Collecting Vintage Christmas Tree Pins: History & Values
There’s something undeniably magical about vintage Christmas tree pins — those sparkling little brooches, often shimmering with rhinestones arranged like twinkling lights or tiny ornaments crafted from glass or enamel.
Collectors and holiday enthusiasts treasure these miniature works of art that serve as a glittering reminder of mid-century fashion, craftsmanship, and the timeless joy of Christmas.
It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas around our house, so it’s only right that today we’ll be taking a close look at vintage Christmas tree pins.
Related: Vintage deer collectibles , Collecting vintage 1950’s Christmas decorations, vintage Christmas for sale
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History Behind Vintage Christmas Tree Pins
Corsages like the pair you see here made of beaded flowers, mini bottle brush trees, and foil leaves, served as forerunners to the Christmas pin. For many, they would have offered a more affordably priced way to get into the holiday spirit.
Since the Victorian era, women have adorned themselves with Christmas-themed holiday jewelry, including beautifully decorated Christmas tree pins.
In about the 1940’s the Christmas tree pin really began to take off and even today, of all the Christmas designs available–bells, deer, and Santa–the Christmas tree is the most popular among collectors.
Designers like Hobe, MYLU, Weiss, Jonette Jewelry (JJ), and Gerry’s are known for their Christmas tree designs. They in fact mass produced them in the middle of the 20th century, along with almost any costume jewelry firm you can think of. They all took advantage of the popularity of these pretty tree pins.
Christmas tree pins are made much like any other piece of costume jewelry. After the front of a pin is cast in metal, it’s ready for a clasp to be attached to the back. But some pins are polished to a gleam and/or handpainted with enamel and/or adorned with “jewels” like rhinestone or faux pearls.
Trees come in all shapes and sizes and colors, usually silver, gold, green, or red. If you can imagine it, there is likely a tree already in existence that looks like your “dream” tree, whether realistic, imaginative, or modern.
Below you’ll see many examples of Christmas tree pins that have passed through my hands, and they are just the tip of the iceberg!
Vintage Christmas Tree Pin Values
Christmas tree pins are typically worth $5-50 each. Simpler examples without rhinestones or other gems fall on the lower end, while those more elaborately designed with pretty faux jewel embellishments have higher values. A signature on the back of a pin always adds to its value.
I recommend staying away from pins that have lost a lot of color, have a lot of scratches, have green “gangrene”, or have bent pins. Since rhinestones can often be easily replaced, missing stones may not stop me from buying a particularly beautiful pin. [Note: I use Weldbond glue to reattach jewels.]
Believe it or not, back in the day (1940’s+) many of these pins sold for a mere dollar!
Some Christmas Tree Pin Guides for Purchase
Signed Christmas Tree Pins
Pins “signed” on the back by their designer/manufacturer are the most sought after of Christmas tree pins. Below you’ll find several, some of which have sold already and others that are currently (as of November 2025) available in my Etsy shop.
Mylu
- Mylu (1950’s-1968): A matte gold tree with multi-colored rhinestones. SOLD: $25 (2019)
- Mylu (1950’s-1968): A matte gold tree with faux pearl ornaments. SOLD: $25 (2019)
A pair of enterprising ladies, Marge Borofsky and Lynne Gordon, founded MYLU (a Christmas-only jewelry line) in the 1950’s. By 1968 they had merged with Coro, taking over their Christmas department.
Unfortunately, Coro closed in 1970, but the gals, along with Coro’s former CEO started a new jewelry company–Tancer & II, which operated until 1979.
Monet & Gerry’s
- Monet (1937-present): A green and clear rhinestone tree–nicely designed with one slightly larger green stone in the center. Monet is still in business. SOLD: $25 (2019)
- Gerry’s (1950’s-mid-1990’s): A matte gold pin with red enamel ornaments and a faux pearl star. Founded by Geraldine Giles in the early 1950s, Gerry’s Creations was known for figural and all-occasion pins, especially Christmas-themed brooches. They ceased production sometime in the mid-1990s. SOLD: $22 (2023)
Mamselle & Giovanni
- Mamselle (1962-1987): A matte gold tree with a faux pearl star. Burleigh Greenberg started the Mamselle company in 1962. It ceased operations in 1987. Value: $22-25
- Giovanni (1959-1980): A beautifully stylized, gold-tone tree, dating to the 1960’s or 70’s. “Giovanni” refers to a line of jewelry created by the Longcraft company. Founded in 1889, they are still in business in Boston under the name “Long’s Jewelry.” (Jewelry Kaleidoscope) Available (11/25): Etsy
BJ & JJ
- BJ Beatrix (1946-1983): A green enamel tree with candy cane decorations and red rhinestone star. Nat Silverman started the BJ Beatrix jewelry company (named after his sister) in 1946. Jewelry only began to be marked “BJ” or “Beatrix” in 1975.
