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R.F. Simmons
Company, Attleboro, MA. "Founded in 1873 by Robert Fitz Simmons,
a chaser who conducted a small shop. Simmons struck up a friendship
with Joseph Lyman Sweet who used to drive grain from the Sweet farm
in West Mansfield to Attleboro's town sales near Simmons' shop.
Simmons would tease Sweet about being a "rube" and from this banter
grew a warm frienship which led simmons to invite the younger man
to learn the jewelry business."
"In 1875 Sweet, Simmons and Edgar L. Hixon formed a partnership each investing $2,500 in the new business. In 1887 the organization had grown from 8 or 10 employees to more than 200 with offices in New York and Agents in Rio de Janiero, Bueinos Aires, Montevideo, Berlin, Barcelona and Sydney. Simmons' best known product was it's watch chains but other items were soon added to its line included chatelaine pins, eye glass chains, fobs and bracelets. It was around Simmons' 40th anniversary that it laid claim to numerous "firsts" in the industry, among them: First house to issue a chain catalogue - 1881; first to stamp goods with the manufacturer's initials for identification; first to adopt the definite and responsible guarantee of satisfaction to the wearer - 1880s; first to use a safety fastener in connection with chains and fobs in the early 1890s; first to produce a practical lock bracelet - the Marlow in 1899, etc. etc. (See Dorothy T. Rainwater's "American Jewelry Manufacturer's" for more info on Simmons.) R.F. Simmons Company was still active in 1952. Other simmons marks used: Armilla, Betsy Ross, Brenda, Floradora, Slident, Stubby, Tyton, Venetian, Victorian, R.F.S. & Co., R.F.S. Co., and Simmons' Chains. Simmons R F Co 508-222-6655 35 County St Attleboro MA 02703.
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Click on the small pic to see the item enlarged...
Simmons Aqua Rhinestone and Goldfilled Screwback earrings. Still has the original tag and they are attached to the original card, however the box is missing. These are gorgeous earrings with marquise shaped aqua blue rhinestones set in between the gf setting. These flower screwbacks measure 3/4" in diameter and are in excellent condition. c late 40's early 1950's.
ES200 Price: $28.00
Simmons Art Nouveau Watch Pin. This is a gorgeous piece with a very flowing Nouveau design. There is a hook on the back for the watch and an older spring type clasp. The pin measures 7/8" in diameter. Very good condition. Slight bend to the pin arm --- the only flaw. Marked Simmons on the back hook and also RFS Co on the spring clasp.
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PS790 Price: $42.00
1940's Simmons GF Cuff Bracelet. This bracelet has been tampered with and changed. I'm selling this AT COST because I believe it is still wearable but not collectible. It's an open worked gold filled bracelet that had flowers on the front. Someone GLUED beads into the center of the three flowers and GLUED a golden glass butterfly on each side of the flowers. Simmons did not use glue on their jewelry. Maybe someone tried to save this? I don't know. But I was very upset when I saw the changes. I had won this at auction and not had the opportunity to see it close up. The bracelet itself is in excellent condition and the flowers that are original to the piece are riveted on as they would be during the 40's. The changes might not bother you because the bracelet is wearable and still attractive. The bracelet is open backed and measures 2-1/2" across the parameter.
SEE SIDE VIEW
SEE SIDE VIEW
BS213 Price: $15.00
Simmons Betsy Ross Black Enamel Hinged Bangle Bracelet. c 1930's. Goldfilled rope design on both sides with enameling around the edges and on the design near the hinge and near the clasp. There is a safety chain. There is slight enamel loss around the band as you can see in the scan. It also looks like where the hinge is the gold plaque with enameling has been glued? And you can see enamel loss here as well. I consider this to be in good condition - very wearable - not perfect. Measures 2-1/4" across the parameter. 1/2" wide. Victorian in style. Marked Simmons Betsy Ross on the inside. Most likely goldfilled - not marked. These bracelets sell for over $100 when in excellent condition. Price reflects.
SEE CLOSEUP
SEE SIDE VIEW
SEE SIDE VIEW
BS180 Price: $37.00
Simmons Victorian Red Glass GF Bracelet. This is one of the earliest pieces of Simmons I've come across. The bracelet is comprised of round rings and links that connect to each other with three fabulous links that have bezel set faux garnet stones (red glass) with a detailed floral design around each. These three links measures 5/8" wide. The stones show wear due to the age of this piece. The bracelet measures 7-1/2" long with a foldover clasp. Excellent condition other than wear to the stones.
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BS089 Price: $64.00
Simmons 1940's? Goldfilled Bracelet with imitation emeralds. Simmons jewelry has always been in my Top 5 Designer List. This piece is a prime example. However, I'm not sure if this is 1940's or earlier. Three gorgeous golden flowers with bezel and open-backed set faceted green stones. Measures to 7-1/2" and is in excellent condition. A real BEAUTY!
