HOBE JEWELRY
Hobe et Cie was founded in Paris in 1887 by Jacques Hobe. His concept was to use fine jewelry techniques and non-precious materials to create jewelry for the middle class as well as for the wealthy. 

Brought to America in 1915 by his son William, Hobe jewelry was popular not only with everyday customers, but also with the Hollywood stars and such luminaries as Flo Ziegfield. Inspired by period jewelry of the past, Hobe jewelry had an historic flavor.

James Hobe, grandson of William Hobe, ran the company until about the year 2000, when it was sold. The new owner is currently producing jewelry with the Hobe mark, but it is very different in style. 

All the jewelry shown in this article is courtesy of Jane Clarke, Bobye Syverson, Marilyn Ostrow and Kim Edgar.

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HOBE unsigned bracelets in the same citrine and pink colors in three different styles.
 
 

    HOBE green, pink and clear rhinestones jewelry.
Earrings are unsigned clip backs, 1-1/8".
HOBE green, pink and clear rhinestones bracelet, 7" long with 2-1/8" front, circa 1948. Shown in Brunialti's "A Tribute to America" on page 35.   View   View   View   #H22680 

    HOBE unsigned bracelet in pink, citrine and clear rhinestones, circa 1948, 7" by 3/4". Seen in Christie Romero's "Warman's Jewelry, 3rd Ed, page 190.)   View   View    View    View   #O13766

HOBE PARURE of pink, pale green and clear rhinestones.   View    View    View    View    View    View    View   #O13958

  HOBE 2-5/8" brooch in pink, green and clear rhinestones surrounding the center elephant figure.   View    #O16249 

    HOBE unsigned 17" festoon necklace of pink, citrine and clear rhinestones with detachable brooch.  #O13958

      HOBE lavender, yellow, blue, pink and clear rhinestone bracelet, 6-5/8" by 1-1/4".   View   #O22887 

HOBE bracelets.
Seen in Christie Romero's "Warman's Jewelry, 3rd Ed" page 190.

    HOBE  bracelet with green, clear and blue rhinestones,  circa 1940, 6-3/4" by 2-1/4".   View   View   View   #O22968  

  HOBE style but unsigned bracelet of aquamarines and rubies, circa 1940, 7" by 1-1/3". Hinged between each link for easy wearing, and decorated with tiny gold filigree leaves and flowers. Seen in Christie Romero's "Warman's Jewelry, 3rd Ed, page 190.)    View   View   View    #H8773

    HOBE brooch in gold tone and pastel rhinestones, 3-1/3" by 2".   View    View    View   #O11484

HOBE  citrine, pink & clear rhinestone 1-3/4" brooch, circa 1948.    View   #O19657

 HOBE purple glass cabochons and clear rhinestones brooch circa 1940.    View    View   #O13380

    HOBE  unsigned red, clear and blue rhinestone bracelet, circa 1940, 7" by 3/4". Seen in Christie Romero's "Warman's Jewelry, 3rd Ed, page 190.)  View    View    #H14969

   HOBE unsigned red clear and blue earrings, circa 1940, 1-1/2".  View #H20229

HOBE  A very interesting piece with a genuine amethyst center stone. According to it's owner, Marilyn Ostrow, " I'm not sure it originated as a pin, I think it might have been a purse clasp."

HOBE unsigned compact 2-1/4" by 3-1/4".  View   View  #H16397

 HOBE  Another ornament, 5-1/2" by 3", with hooks on back. This too might have been for a purse.  Back

HOBE Pastel Filigree necklace.  Notice the hook detail on the back of the filigree necklace which allows it to be detached. Also shown is the back of a locket, with bars that allow it to slide onto a ribbon.

 HOBE The back of this set shows the fine detail work of older Hobe, with a pin/pendant swivel hook that swings down out of sight.

HOBE did use a number of genuine stones in their early jewelry.

HOBE Jewels Ad  
HOBE advertisement, circa 1948.

 HOBE hand made in their entirety, gold and sterling.
10 E. 49 Street, New York

HOBE
Photoplay Magazine
"Introducing Jewels by Hobe"
worn by Ava Gardner

   HOBE sterling brooch with rose faux star sapphire cabochon center, 2-1/8" by 1-1/2".   View   #O23208

      HOBE 1940's sterling and moonstone floral bouquet brooch, 4-1/4" by 2".   View   View   #O19440

   HOBE unsigned aqua and clear rhinestone earrings, 1-1/4".   View   #O21847

 
Kimberlee Edgar, a long-time Hobe collector, says, "My Mother and Grandmother got me started in jewelry. My Grandmother loved jewels and so does my mother. My Mom is a dealer and I have been drug around since a very early age to flea markets, estate sales and anywhere else my mom could go to find treasures. I always loved the sparkle. You should see my moms collection." She also loves Kenneth Jay Lane, Eisenberg and lots of the other "greats".
 

        HOBE portrait jewelry box

Closer view of HOBE portrait.

HOBE jewelry box

    HOBE man on a horse brooch.

PURSE frame of Hobe crystals with a black body.

HOBE Asian woman brooch.

    HOBE figural brooches.

  HOBE clips. On the left is a trembler, and on the right is a bird in a cage clip, both displayed on a vintage ribbon card.

HOBE artificial pearls and portrait necklace

    HOBE bracelets and earrings.

HOBE clip collection.

HOBE display.