Vintage Jewelry Mall

Who is Avon?

Dates of Operation- 1971 - today (company began in 1886)

Design Characteristics - Sold through network Catalogues - Moderately Priced, but good quality - New Jewelry techniques - no real signature look, although they had a trend towards flower designs and filigree back settings, and a use of marcasites as accents

History of the Avon Company - In 1886 a salesman named David McConnell founded the California Perfume Company. The company only had five lines for sale. He was later joined by Mrs. Persis Albee. They were strong believers in the direct door to door method of marketing their product. Persis became the company's first "traveling sales lady" and soon doorbells across America could be heard along with the words "Avon Calling." By 1928, their products were being sold with the Avon name, still through the direct marketing method. The name of the company was officially changed in 1939 to Avon Products, Inc. The following years showed a huge increase in sales, but the products were still beauty product based.

In 1971, Avon began offering jewelry in their product lines and this trend continues through today. From 1980 to 1984, Avon owned Tiffany & Co. Avon jewelry is now sold in a variety of ways, including the internet, but most of their business still comes from direct sales.

The Avon jewelry line now includes designs by several well known designers, such as Kenneth Jay Lane, (brooch shown above) Elizabeth Taylor, (earrings shown to the left) Barrera, Coreen Simpson, Celia Sebiri, etc. These designs are always marked as "name of designer, for Avon."

The Avon jewelry line included a wide range of styles such as watches, earrings, brooches, bracelets and necklaces. They also regularly feature a line of holiday themed jewelry, children's jewelry and fun jewelry. Some of their numbered Christmas tree pins are quite collectible.

Value of the pieces today - Only purchase Avon designs in mint condition.

Avon jewelry is readily available and not particularly valuable, but is interesting to those who collect Avon Memorabilia. Only purchase pieces in excellent condition, in original boxes, if possible. Prices most likely to increase in value are those by the noted designers such as KJL, Elizabeth Taylor, etc.

Design Mark - There have been various marks used for Avon jewelry.

I try to offer accurate vintage jewelry information, but may make errors from time to time due to mistakes in research information.

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