Collecting Vintage Christmas Pins

Although women in the 1940s and 1950s could wear their lovely new pins over and over, they demanded new designs each year and jewelry designers gladly responded with more dazzling creations every fall.  Women began seeking out the latest Christmas jewelry in department stores as soon as they hit the jewelry counters.  They enjoyed wearing a different pins throughout the season. 

The tradition of Christmas tree pin production by jewelry companies has grown since the 40s.  Every year you can find hundreds of newly minted pins Christmas pins in department stores, catalogs and online.  The spectrum of designs ranges from minimalist to ornate, and everything in between.  And like their predecessors, modern pins are snatched up quickly by collectors.  Once the Christmas jewelry is sold out, it becomes collectible and people begin searching sties like eBay and Ruby Land for pins from their favorite designers. 

Art rhinestone Christmas tree pin from my collection.

Some collectors will pay hundreds of dollars for Christmas pins, especially vintage tree pins that have survived in good condition.  Also newer jewelry that was manufactured in limited quantities command top dollars.  Generally speaking pins made before the year 2000 are more valuable because they were more likely to have been made in the USA, and are higher quality and more attention to detail. 

You've probably guessed I'm a Christmas tree pin collector myself.  I have many different jewelry collections but my costume jewelry Christmas tree pins are some of my favorites.  I've got some favorite designers and pieces that brighten up my day whenever I find one at a flea market or antique mall.  Join me as I share some examples of collectible Christmas tree pins.

The patriotic red white & blue tree pin above was created in 2001 after the 9-11 tragedy.  It's for sale in my Charmcrazey eBay store and is featured in Warman's Costume Jewelry Figurals Book, page 89.

JJ Jewelry began their business back in 1935 in Providence Rhode Island, the hub of American jewelry manufacturing in the early 20th century.  The family owned company had several name changes and eventually settled on Jonette Jewelry Company in 1944.  Most of the Christmas tree pins you find now are marked JJ on the back. Jonette began that practice in 1970 and they made many tree pins.  They are very easy to find online and are still affordable.  Jonette Jewelry Company closed in 2006 so look for JJ prices to go up in price as they become more collectible.

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