talkingfashion of today: Vintage Jewelry made in Germany
Germany has a long and rich history of jewellery making, primarily centred around the town of Pforzheim. Located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Pforzheim's thriving jewellery and watchmaking industry has earned the town its nickname "Goldstadt" or Golden City.
The tradition harks back to 1767 when the town's overlord set up a watch and jewellery factory in the local orphanage. Today, Pforzheim is home to the world's only museum devoted to the history of jewellery with exhibits that span over 5,000 years, as well as the internationally renowned School of Design and the Institute of Jewellery Technology at Pforzheim University. (source: thejewelleryeditor.com)
The marking, "Germany" indicates the piece was made before World War II because afterward, it would have been marked, first "western Zone Germany, American Zone Germany, etc., and after that, "Western Germany, West Germany, etc. If it's marked "Germany" is pre-World War II. In 1946 or '47, when Germany was split, items made in either West or East Germany were marked "West Germany" or "German Democratic Republic" (that was East Germany, which was neither democratic nor a republic). Items simply marked "Germany" I would say are almost certain to be pre-WWII (unless they are new, of course, after the reunification). (source: collectiblejewels.com)
There are multiple marks used for vintage jewelry made in Germany.
Illusion Jewels, which is a great resourceful website for jewelry collectors; shows us some of these marks as you can see here:
Although most jewelry marked "Germany" has manufactured pre-World War II, you can find some new creations from after West and East Germany reunited in 1989, like this one here: https://talkingfashion.myshopify.com/products/silver-chain-necklace-vintage-jewelry-made-in-germany?variant=31127286980
