Rare "Duane" Necklace/Choker and Earrings Demi in Original Presentation Case!!

Comes with Original Advertising Card Featuring 1940's-50's Film Starlet Marie McDonald!

Now here is something you don't see everyday.  This is a fantastic and ornate Demi by Duane Jewels, one of the more obscure jewelry makers of the 1950's and 60's.  I stumbled across this little gem in a collectibles store here in Iowa, and it's been a wonderful addition to the "Discerning Blonde" collection of vintage jewels.

There is very little known about Duane Jewelry.  The short lived company was most likely created in the late 1940's judging by the use of an endorsement by "Marie McDonald.  From what I've been able to glean through books, Duane Jewels generally marketed their jewelry toward a younger crowd by using the endorsements of up and coming newer movie starlets and celebrities, as verified by this set here.  As I learn more about this company, I will be adding a section into the "Research Archive" section of this website. 

This particular Demi was marketed using "glamorous" Marie McDonald, a troubled singer and movie starlet who lead a rather scandalous life (which included 7 marriages and a faked kidnapping!) and who died rather tragically by committing suicide via drug overdose in 1965.  Known in Hollywood by the rather risqué nickname "The Body", you can read more about her from Wikipedia by following this link:  Marie McDonald .  There are also many other websites dedicated to this once well known frontwoman for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra online if you do a standard Google search.  Believe me...this woman had a very wild life and she's well worth the read if you wish to look up a bit more about her!  Another interesting item of note about Marie McDonald was that she once had a rather intense affair with Notorious Las Vegas Mobster Bugsy Siegel.

This necklace is a silver tone metal beauty using 11 molded links of rhodium plate rectangles centered with rose colored baguettes and accented with six clear chatons surrounding the outside of each link.  Each individual link measures 1" in height and 1/2" wide with an extension chain of 4 1/2" making the length of this necklace 15 1/2 inches total--choker length.

The earrings are exact replicas of the links in the choker/necklace.  Each earrings measures 1" tall x 1/2" wide, and use a screw back mechanism to attach to the earlobe.

Condition:  I question whether or not these have ever been worn, so I deem them to be in Excellent Condition (near Mint).  All stones are present, and the metal is as shiny as it can possibly be.  I see virtually no scratching to the finish at all.  The original presentation case is with this set, but the plastic cover which goes over the top was missing when I purchased the set.  I believe that this set is a very sound investment piece and that it would be an exceptional addition to any Vintage Jewelry collection.

Price:  $190

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(Note:  We don't have a lot of "wiggle" room with this great Demi though, so be realistic with your offers please!)