Available (11/25): Etsy - JJ (Jonette Jewelry): A gold pin with multi-colored rhinestones. Initially this jewelry company was named Providence Jewelry Co. In 1945 the name changed and they began to use the JJ mark up until 2008 when they went out of business. Available (11/25): Etsy
Unsigned Vintage Christmas Tree Pins
It’s very hard to date Christmas tree pins, let alone attribute them to a specific jewelry company or designer without an [entirely necessary] mark on the back.
Certain designs, however, and materials give a hint at age (and sometimes manufacturer). Let’s take a look at several and see what we can intuit.
- Newer tiered rhinestone encrusted kinetic tree (moves side-to-side). Unusual design. SOLD: $27 (2025)
- Newer rhinestone encrusted pin in red, green, and clear. SOLD: $20 (2025)
- Green tree with multi-colored rhinestones. Available (11/25): Etsy
- Matte gold pin with clear rhinestones. Matte gold signals vintage 1970’s. SOLD: $19 (1923)
- Enameled tree with red rhinestone ornaments and holly leaves. Value: $20-25
- Silver and gold metal pin with green and red rhinestones. Newer design. Value: $18-22
- A shiny gold tree with a pink sash and multi-colored rhinestones. Value: $18-25
- A dark gree pin with green and red rhinestones. 1970’s green. Value: $8-12
- A small gold tree with red and green enamel decoration. Value: $10-12
- A small matte gold tree with red rhinestone star. 1970’s. Value: $10-12
- Gold pin with red bows and green garland. Available (11/25): Etsy
- Matte gold tree with red and gree plastic cabochons. Older design. Value: $18-25
- Small matte gold pin with rhinestones. 1970’s. Value: $12-15
- Small matte gold tree with rhinestone star and enamel ornaments. 1970’s. Value: $8-12
- A small silver tree with red and green ornaments. Value: $5-8
- A stylized red and green enamel tree. Value: $12-158-10
- A small green on gold pin with multi-colored rhinestone ornaments. Older design. Value: $10-12
- A gold tree covered with green, red, and clear rhinestones. Value: $20-25
- A small green enamel pin with gold ornaments. Value: $8-12
- A small matte gold tree. 1970’s. Value: $8-12
- A matte gold tree with red and green rhinestones. 1970’s. Value: $18-22
- A green enamel tree with gold ornaments and red holder. Newer design. Value: $12-15
Many Christmas tree pin collectors specialize their collections in some way: by specific designer, color, decoration type, or extra embellishment like dangles.
How to Clean & Care for Vintage Christmas Tree Brooches
This collection of costume jewelry pins came into my life with a fine layer of dust adhered to the surface of each piece. Here are some suggestions for cleaning almost any type of metal costume jewelry:
Unembellished Pieces: Those pieces that don’t contain rhinestones or other glued-on embellishments can be soaked for a minute or two in water with some mild soap and then lightly scrubbed with a soft toothbrush. Pat them dry and let them sit on a towel to completely air dry.
Embellished Pieces: Those pieces that contain decorative jewels or “pearls” must be cleaned very carefully. For the first attempt, use a dry paint brush with medium stiff bristles to brush off the dust and dirt. This may take care of the problem and you’re done.
If some dust or dirt remain, wet your fingers and use the water to lightly dampen a clean paint brush with medium stiff bristles (don’t dunk the brush in water). Lightly brush the pin wherever you see dirt that needs removing. Occasionally wipe the brush on a paper towel and redampen with your watery fingers. This should take care of the matter for you.
Only if your issues remain and you’re willing to (possibly) cause irreversible damage, should you move onto harsher solutions like jewelry cleaners, ammonia, and/or soaking.
How to Wear Vintage Christmas Tree Pins
Jewelry companies designed Christmas tree and other holiday pins for wearing on one’s outer coat. The practice has pretty much died out, but every now and again I see someone with a tree on their lapel and I know they have a vintage soul.
