About Pennino Jewelry
Pennino jewelry was founded by Italian-American designers in the 1940s-1950s. The company is celebrated for exquisite gold-plated floral designs with exceptional craftsmanship. Each piece showcases detailed metalwork, three-dimensional flowers, and pave-set rhinestones that exemplify the finest in American costume jewelry.
Pennino Marks
Look for these marks to identify authentic Pennino jewelry.
Pennino
1940s-1950s — Primary mark (primary mark)
Pennino Bros.
1940s — Earliest pieces
What Makes Pennino Valuable
Several factors determine the value of Pennino jewelry.
Gold plating quality
Heavy, durable gold finish
Floral designs
Signature three-dimensional flowers
Craftsmanship
Exceptional Italian-American artistry
Rarity
Limited production run
Identifying and Evaluating Pennino
Pennino's entire production run fits into roughly two decades — the 1940s and 1950s — which is why signed pieces are far scarcer than contemporaries like Trifari or Coro that manufactured for fifty years or more. The mark itself helps date a piece: the earliest items carry a "Pennino Bros." signature, while the shorter "Pennino" stamp became the primary mark through the 1940s and 1950s. Both are typically found on the reverse of the brooch or on the earring clips.
Construction is the real tell. Pennino's signature look is a three-dimensional flower — layered petals with genuine depth, detailed metalwork on the reverse, and pave-set rhinestones as accents rather than the main event. A past listing from our own eBay store, a Pennino gold-plated flower brooch with rhinestone accents sold together with its matched earrings, is a textbook example: the floral brooch-and-earring set is the format collectors pursue most aggressively, and matched sets command a premium over a brooch alone.
When we evaluate Pennino, we start with the gold plating. The factory finish was heavy, so honest wear shows first on the edges of the petals and the high points of the design — light wear there is expected and acceptable, while plating loss down to base metal lowers the offer. We next check every rhinestone for replacements, since a single mismatched stone is easy to spot against Pennino's tight pave work. Finally, we confirm whether a brooch and earrings are a true factory match: identical flower, identical plating tone, and identical construction.
Because production was limited, even unsigned pieces with unmistakable Pennino construction — dimensional flowers, quality plating, pave accents — are worth bringing in. If you believe you have Pennino, keep any matching pieces together and let us confirm the attribution before you sell them separately.
Pennino Jewelry Examples
Examples of Pennino pieces we've authenticated and purchased.
Related Designers
We also buy jewelry from these costume jewelry designers.
Pennino Jewelry FAQ
Pennino pieces typically range from $75 to $400 depending on size, complexity, and condition. Floral brooches and matching sets command premium prices.
Look for the 'Pennino' mark stamped on the back of pieces. Many pieces feature distinctive gold-plated floral designs with detailed metalwork and pave-set rhinestones.
Most Pennino pieces are signed, though some early or smaller items may be unsigned. The quality of construction and distinctive floral motifs often help identify unsigned pieces.
Have Pennino Jewelry to Sell?
Fair offers from buyers who know Pennino's craft. We buy single pieces and entire collections.
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