Cohn & Rosenberger manufactures Coro silver as part of their jewelry line. The company began as an accessory boutique in 1901, but the owners were businessmen rather than craftsmen, so the jewelry was made by others. After the first two letters of each partner’s name, the company was renamed Coro in 1943. Coro silver is known for its intricate designs and rose to prominence as a costume jewelry manufacturer in the mid-twentieth century.
Many craftsmen who went on to start their own lines worked as artisans for Coro in the early years of the company. Early in their careers, Gene Verecchio, Robert Geissman, and Massa Raimond all worked on designing Coro silver. It is now difficult to distinguish each artisan’s work because the jewelry is marked with the company label rather than the artist’s initials.
The word “Coro” or the letters “CR” are often combined with a Pegasus mark to identify genuine Coro silver. Coro silver is considered a vintage item because the company is no longer in business, and it can be quite expensive depending on the age and complexity of the piece. However, Cohn & Rosenberger created jewelry lines for all budgets during its operation, so some simpler Coro silver pieces can be found for under $10 U.S. Dollars (USD). The most intricate pieces, particularly those sold under the “Vendome” label, can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 USD.
The Coro Duette is a signature piece of jewelry created by the company. This unique brooch was made up of two separate pins that could be joined together using a patented catch to form a larger brooch. Coro Duettes are easy to find online or at costume jewelry stores, and they frequently feature intricately carved Coro silver that interconnects.
The delicate floral designs are the most well-known feature of Coro silver. The Coro brand creates pins, necklaces, and bracelets that resemble dozens of flowers using colorful semiprecious stones, enamel, and glistening rhinestones. Birds, cherubs, and horses are common motifs in Coro jewelry. Corocraft produced patriotic-themed jewelry during WWII, including an American flag pin that is now a highly sought-after collector’s item.
Coro began using Lucite in the 1950s to create the popular chunky jewelry of the time. These large, gleaming pieces are eye-catching and go well with vintage or retro attire. The majority of Lucite Coro jewelry costs between $10 and $50 USD.
Natural materials like ceramic beads and natural stones became popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Coro was unable to adapt its operations to meet these rapidly changing trends, and as a result, it lost a significant amount of business in the United States. Coro stopped producing in the United States in 1979 and has since gone out of business worldwide.