Reja

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Reja

Solomon Finkelstein, founder of Reja, started his first retail jewelry company in NYC in 1939, called Deja Costume Jewelry, Inc. Du Jay, Inc. took Deja to court over tradename similarity and won in October, 1940 (Deja banned from using the name after April 1, 1941). As of January 1941, the company name change to Reja was announced, prompted (as stated in Brunialti, A Tribute to America, pg 38) that it was easy to change the "D" to an "R" on the stamped signature. Reja operated from 1941 through December 1953, when the company declared bankruptcy.

Deja jewelry is characterized by enamel figurals, usually over potmetal. Marks used by Deja include Deja, Deja Original and Deja Reg.

Reja jewelry is extremely high quality, and the company released a number of collections, among which are the Africana series and the Gardenesque series. Both included wonderful figurals of enamel on sterling, offset by colorful rhinestones, moonstones and pave clears. There was an entire series of enamel fruits, nuts and vegetables, some on potmetal and others on sterling. Reja had a number of pieces with pale blue or rose pink moonstone cabs. Marks used by Reja include Reja Reg., Reja, and finally Reja Inc. Some pieces are also marked Sterling.

Album by Cathy Gordon. Photos by Cathy Gordon. 1 - 59 of 59 Total. 13848 Visits.

Sign the Guestbook. Displaying 5 of 22 entries.

I recently acquired a brooch marked Reja. The brooch is goldtone set in tiny rhinestones. Their are two goldtone pinecones hanging from pine branches. Any information you can give me about the date and value of brooch would be greatly appreciated. Three tiny stones missing.
I want to sell this.
- Candy Carle, Wed, 13 May 2009 1:19PM

Hi Cathy , It's been a long time ! Still think you have the best jewelry site . I wrote a few years ago about some Reja pieces that were gifted to me [ Nubian Queen , for one ] I don't know if you are still buying , but if you email me , I may have some Reja that may interest you , including original castings . I hope to hear from you . Thanks for much joy , & best wishes , Helene Marker aka beadfairy
- Helene, Mon, 13 Oct 2008 5:19PM

I was given a DEJA floral brooch that has 3 white & gold flowers with pink centers, it has lots of rhinestones, but it is missing 3 rhinestones and some of the enamel. I can't find a similar one on the internet, is it worth anything? How do I find out information? Thanks
- Chris, Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:29PM

Wonderful collection of Reja jewelry. Any for sale? Thanks.
- Donna Frankel, Wed, 23 Apr 2008 5:43PM

Great display and thanks for sharing them with us. Chip
- Chip, Fri, 22 Feb 2008 3:33PM

More guestbook entries...

1 Reja Africana ad from 1946. From top to bottom: Ubangi, Witch Doctor, Nubian Head (missing Congo Belle).	2 Reja Africana series. There were additional pieces. All are enamel on goldwashed sterling. Top is Africana Ubangi earrings with fur clip underneath. On left is Africana Witch Doctor and on the right is Africana Congo Belle.	3 Africana Congo Belle 1946. Sterling covered with gold wash, enamel and rhinestones.	4 Africana Ubangi 1946. Sterling with gold wash, moonstones, silver wings, enamel, rhinestones.
5 Reja Africana Nubian Head 1946 Extremely hard to find Nubian Head from the Africana series done by Reja in 1946. Enamel over goldwashed sterling.	6 Reja Balinese Masks, 1945. The Queen is on the left, King on the right. These fur clips are goldwashed sterling with enamel and interesting colored rhinestones. The stones in the crowns came in a variety of colors.	7 Reja Medusa pin and earrings from 1946. Wonderful enamel over goldwashed sterling with pave set rhinestones for hair. You will also see this set with gold faces.	8 Reja Mandarin Chinese pin and earrings 1946 Goldwash over sterling.
9 Reja Punchinello, 1946. Demonic looking clown fur clip of goldwashed sterling, enamel and red rhinestone eyes.	10 Two Reja jesters. Goldwashed sterling, enamel and rhinestones.	11 Deja Indian Mask, 1939-40. Goldwashed sterling with baguette rhinestones in his turban.	12 Reja archer. Goldwashed sterling.
13 Reja Jack-in-the-Box pin and earrings from 1947. Goldwashed sterling and red , clear rhinestones.	14 Jack-in-the-Box ad from 8/15/1946.	15 Reja Hobby Horse, 1946. Goldwashed sterling, pave crystals and the rose pink glass cabs used in many Reja pieces.	16 Reja pins and bracelet showing the moonstone cabs. All goldwashed sterling. The bottom pin and bracelet show an atomic theme.
17 Reja Gardenesque ad from 1947.	18 Reja Gardenesque series showing the variety of pins that were available. There are others that I haven't managed to collect, including a willow tree. Earrings are very hard to find. The pieces came in sterling without the goldwash or goldwashed. The pins and earrings in the bottom row may not be from Gardenesque, but have similar vases.	19 Gardenesque vase, 1947 in black enamel.	20 Gardenesque vase, 1947 in cream enamel.
21 Gardenesque vase, 1947 with an oriental feel.	22 Gardenesque vase, 1947 in silver with enameled flowers.	23 Reja willow tree pin from the Gardenesque series produced in 1947. Gold wash over sterling with tiny rhinestone leaves and a base of glass moonstone cabs and pink rhinestones. This is only the 3rd time I have seen this pin.	24 Reja hand, 1949-1950. Sterling with goldwash.
25 Reja peanuts. Potmetal and enamel.	26 Reja pineapple.	27 Reja strawberries.	28 Reja peas in a pod.
29 Reja radishes.	30 Reja green and red peppers.	31 Reja scallions.	32 Reja tomato.
33 Deja enamel flowers on potmetal plus one Reja.	34 Deja blue and white flowers pin.	35 Deja flower basket.	36 Deja poppies?
37 Deja dogwood.	38 Reja sunflower.	39 Deja white daisy.	40 Deja yellow flowers.
41 Large Deja enameled flower bouquet.	42 Deja tussy mussy (acts as a flower vase).	43 Back of the tussy mussy.	44 Inside view showing area for the flowers (or whatever). It holds water.
45 Deja pave leaf fur clips.	46 Reja feather pin with large unfoiled amethyst glass stone.	47 Reja sunflower. Goldwashed sterling.	48 Reja sterling bow with large unfoiled aqua glass stone.
49 Reja big bird with a Deco look. Pin is over 4" long.	50 Reja curled fish. Goldwashed sterling.	51 Reja walking fish. Looks like it crawled out of the primordial soup! Goldwashed sterling.	52 Reja enameled bird with pearl encrusted belly.
53 Reja enameled fish with pearls on his tail.	54 Reja enameled sailfish.	55 Reja gazelle, 1943. A wonderful goldwashed sterling gazelle with a Deco look.	56 For Valentine's Day. A Reja heart in goldwashed sterling.
57 Reja floral pin with large red glass stones and enamel stem and leaves.	58 Reja goldwashed sterling strawberries pin.	59 Rare carrots pin Reja Pot metal, enamel and rhinestones.

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