Vintage Givenchy Jewelry Guide

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

Givenchy drew on both his aristocratic ancestry and artistic forebears to create elegant jewelry that would appeal to women across economic and social lines. His vintage jewelry is not only highly collectible, but the pieces enhance all fashions in all seasons.

Brief History of Givenchy Jewelry

Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy was born in 1927 in northern France. He came from a line of Venetian aristocrats on this father’s side: he was a count, his father the Marquise of Givenchy. His maternal side of the family leaned more to artistry. His grandfather dealt in tapestries; his great-grandfather was a set designer for the Paris opera and the performances held at the Elysee Palace.

Hubert moved to Paris at the age of 17 and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, the prestigious School of Fine Arts, that trained many of Frances’s finest painters, including Degas, Delacroix, Ingres, Renoir, Seurat, and Sisley. He interned with popular fashion designers, worked alongside the then-unknown Christian Dior and, in 1947, joined Elsa Schiaparelli’s fashion house, going on to become artistic director. When he was 25 years old, he opened his first boutique that carried his fashions and his jewelry—all high end. His creations were soon being sold in upscale boutiques all around the world.

His jewelry was famous for his use of faux pearls, rhinestones, polished glass and plated metals. Many pieces incorporate the “Double G” logo as part of the design, often on the clasp. The quality, materials and design are impeccable, while more affordable than other fashion designers’ collections. That did not stop the rich and famous from wearing his creations. He is famous for his decades-long friendship with Audrey Hepburn, who was his muse. He also designed for Lauren Bacall, Jacqueline Kennedy, Ingrid Bergman, Greta Garbo, Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren. His most productive years for creating chic jewelry were the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1988, he sold his business to the luxury conglomerate LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey). He continued designing for seven years, until he retired in 1995. Hubert died in his sleep at his Renaissance chateau near Paris in 2018.

In April 2020, Renaud de Lesque became President and CEO of the Givenchy label. He has quite a pedigree: 8 years as President and CEO, Dior (part of LVMH); 10 years as President, L’Oreal; and Global President of Giorgio Armani.

Jewelry marks 

• Double “G’s”
• 4 “G’s” in a square pattern
• “Hubert de Givenchy”
• “GIVENCHY”
• “Givenchy”
• “GIVENCHY PARIS - NEW YORK”
• “© Givenchy Paris New York (year)” in an oval cartouche
• “GIVENCHY (4 G’s) BIJOUX” in circle

Materials Used

• Gold
• Gold-plated brass
• Gold-tone metal
• Gold-plated stainless steel
• Silver
• Silver-plated metal
• Pearls
• Faux pearls
• Faux opals
• Zirconia
• Swarovski crystals
• Diamante crystals
• Multi-colored crystals
• Rhinestones
• Cabochons
• Amber
• Glass
• Lucite
• Enamel
• Wood

Is Givenchy Jewelry Real Gold?

The answer to this is yes, and no. Givenchy jewelry contains real gold, but most of it is not made of solid gold. Givenchy jewelry was worn by Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Wallis Simpson and many more celebrities of their day, but it was produced using quality metal alloys. It consists of gold or silver-plate, which means a layer of real gold and silver on top of a strengthening metal alloy such as copper. This gives the jewelry more durability on an everyday basis. For example 24k gold is 100% real gold but is too soft for practical use in jewelry.  18k gold plate contains 75% of real gold on top of a brass or copper metal alloy, and 14k gold is 58.3% pure gold.

How To Tell If A Givenchy Necklace is Real

Givenchy is an iconic jewelry brand, prized for its bold, chunky designs and timeless wearability. To find out if your necklace is real, look for the following distinguishing marks:

 A trademark of the Givenchy brand is the 4G box logo, which has been used since the 1950s. It consists of 4 letter G symbols set opposite each other in a square box. Your necklace will have the name Givenchy underneath the 4G logo, with the words Paris - New York arched over the top. After 1955, Givenchy added the copyright symbol above their name, with Paris- New York engraved underneath. Any pieces from 1975 to 1980 will also have a date underneath. In the 80s and 90s, you’ll see the logo or the word ‘Givenchy’. Other markings include the Givenchy ‘G’ signature and the Hubert De Givenchy inscription.

