Metro Phoenix Chapter: Jewels of the 1940s and 1950s with Gina D'Onofrio

Presenter: Gina D’Onofrio

This presentation will cover the evolution of jewelry design in the 1940s and 1950s, placed in historical context, nationally and internationally. We will explore the dramatic changes from WWII to the Post War ‘50s, when artistic, social, economic and political influences affected not only design, but the supply chain and fabrication of jewelry. We will look at the emerging artistic movements, fashion and how the jewels were worn. By comparing and contrasting designs from each era, attendees will have enough information to comfortably date jewelry from each time period.

Gina D’Onofrio’s extensive involvement in the jewelry industry prior to joining Heritage included working in the retail, auction and manufacturing sectors, jewelry design and production, appraisals, buying and selling of contemporary, antique and period jewelry, sales and management. She operated an independent gemological laboratory, appraisal service and consulting firm, and she even received Los Angeles Magazine’s coveted “Best in LA” award for her appraisal services. Gina also served as Gems and Jewelry Education Chair for the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and is co-instructor for their Appraisal Report Writing for Insurance Coverage course.

This event is co-hosted with the AGS Guild of Arizona.