BS083 Price: $52.00
Simmons goldfilled, hinged, bangle bracelet with center imitation Emerald. Another beauty! This measures on the inside about 2-1/2" across. Unique side hinge. The center stone is oval shaped and faceted green glass. c 1940s. Excellent condition. The gold is not as yellow as the scan shows.
BACK VIEW - CLICK HERE.
BS084 Price: $51.00
Simmons Blue Stone Slave Bracelet. These "slave" bracelets were popular in the mid-1920's due to the Egyptian influence and again revived in the 1940's during the 'retro' period. Five bezel set blue stones - two of which have slight chips that can be seen with a loupe. Foldover clasp. Gold content not marked, so I'm selling this as gold filled. Measures 7-1/8". Very good condition.
BS079 Price: $28.00
Vintage Simmons Leather Bracelet and Screwback Earrings in Original Box. The box top is leather too. The pattern looks like snakeskin and each one is a different color. The setting is goldfilled as is most of Simmons jewelry from the 1940's and 50's. This is c 1940s. This has never been worn. The bracelet measures 6-1/2" x 3/4". The earrings hang down 1-3/4.
CLOSE-UP OF EARRINGS
CLOSE-UP
BOX
 S480 Price: $37.00
Simmons Crystal Choker and Earrings with Gold Spacers. This is an awesome set... the crystals are multi-faceted, with 14kt gf gold spacers in between and strung on chain. The matching earrings are screwbacks and hang down about 2". The choker measures 15-3/4" and the crystals are graduated in size. Marked Simmons on all pieces. c 1930's. Excellent condition.
CLOSE-UP OF EARRINGS
CLOSE-UP OF CRYSTALS
S297 Price: $82.00
Simmons Vintage Lavalier and Bracelet Set. The stones are ruby in color, square table cut with clawed bezels and are set in every other link on the bracelet. Simmons didn't mark the content of the gold...both pieces are just signed Simmons. The Lavalier has a cultured pearl dangling beneath the deco design. The bracelet measures 7-1/2" x 3/8", has a foldover clasp and six stones. The Lavalier hangs from an 18" chain (also marked Simmons and original to the piece). The Lavalier itself measures 1-1/2" from top to bottom and is 1/2" at it's widest point. This set is in excellent condition. Very beautiful!
CLOSE-UP OF PENDANT
CLOSE-UP OF BRACELET
S295 Price: $73.00
Simmons Egyptian Revival
Goldstone Scarab Choker, Bracelet and Earrings. The choker measures
14-1/2" but could easily be extended; though the style of this is to
be worn high on the neck. There are goldfilled ribbon motif plaques
in between the bezel set scarabs. The bracelet has a foldover clasp
and a safety chain and measures about 7". The earrings are screwbacks
and drop down 1". The pieces are all marked and they are in excellent
condition. There is slight dulling and wear to the underside that sits
agains the body on both the bracelet and the choker. The front is shiny
as if new! Beautiful set... and a hard find. Here is a closeup.
S211 Price: $100.00
1960's Simmons 12ktgf Bead Choker strung on chain. There are shiny goldfilled beads and textured goldfilled beads measuring 8mm. The choker measures 16". Signed Simmons. Excellent condition.
CLOSE-UP
NS501 Price: $42.00
Vintage Simmons Glass Moonstone Choker. This is probably late 40's early 1950's. There are 4 small bezel set round soft blue moonstones and one large oval in the center. The choker measures 16". Simmons is marked on the clasp. This is in excellent condition. Really pretty too!
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NS489 Price: $52.00
Old Simmons Lavaliere with Square Cut Ruby Colored Stone. Not sure if it is a real ruby. Victorian design with black enameling and fancy scrollwork. The stone is set in a bezel open backed. Measures 1-1/2" without the bail. The chain is a Simmons chain that measures 18". Excellent condition.
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CLOSE-UP OF CLASP
CLOSE-UP OF BACK
NS473 Price: $64.00
Simmons 1940's Pink and Clear Rhinestone Necklace. A lovely example of 1940's goldfilled jewelry with three pink marquis shaped rhinestones with 4 clear rhinestones around them. There is a clear tear shaped rhinestone drop that dangles on the end. Original Simmons chain that measures 18". The pendant part measures 1-1/2" with the drop and 1" wide. Excellent condition. CLOSE-UP
NS284 Price: $34.00
Simmons Black Crystal and GF spacer choker strung on chain. c1940's. Upon close inspection I noticed one spacer missing and some of the spacers are dull. This item needs a cleaning (referring to the spacers) to be considered excellent condition - I'm selling as is - uncleaned. Measures 16" with a safety catch. Beads are faceted cone shaped. CLOSE-UP
NS271 Price: $28.00
Simmons Goldfilled Cut Crystal Choker c. 1940's. Measures to 16-1/2". Excellent condition. Signed on hook. 12kgf and simmons. Here's a closeup of this beauty!
NS139 Price: $65.00
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