Hollycraft Christmas Tree Brooch | Deck the Halls

About Hollycraft

The Beginning

Hollycraft, produced by the Hollywood Jewelry Manufacturing Company of New York, is cherished today for its romantic designs and fine craftsmanship. Founded in the mid-1930s by Joseph Chorbajian, the firm began marking pieces “Hollycraft” around 1948 to distinguish itself from Joseff of Hollywood.

Mid-Century Popularity

Through the 1950s and early 1960s, Hollycraft became known for its lush use of rhinestones—soft pastels, jewel tones, and later aurora borealis finishes—set into richly textured gold-tone or antiqued metal. Each piece was hand-assembled, and many bear the mark “HOLLYCRAFT © [year],” a dating system collectors now rely on to authenticate vintage examples.

Christmas Jewelry

Among the most sought-after designs are Hollycraft’s holiday brooches, particularly the Christmas tree pins produced in the 1950s. These festive jewels feature layers of colorful rhinestones arranged in ornate cast-metal branches, often accented with a star or candle motif. Genuine mid-century examples are sturdy yet intricate, their stones gleaming with that unmistakable mid-century sparkle. A vintage Hollycraft Christmas tree pin captures both the glamour and good cheer of the postwar era—a miniature work of art that still brightens holiday outfits seventy years later.

Final Years

The company continued producing jewelry into the 1970s, but by around 1979–1980, Hollycraft had ceased operations. While later reproductions sometimes appeared under its name, authentic Hollycraft pieces represent the true artistry of mid-century costume jewelry and remain highly collectible today.