How to Spot Fake Givenchy Earrings

Givenchy jewelry was copied in the 80s and 90s, and, unfortunately, fake pieces from China are also coming onto the market. So, are your Givenchy earrings the real deal? Here are some tips to make sure. Check for the trademark, logos and identifying signatures - 4G box logo, copyright mark ‘C’, Givenchy, Givenchy ‘G’ signature, Hubert De Givenchy inscription. Are the letters in perfect alignment? If they are missing, off center, or badly engraved, the earrings may be fake. Givenchy jewelry is made in France, Italy and Portugal, so if your earrings say “Made in China” they are not real.

Favorite Collectable Vintage Givenchy Jewelry 

Byzantine/Etruscan Charm Choker Necklace

Circa 1980s. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a charm necklace before! This gold-tone chunky Moghul chain collar has 8 charms, medallions and teardrops, that include lustrous faux pearls and diamanté crystal rhinestones in an Etruscan Revival design.

Gold Omega Zebra Enamel Necklace & Earrings Set

Circa 1980s. Large plate necklace with cream and black enamel on a thick gold-tone omega chain. Box clasp has the G logos at sides. Matching cream and black enamel clip earrings.

Enamel Earrings

Metallic pink, apple green, tan, peach, and yellow green enamel accented with Swarovski crystals on a gold-tone base. Earrings measure 1 5/8” x 1 1/8”

Lucite Earrings

Circa 1979. Clip-on shell-shaped earrings with green foil backs and cubic zirconia stones.

Gold-toned Link Bracelet

Circa 1980s. Gold-plated articulated link bracelet with fold-over clasp closure.

Why Is Givenchy Jewelry So Cheap?

Givenchy jewelry is surprisingly affordable, and it comes in a wide range of designs ranging from classic to vintage and even gothic. The secret to its affordability is that it is costume jewelry, designed to be accessible to every woman – rather than ‘haute joiallerie’ or ‘high jewelry’ which is made from precious gemstones and metals costing substantially more. Givenchy jewelry is made from plated gold or sterling silver which is placed over cheaper metal alloys such as copper or brass. Plated metals are stronger than pure 24k gold for example, which is rarely used in everyday wear jewelry due to its extreme softness and lack of durability. Givenchy also uses lower priced faux pearls, rhinestones, Lucite, Swarovski crystals, cabochons, enamel and amber rather than real diamonds or colored precious gems.

Givenchy jewelry is affordable yes, but it is certainly not “cheap” in the sense that it is badly made.

Most Collectible Givenchy Jewelry Items

• Vintage Givenchy Torque Necklaces from the 1980s are highly collectible
  

Tips for Buying Vintage Givenchy Jewelry

• Check the feedback that a seller receives. Also note the way they respond to the comments, concerns or questions.
• On eBay, be wary of sellers who have been on there less than a year.
• Outside of eBay, use Google and Facebook to search their email address. You should be able to find some information and verify if they are legitimate. If the email address does not show up, ask if there is some other email address you can check.  
• Carefully inspect the photos posted by the seller to make sure they are not from other sites. If you are not sure, ask them to send you another photo of the item you are interested in.
• If a seller is not eager to answer your questions or seems evasive, move on.
• Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the jewelry, such as the history of the designs and when particular items were made.
• Extreme wear, chips, scratches and missing parts all lower the value of a piece. Do not buy it simply because it’s by Givenchy.
• The vintage jewelry you find in consignment shops will cost more than, for example, in thrift stores. The good news is that it is highly likely authentic. Items found at flea markets or yard sales will be considerably less expensive, but you must work harder to make sure the piece is authentic.

Is Givenchy A Good Jewelry Brand?

Givenchy is a leading manufacturer of haute couture clothing and luxury perfumes and is one of the top luxury brands owned by the LVMH Group. While its jewelry brand is not considered top level in terms of luxury, or ‘haute joiallerie,’ it has unique, elegant designs and is impeccably manufactured with high-quality, durable materials - despite being gold or silver-plated and with faux embellishments. As such, it is considered high-end fashion or costume jewelry. Because of its irresistible charm and timeless appeal, though, Givenchy jewelry has stood the test of time and is loved by women from all walks of life.

For its affordability, appealing design and timeless elegance, Givenchy is a ‘good’ brand which enjoys a strong following among collectors of all kinds.

Conclusion

We might note here that collecting vintage Givenchy jewelry, or any vintage jewelry, counts toward being kind to our planet. Buying vintage decreases the demand for new items and that means less mining, less air pollution, and fewer manufacturing byproducts.

Have a look on Etsy and on eBay to see some fabulous Givenchy creations.