I reserved the stylized gold-tone tree signed “Giovanni” for myself and have been wearing it on my winter coat. I’m trying to single handedly revive the “look!” Will you join me??
The pins can also be worn or displayed in other ways:
- on the lapel of a suit coat
- pinned to a cowel neck
- on a scarf
- attached to a tote bag
- on a dress form
- in a shadow box
- framed on velvet in a tree shape
How would you wear or display your Christmas tree pin(s)?
Where to Find & Sell Christmas Tree Pins
I have had the most luck finding pretty Christmas tree pins at thrift stores and flea markets, usually in the $1 to $5 price range. I willingly spend up to $5/pin since they sell extremely well for me on Etsy. Less value examples sell well from my antique booth.
If you’re not one to look for these pretty pins out in the “wild” and prefer to do your shopping online, check out my Etsy shop where I often have them for sale, particularly close to Christmas.
What to Look for When Collecting Vintage Christmas Tree Pins
- Excellent condition: It’s generally true whenever you build a collection that you should buy the best quality that you can afford. This usually pays off years down the road–quality lasts and increases in value more quickly than lower quality pieces.
- Signed by a quality company: In general, pieces signed by the company that made them are more valuable and will continue to grow in value. Names to look for include: Haskell, Trifari, Mylu, Hollycraft, Jerry, Hobe, Weiss, Swarovski, and Monet.
- Quality manufacture & design: Look for well-made, sturdy pieces. Prong-set stones indicate higher quality and prevent loss/damage. Consider the elements of the design–is it balanced, are the colors “right,” is the shape appealing, etc. Look for strong and/or unusual designs, as opposed to your run-of-the-mill examples.
- You love it! I would never advise anyone to buy something merely because it has value (i.e., for investment purposes), but am rather adamant that you must really like (preferably love) the pieces you buy. You’re going to be living with them in one way or another, so make sure they make your heart happy.
- You’ll wear it! I’m a firm believer that jewelry shouldn’t be sitting in one’s jewelry box where no one can see or appreciate it. If (as a collector) you’ll wear it, then buy it!
Reader Christmas Tree Pins
Over the years, since I wrote this article originally in 2019, sweet readers have sent me photographs of their Christmas tree pin collections. I’d love to share them with you!
Nancy Pacitto from Michigan sent this photo of a necklace she made with her vintage Christmas tree pins. Isn’t it stunning??
She explained that through the years, when she gave lectures on the history of fashion, this was her Christmas lecture statement piece. I can certainly understand why. Thanks so much Nancy for sharing your creation with us.
Terri Austill posted this photo in our Facebook group (Your Vintage Headquarters), and group members went crazy for it! We all loved this simple idea of decorating table top trees with pins.
Rebecca Malara sent me this photo of her darling Christmas tree pin. Don’t you just love the ruffles??
Judith Andersen came up with a very clever way to display her Christmas pins by attaching them to an advent calendar. She has some beauties.
If you’re a member of my private Facebook group, [join here: Your Vintage Headquarters], you can see a fun video of a member’s Christmas tree pin collection HERE. Thanks for sharing Nancy!
Other Articles You’ll Enjoy
Final Thoughts
If you own a Christmas tree pin(s), I’d love to see it/them and then include a photograph in this post. Members of my Facebook group, Your Vintage Headquarters, can post them in the group (join now if you’re not a member yet).
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I’d love it if you’d pin for later–
What a great collection, Diana! I love your Giovanni you’re keeping for now. I have only one – the Weiss, 5 candle. It’s a beauty, bought from an upscale estate many years ago, and I still love pulling it out to wear.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
I’m a little jealous Rita–those Weiss candle pins are lovely. Wear it in good health and Merry Christmas friend!
I ADORE wearing my Christmas jewelry this time of year when I’m out and about. I love the cheap stuff I get at the after-Christmas sales, as well as the gifts I have received over the years. Unfortunately, pins are difficult to wear on light clothing during our warm days in Texas. Christmas is rarely cold enough to wear something heavy enough to support a pin. I wish I could get out more right now to allow me to hit every garage and estate sale I could find in search of these tree pins. I would love to fill up a denim vest !
