It Was In Everyone's Jewelry Box In The '50s — Now It's A Valuable Thrift Store Decor Find

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Though some thrift store jewelry finds might seem a bit gaudy and tacky, certain bits and baubles could be worth a pretty penny. Among these highly-coveted and valuable thrift store finds are jelly belly brooches. Not to be confused with the confectionary brand of the same name, these jelly bellies refer to a type of costume jewelry and brooch design that were created in the 1940s but were in-demand and found in jewelry boxes throughout the 1950s. Designed to be affordable and accessible during an era where precious metals and stones were scarce and limited, jelly belly brooches can now be appraised and sold for a couple hundred, if not thousands, of dollars. 

Originally created in the 1930s by jewelry brand Trifari, jelly belly brooches were nicknamed based on their appearance. Initially referred to as "clear belly" pieces, this jewelry design style features a rounded, clear Lucite center that is framed and encased by metal. The metal frame was typically shaped into an animal or insect, and further accessorized by gemstones, enamel paint, or metal finishes. Jelly belly trinkets provided glitz and glam on a budget since the center and eye-catching part of the piece was made with Lucite, which is a type of plastic, instead of precious gemstones and rock crystals.

While brooches are commonly used as functional fashion accessories, they can also be repurposed into home decor. Arrange collections of brooches in a shadow box frame or a plain photo frame to create unique, bedazzled wall art. Alternatively, you can pin a selection of brooches to a lampshade or cushion to add a bit of pizazz to your light fixtures and seating options.

This particular style of jewelry has been reproduced by many companies throughout the years, so it may be difficult to find one that has any real value. To cash in on a collectible piece, keep an eye out for jelly belly brooches created by jewelry brands Trifari or Coro. These particular small thrift store finds are more valuable than you think. As the original creator of jelly belly brooches, legitimate Trifaris can be worth up to thousands of dollars. These can be identified by looking for specific markings on each item. Any genuine Trifari from the late 1930s onward can be distinguished by finding the Trifari brand name with a crown above the letter "T" engraved on the piece. Key Trifari items to keep a lookout for on your next thrift shopping spree are the Enamel Poodle Brooch, which can sell for $3500, or the Sterling Pave Lucite Jelly Belly Penguin Pin, which is listed on eBay for $1245.  

Authentic Coro clear belly brooches are also valuable vintage trinkets you should always look for at thrift stores and estate sales. While Coro brooches are not as costly as their Trifari counterparts, they can still sell for quite a chunk of change. A genuine Coro Jelly Belly Mallard Brooch can be sold for nearly $400, while a set of Coro Craft Sterling Jelly Belly Bunny Rabbit Brooches are listed for $1250. To identify an original Coro, look for iterations of the brand name engraved in thick script on the brooch. These iterations include "Coro," "CoroCraft Sterling," or "Coro Sterling."