Napier, Prystal and Dinner Jewelry

There has not been much written about the jewelry produced by The Napier Co. during the 1930s. It was thought that the company largely suspended its jewelry production during this period and focused its business on alcohol and tobacco-related items due to changed personal habits brought forth by the prohibition.

Napier Jewelry 1930 WWD

One thing is for sure; The Napier Co. made Prystal jewelry. Albeit, very little has been identified as Napier jewelry on the secondary collectors’ market.

In 1930, the company presented a line of Prystal jewelry that was part of its “Dinner Jewelry” line. Designed with the Sunday dinner frock in mind, the collection’s emphasis was on white–with black, color, or gold-tone findings to accentuate the design. The line also involved the use of faceted crystal instead of Prystal. Featured were pendant necklaces with white Prystal, filigree elements and splashes of color—mostly with added motif accents in green and red. The line also featured large festoon necklaces made of carved Prystal in a variety of shapes. (Those exact shapes remain unknown.)

The crystal necklaces were often accented with antique-gold findings. The necklaces came in single, double, and triple strand necklaces. Beads were usually graduated as a part of the design and sometimes included black or green crystal accents. Other accent elements included leaves or filigree flowers common in later station necklace designs.

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If you have a c. 1930s piece of Napier jewelry you’d like to share, please write us!