You are a true vintage gal, Patty! I hope your dream of filling up a denim vest comes true soon 🙂
Diana,
I too am a lover/collector of vintage Christmas pins. I have the fortune/misfortune of living close to a medium range auction house where I can indulge in my costume jewelry, vintage item, shopping passion! You have a great eye and I enjoy your posts so much!
Hi Cathie! I’m so glad you enjoy my posts–you put a smile on my face today 🙂 Thank you and Merry Christmas–
Thanks Diana for this spotlight on the Christmas Tree pins. I love pins of all kinds. When our daughter got married I made her bouquet all out of pins from both sides of the family and those I picked up at garage sales etc.
Oooh I bet that bouquet was gorgous Terry–you have so many talents 🙂 Wishing you and your sweet family a very special Christmas!
Thank you Diana…and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family also!
Thanks for the great info on Vintage Christmas Tree pins. When I was still working as an Ob- Gyn Ultrasonographer, I would wear a seasonal pin on my lab coat. Including vintage pins when I could find them ♡♡ I now have a booth in an antique cooperative in the Rochester, NY area and when I need to work my hours will wear a pin on my sweater along with my name tag. Old habits die hard, lol !
I’m sure you get lots of compliments on your vintage pins, Betty 🙂 Thanks so much for popping in and leaving a sweet comment. Merry Christmas!
This is such a fun collection! I recognize several of those pins that you have. What a great thing to treasure.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Kristi!
Although not a Christmas tree, I have a Santa pin that I got when I was a teenager. Fifty years later, I still wear him on my coat lapel! He’s still in really great shape because he only comes out of the box in December!
Such a special pin, Cecilia! A real treasure 🙂
Diana, I was really excited when I saw the title to this post as I have a very small collection of Christmas Tree pins and have always meant to add to it and do a photo of them to use on a Christmas card. I really like the Monet green and clear rhinestone pin in your second from the top grouping. I like that it is a silver mounting. I also like the twelve o’clock pin in the next grouping. I haven’t worn any of my Christmas tree pins in forever but I think this may be the year I haul the out and pin one on my coat! Thanks for this most fun and interesting post!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Naomi and glad too that I [may have] inspired you to get them out and wear them again 🙂 Happy Christmas friend!!
I remember my great aunt having several and I guess they got away. I’m not sure if they would have been valuable, but now they would be to me.
What a lovely collection! My mom used to love these types of pins, as well. They are harder to find these days, but I may go on the search to gift her one for this coming Christmas! Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About… the party returns from the Christmas break this Tuesday, 1/7. Hope to see you there, and Happy New Year!
I must be a vintage soul although my tree pin isn’t. I love wearing a Christmas pin on my coat whether it is a tree, a Santa, or an angel. Right now I have a puffy snowman head on it; still winter here in Maine!
One warning, however, be careful with seat belt harnesses; they can bump the safety latch so the pin falls off; ask me how I learned.
My favorite pin is a double snowman with “#1 Mom” on it, Not from my kids. From a volunteer who was a recovering addict who had lost custody of her 2 kids due to her drugging/drinking. I am grateful for my kdis every time I wear it and glad she thot so highly of me! Found this post late-can you tell?
Still winter here, too, Kathy! It’s been snowing and right around 15 degrees for a couple of days. My sweet daughter had to drive home from Montreal yesterday in a snowstorm and then drive further south to get back to her college. She made it safely though!
Good advice to watch out for the seat belt and place your Christmas pins accordingly 🙂
What a poignant story about your #1 Mom pin. I hope she continued on a path to emotional health and reconciliation–
I am interested in selling my substantial collection of Christmas tree pins to someone who will treasure them. Are you interested or do you know anyone who would be?
Thank you.
Hi Linda! I’m not aware at the moment of anyone who would be interested in your collection. However, I have a YouTube video that goes into various ways you can sell your vintage and antiques if you’re not an antique dealer. You’ll find that video here: https://youtu.be/4tyZGJ1gHnA
I have lots of tree pins and also other holiday designs, like bells and snowflakes. I wear at least 1 pin everyday from Thanksgiving to January 6th. Each day when I remove my pin I put it on a cloth calendar to represent what I wore that day. It’s sort-of like a reverse Advent Calender. Instead of removing something, I add a pin. It’s so much fun. And a wonderful way to display my collection! If I could figure out how to send a picture, I would!
Oh my gosh Judith I love this idea so much and would LOVE to see a photo. Please figure it out and send me one 🙂