor wear from age and careful use. Each product description includes detailed notes.

What are your shipping and return policies?

Orders ship within five business days. International buyers are responsible for duties and taxes. Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery—please notify us within 10 days of receipt. Full details appear on our Shipping & Returns page.

What is the history of Miriam Haskell jewelry?

Miriam Haskell was one of America’s most influential costume jewelry houses. Founded in New York City in 1926, her boutique quickly became known for intricate, hand-beaded necklaces and earrings, many designed by Frank Hess. Hollywood icons including Joan Crawford and Lucille Ball wore Haskell’s elaborate pieces. Early jewelry was not signed until the 1950s, which is why many unsigned vintage works are misidentified today. Collectors prize authentic Miriam Haskell jewelry for its craftsmanship and rarity, and the brand continues to produce jewelry under later designers.

How can I shop more vintage items like this?

You can browse more items from this same category directly on our website. Every piece is authentic and one-of-a-kind.

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1950s Miriam Haskell Brass Jewelry Set | Sculptural Floral Drama

Pair with a simple boatneck, cashmere crew, or a clean sheath. This 1950s Miriam Haskell brass jewelry set loves a quiet backdrop.

Haskell Necklace, Bracelet & Earrings Set Details

This exceptional three-piece Miriam Haskell set showcases the atelier’s mastery of brass bead-and-wire construction at its midcentury peak. Every element here is hand-assembled, richly layered, and unmistakably Haskell—where abundance, texture, and architectural balance come together in a way no one else quite managed.

The necklace features a coiled brass wire neck ring anchored by a dramatic open circular drop, flanked by dense floral clusters built from ribbed brass beads, domed caps, and filigree petals. These bouquets are not merely decorative—they are structural, carefully wired to create volume and depth without stiffness. The warm, antiqued brass finish softens the bold design, giving the entire piece a mellow, almost burnished glow.

The wrap bracelet mirrors the necklace’s floral construction, wrapping the wrist in the same sculptural garden of brass beads and wirework. It feels substantial without being heavy, with the flexible wire allowing it to sit comfortably while maintaining its shape.

Completing the set are matching clip earrings, each designed with a compact floral top and a circular wire hoop below—perfectly scaled to echo the necklace’s centerpiece without overwhelming the face. The clips are secure and well-balanced, a hallmark of Haskell’s thoughtful engineering.

This is costume jewelry in the truest, highest sense of the word: not imitation fine jewelry, but an entirely separate art form—built by hand, intended to be noticed, and made to last.

Miriam Haskell.
Circa 1950s.
Set includes: Necklace, wrap bracelet, and clip earrings.
Brass bead and wire construction.
Very good vintage condition, with a consistent aged patina appropriate to age.

Why We Love It:

This is a set that loves simplicity elsewhere—clean necklines, solid fabrics, minimal competing jewelry. Think black crepe, ivory silk, or a winter knit with a low scoop. Worn together, it’s a statement. Worn separately, each piece still carries unmistakable Haskell presence.

VINTAGE CONDITION

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WHO WAS MIRIAM HASKELL

About Miriam Haskell

Miriam Haskell was one of the most important American costume companies of the 20^th Century. Haskell, along with Coco Chanel, was a rare woman at the top of the jewelry industry.

Born in 1899 to Russian immigrant parents, in Tell City, Indiana. Haskell studied for several years at the University of Chicago. Moving to New York City in 1924 with $500 in her pocket, Haskell opened a jewelry boutique in 1926 in the McAlpin Hotel, now an apartment building, in Herald Square.

A second outlet opened within the year at West 57th Street. In the 1930s, the company moved to 392 Fifth Avenue. Frank Hess, principal designer,, created the company’s signature look of intricate, beaded necklaces and earrings. All handmade, including elaborate tapestry beading.

Miriam Haskell was highly popular with Hollywood stars such as Lucille Ball as well as other celebrities including Gloria Vanderbilt, and the Duchess of Windsor. Joan Crawford reportedly owned almost every Haskell piece produced, from the 1920s through the 1960s.

Haskell became ill in 1950 and lost control of her company to her brothers. In increasingly ill health, Miriam Haskell died in 1981. Frank Hess retired in 1960. The company has gone through several owners and still produces jewelry today. Designers after Hess include Peter Raines, Larry Vrba, and Millie Petronzio.

During the 1950s, Miriam Haskell jewelry was still produced using labor-intensive techniques that relied on skilled artisans rather than molds. Brass beads were sourced unfinished and assembled piece by piece, often wired over frames to achieve volume and movement. Sets like this were expensive when new and marketed to women who understood fashion as expression, not trend.

Complete Haskell sets from this period—especially ones unified by such a strong sculptural motif—are increasingly difficult to find.

Collectors highly price vintage Miriam Haskell jewelry. In addition, watercolor prints originally used for advertising, showing models wearing large Haskell pieces are also very collectible^. Unfortunately, Haskell Jewelry was unsigned until the 1950s. As a result, many unsigned beaded items are misidentified as Haskell. Jewelry is still made under this mark but is of much lesser quality.

HOW TO CARE FOR VINTAGE JEWELRY

How to Care for Vintage Jewelry

Always handle vintage jewelry gently and store it carefully between wearings. Keep each piece in a soft pouch or lined box to prevent scratches, tangling, or metal abrasion. Avoid contact with water, perfume, hairspray, and household cleaners, which can dull finishes or weaken settings. To clean, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away oils and dust. For metals and stones, use a mild, non-abrasive jewelry cleaner suited to the materials. Never submerge rhinestone or glued pieces in water or use ultrasonic cleaners, as moisture can damage the foil backing or loosen stones. With proper care, your vintage jewelry will retain its beauty and character for years to come.

Buy our favorite jewelry cleaner here.

SHIPPING & RETURNS

We ship items within five business days. Occasionally, there might be shipping delays. If this occurs, we will promptly notify you.

Clothing and accessories ship via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, or FedEx, selecting the best option based on price and insurance. Jewelry ships either First Class or Priority. For overseas orders, we use International First Class. Please refer to our Shipping Information for detailed rates.

International buyers are responsible for all customs duties. PLEASE NOTE: Starting July 1, 2021, EU members will incur VAT taxes based on the specific country’s tax rates during importation.

We know you may be wary about buying vintage items. If so, we do offer returns. If you receive vintage pieces and are dissatisfied or if the item doesn’t fit, please inform Madge of your return request within 10 days of receiving the merchandise. You must return the items within 30 days after notifying us.

You can find our complete Return Policy here. If you have further questions after reading, please call or text (404) 850-1757.