May 15, 2023—Most of the big names in costume jewelry marketed designs made from sterling silver during World War II. But who did it with the most elegance and creativity? Several companies come to mind, but the one that stands out the most is Hobé Cie Ltd. Rather than blending in with the era’s other cast-sterling designs, Hobé pieces have a unique look setting them apart from the rest. Patented Hobé Sterling Designs Police protection for Hobe Sound is provided by the Martin County Sheriff's Department. The Martin County Fire Rescue Department provides modern fire, rescue, as well as EMS Services. State-of-the-art inter-facility EMS services are also provided by the Martin Health System. These sterling items are broken down into two categories, with just a few exceptions. The more plentiful designs feature ribbons, bows, rosettes, and leaves, all hand-formed using sterling silver. However, vintage jewelry enthusiasts love even more the other pieces made with delicate wirework in the shape of hearts and crowns and holding a bevy of colored stones. These designs are so lovely that magazine ads denoting them as “Jewels of Legendary Splendor” don’t seem like much of an overstatement. Many of them look like antique jewelry designs worn decades before these were produced, and they’re certainly legendary to collectors who fervently seek them. Moving into the 1950s and beyond, the styles of Hobé jewelry changed to appeal to a broader range of modern consumers. The business no longer marketed a distinct look of jewelry but rather branched out to include styles made to complement fashions of the day using a wide variety of materials including beaded designs. A number of different manufacturers produced jewelry with Hobé branding during this era in the company’s history including DeLizza & Elster, makers of “Juliana” jewelry.

However, the styles marketed by actual costume jewelry companies in the 1940s don’t usually contain lesser-value gemstones unless you’re looking at Hobé. Albeit occasionally, Hobé incorporated genuine amethysts, moonstones, and other natural materials like lapis into its varied styles, so it’s worth taking a second look at the pieces in your collection. More often, however, the company used unfoiled glass stones colored to emulate semi-precious gems to embellish its sterling adornments.As of the 2020 U.S. census, there were 13,163 people, 6,079 households, and 3,397 families residing in the CDP. Pamela Siegel is a freelance writer and author who has been educating collectors for more than two decades. In addition to three books on topics relating to antiques and collectibles, she frequently shares her expertise through online writing and articles for print-based publications. Pamela is also the co-founder of Costume Jewelry Collectors Int’l (CJCI) and the proprietor of Chic Antiques by Pamela. In 1924, the building which soon would become the new schoolhouse in Hobe Sound was constructed. The Martin County Board of Public Instruction secured the use of the new school building from the Picture City Corporation in 1925, and in October of that year, the Olympia School opened. The school was designated the "Picture City School" of Martin County. It remained in use as a school until 1962. Fournier, Ron (March 14, 1997). "Clinton hurts right knee in fall at golfer Greg Norman's home". Associated Press . Retrieved May 25, 2021.

In advertising, Hobé designs were referenced as “Jewels of Legendary Splendor” in the 1930s and ‘40s and with good reason. While most of the stones used were made of unfoiled glass simulating gemstones, some pieces incorporated genuine semi-precious stones. The settings crafted of plated base metals or sterling silver, were created using intricate wirework filigree and braided chain work imparting fine jewelry appeal. The sterling jewelry prototypes were created by William Hobé and then the lines were crafted by Ralph DeMassa in Providence, Rhode Island with the Hobé mark. Many jewelry fans don’t realize that the New York-based Hobé Cie Ltd. designed, patented, and marketed jewelry. However, for the adornments’ actual production based on William Hobé’s prototypes, other jewelry manufacturing businesses made them. These makers include factories in Providence, Rhode Island, where companies produced many of the best 1940s costume jewelry items. Embellishments and Stones Used in Hobé Sterling Jewelry Worthington Scranton, businessman, lawyer, and philanthropist, and member of the prominent Scranton family US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011 . Retrieved April 23, 2011. William Hobé, who was also a goldsmith and had worked as a costume designer in Germany before coming to America, was commissioned to provide costumes and jewelry for Flo Ziegfield on Broadway in the 1920s. While others have been credited for coining the phrase, Ziegfield may have very well been the first to use the term “costume jewelry” according to Hobé family lore. This opened the door to other theater and film work and as the popularity of Hobé’s jewelry grew. Many stars were fans of these baubles including Carole Lombard, and Ava Gardner also appeared on the cover of Photoplay in 1948 wearing Hobé creations. Marilyn Monroe is known to have owned Hobé rhinestone jewelry as well.The costume jewelry business in the 1940s was no doubt a male-dominated industry. However, there were many industrious women working behind the scenes to make the companies we know and love successful. Sylvia Hobé was one of those ladies. Since gold-colored jewelry was popular during the 1940s, manufacturers of Hobé designs used gold wash or gold-filled techniques to give some sterling pieces a yellow-gold finish. When gold-filled elements are present, the marks on these pieces read “sterling” and “1/20 14K.” An entire piece could be washed with gold, but the company achieved the look of mixed metals for some items by including gold leaves or florets, among other silver components.