Vintage Danecraft Jewelry Guide

If you are looking for vintage Danecraft jewelry, then you have come to the right place. Here you will learn about the history, materials, jewelry marks, our favorite collectible pieces and where to buy them.

Danecraft is known for its superior quality sterling silver, pearl and gold-plated costume and fashion jewelry. It was founded in the 1930s by the Primavera family. Danecraft pieces are intricate, whimsical, elegant and unique, many with a humorous quality. Their designs are often dimensional and feature intricate depictions of nature with a distinct Art Nouveau influence.

Patriarch of the Primavera family, Victor Primavera was an Italian born artisan and a designer who made jewelry for the rich and royal families of Pescara, Italy under the brand name “Primavera” before he emigrated to the United States. At that time, Providence, Rhode Island was the center of the jewelry making industry, so that is where he set up his business. Victor had a passion for Danish and Scandinavian craftsmanship, hence the eventual name change of his company to “Danecraft.”

The influence of Scandinavian themes is apparent in much of Danecraft jewelry, with its floral motifs and designs taken from nature. Danecraft also produced whimsical pieces showing dogs, kittens, miniature men, fairies, flowers, gardens, garden tools, holiday motifs and much more. Over the years, Danecraft also produced a line of elegant jewelry including luxury quality necklaces, rings and bracelets, much of it in sterling silver.

The brand is still privately owned by the fourth generation of the Primavera family and continues to manufacture jewelry to this day under the brand names Primavera and Danecraft. It is sold in mid-range department stores including Macy’s and Kohl’s.

History

1918 - Primavera Designs is founded. The company specializes in hand-made jewelry for wealthy local families.

1921 – Primavera becomes the largest jewelry company in the Abruzzo region

1934 – Victor Primavera emigrates to Providence, R.I. to set up a new company. It is originally called Felch & Co. and is founded by both Victor Primavera and James Felch. Victor manages the design and model making, while James handles sales and administration.

Late 1930s - Danecraft jewelry line is produced, echoing the much-admired Art Nouveau designs of Danish silversmith Georg Jensen.

1945 – The company name is changed to Danecraft when Victor purchases James’s interest in the company.

1977 – Victor Primavera Snr. dies. His son, Victor Jnr. takes over the company, and recent generations of the Primavera family still run the business.

Danecraft Jewelry Marks 

• Prior to 1945 – DANECRAFT was marked CFo or DANECRAFT CFo (with the C encapsulating the F)
• After 1945, it is marked DANECRAFT
• DANECRAFT 1/20-12KGF
• DANECRAFT Reg. U.S. PAT. OFF Sterling
• DANECRAFT @ STERLING
• DANECRAFT STERLING CFo
• DANEGOLD CFO 1/20 12K G.F.
• STERLING CFo
• STERLING @ DANECRAFT
• “D” on a hangtag by the clasp of a pearl necklace, with a pouch that reads “DANECRAFT.” From Danecraft’s Fuji Seas Collection; still available but without the “D” tag or pouch.
• As of 2017, the company changed its name to “Primavera Italy, a Danecraft Company”

Materials Used

• Sterling silver
• Gold plate
• Pearls
• Enamel
• Rhinestones
• Art glass
• Silver plate
• Cubic Zirconia
• Faux gemstones, including opal and turquoise

Collectible Vintage Danecraft Jewelry 

Vintage Danecraft sterling jewelry has become very collectible these days and Etsy has many reasonably priced Danecraft pieces we think you should consider.

Most collectors think of sterling silver when they think of Danecraft, so that is where we will start. Bangle bracelets, which can be stacked, are reasonably priced, so they are a ready-made collection.

Here is another instant collection of four sterling silver Danecraft bangles Three have the same design and the fourth has a more intricate swirl design. They are 2 1/2” in diameter and a 1/4” wide. All are signed Danecraft inside and all are in excellent condition.

Danecraft also made beautiful sterling silver embossed cuff bracelets. Here is an excellent example of the company’s intricate flower design with scroll work.

This one is from the 1940s and is made of heavy sterling silver with delicate filigree work and it features a faux turquoise cabochon center stone.

Charm bracelets including zodiac signs, state travel souvenirs, holiday charms and those with moveable parts make ‘charming’ additions to your Danecraft collection.

This charm bracelet just has to be part of your Danecraft collection. It dates back to the 1960s and features charms with moveable parts. The charms include a six pack of beer, a church which opens to reveal two wedding rings (marked Danecraft sterling), a convertible car, diploma marked K.H.S. '59, a bridesmaid dated 8-29-64, a poodle, a State of New York charm, and a chocolate ice cream cone.

This is a sterling silver Danecraft charm bracelet with 22 charms total. They include charms from different states, anniversary charms, praying hands, a soldier, Capricorn and Gemini charms, Our Lady of Fatima, a seahorse, and others.

Here we have an exquisite necklace and earring set in sterling silver with a flower motif. It dates back to the 1950s and was made by Danecraft Felch & Company, the precursor to Danecraft. The necklace has five 1" flowers followed by a series of leaves, with a spring ring style clasp. The earrings replicate the leaves in the necklace and have a screw back closure.

This is a Modernist style silver swirl pin brooch…

…and this is a 1940s era sterling silver hallmarked cross studded with faux emeralds.

Danecraft is also known and treasured for its holiday themed jewelry, which included Christmas trees, presents and pieces for other holidays and special celebrations. The following two budget friendly selections are typical of Danecraft:

An adorable gold toned gardening themed brooch is next. Danecraft made many similar pieces.

Finally, here is a beautiful Danecraft Art Nouveau style lapel pin. It was made in the 1960s and features a Calla Lily set in sterling silver.

As you can see, Danecraft made many beautiful, charming and whimsical pieces, which are sought after by collectors. Our picks from Etsy will give you a well-rounded and representative selection of some of the best Danecraft jewelry from the past.

Wishing you happy collecting!