Richelieu Victoria Pat Pend 1980's Double Row Faux Pearl Front Clasp Necklace

Richelieu Victoria Pat Pend 1980's Double Row Faux Pearl Front Clasp Necklace featuring two rows of equal sized faux pearls with a beautiful front or back clasp comprising five rows of clear rhinestones, and each row with a larger rhinestone, comprising colours of green, amber, purple, red and blue.  The clasp is signed on the one side 'VICTORIA PAT PEND.' as well as 'RICHELIEU' on a rectangular cartouche, so it was made after 1979 when Lisner-Richelieu Corp merged with Victoria & Co.  The clasp is 2cm high and 4.2cm wide and the necklace measures 40cm long and it weighs 81g.  A wonderful piece capturing the very essence of 1980's glamour.

Richelieu jewellery originated from Joseph H. Meyer & Bros., a Brooklyn, New York-based company, with production starting in 1911.  The brand gained prominence after merging with Heller-Deltah Company, known for Deltah Pearls, in 1933, a move highlighted in a New York Times article. Despite this merger, Joseph H. Meyer & Bros. continued to be credited as the manufacturer in some 1940s advertisements.

Richelieu became a standout name in imitation pearl jewellery, especially during the 1940s and 1950s.  Their necklaces were often packaged in elegant satin-lined boxes bearing the company name, accompanied by hang tags tied with ribbon for a touch of luxury.  Higher end pieces featured clasps adorned with rhinestones, while others included karat gold (in yellow or white) or sterling silver components, adding versatility and value. 

As the decades progressed into the 1960s and 1970s, Richelieu’s designs grew more daring, incorporating increased use of rhinestones and innovative plastic materials to keep pace with evolving fashion trends.  In the late 1970s, Richelieu merged with D. Lisner Company, forming Lisner-Richelieu Corp.  By 1979, this entity joined Victoria & Co., which at the time also owned brands like Napier and Givenchy, expanding its portfolio.  A Victoria & Co. representative confirmed in 2003 that the Richelieu brand had been discontinued, marking the end of its production.