CLEOPATRA'S BOUDOIR

This is an extension of my original La Tausca Pearls guide written on ebay back in 2007.

La Tausca Pearls was a trade name for high quality faux pearls used by three different companies: Maurice J. Karpeles, L. Heller & Son Inc and Martin Low & Taussig, Providence RI. This trade name was in use from around 1915 as it was first seen in a Albert Walker jewelry catalog. Then in 1956 it merged with Deltah Pearls and became Heller-Deltah. The La Tausca division was later bought by Arlan Jewelry Co.The main La Tausca store dealt in fine jewelry and was located on Fifth Avenue, New York City. 

The presentation cases were patented on April 8, 1924, July  29, 1924

A 1924 advertisement reads: La Tausca Pearls. "Searching about for a casket which would be worthy of the exquisite La Tausca strands. The artist ran across some of those studded jewel cases wherein great ladies of high European courts hid their jewelry.. Some of these very cases were cast from dies that the artist copied. Soon after his return to this country, appeared the La Tausca jewel cases. Gold and silver plate - semi precious stones-goldsmithing of the finest type-- caskets to encase the precious La Tausca's pearls in royal manner. In many Instances, the beautiful caskets housing these jewels are really worth more than the faux pearls inside. La Tausca Pearls are known all over the world for their wonderful beauty and wearing qualities They come in Gem Studded Copper, satin lined  Jewel Chests historical reproductions from the Louis XVI period-A Gift for the most fastidious-as low as $25.00"

La Tausca Pearls presentation box with green jewels

These faux pearls were advertised as indestructible and often had 14kt gold filigree clasps that were marked La Tausca. In many instances these clasps also had a little genuine diamond chip. A gilt metal medallion was attached to all of the jewelry and can sometimes be found intact. La Tausca Presentation box with amethyst jewels. The high quality faux pearls were sold in filigree & jeweled gilded stamped copper presentation boxes (jewel caskets) in the 1915-1930s. I have also had the rare opportunity to see a few boxes with both a shell cameo and jewels on the lids. These boxes were lined in ivory colored silk and had La Tausca Pearls printed in gold lettering on the inside of the lid. This is usually worn away.

Presentation box with amethyst jewels

I have seen various different shapes of these boxes from a square shape to a longer rectangular shape, also in an octagonal shape too. The colors of the jewels are emerald green, sapphire blue, garnet red, amber and/or amethyst purple glass jewels.

Presentation box with amber jewels

Presentation box with amethyst jewels

Presentation box with blue jewels

Box with amethyst jewels

The pearls were generally given as presents to a bride to be to wear on her wedding day. I have seen several advertisements for the pearls showing brides wearing them with all of their wedding finery. The pearls were also advertised as a wonderful and unusual gifts for 30th wedding anniversaries.

La Tausca won the highest award in 1915 at the Panama-Pacific Exposition and the Grand Prize for the Sesquicentennial Exposition of 1926. These awards were most likely for outstanding design or invention for their La Tausca Pearls or other costume jewelry.

La Tausca Pearl presentation boxes with shell cameo and coral cabochon jewels.

The La Tausca store in New York also sold high quality Mexican sterling silver, many pieces with turquoise and also rosaries. Presentation box with amethyst jewels. Several La Tausca advertisements are available on ebay and the internet for purchase.

Presentation box with red jewels.

I found an advertisement from the Decatur Review newspaper from 1922, describing the various La Tausca Pearl necklaces available.

"WILLIAM GUSHARD COMPANY Because of Popular Demand This Sale Will Be Continued for Two Days Lovely LaTausca Pearls ONE-HALF PRICE BECAUSE of the great demand far these beautiful La Tausca Pearls the maker's representative who is conducting the sale has decided to stay just two days and Tuesday, and has wired for more pearls, so those who come tomorrow and next day will have complete assortments to choose from. That the is popular is not surprising, for La Tausca Pearls are exact replicas of priceless gems, with the lustre and texture of of real Oriental pearls, and each necklace is presented in a satin lined case. Now they are just half price. -

• Naomi 18-inch necklaces with 10kt solid gold ring clasps.
• Portia 18-inch necklaces with diamond set white gold clasps.
• Lady Rosalind 18-inch necklaces with diamond set gold clasps.
• Puntainia 27-inch necklaces with laces with white gold clasps.
• Nora 24-inch necklaces diamond set white gold clasps.
• Norma 30-inch necklaces with diamond set white gold clasps.
• Aurore 20-inch necklaces with diamond set white gold clasps.
• Aurore 24-inch necklaces with diamond set white gold clasps.
• Mecan 30-inch necklaces with diamond set white gold clasps.
• Endless Chain Necklaces, 40 inches long..
• Chain necklaces, 50 inches long.
• Endless Chain necklaces, inches long."

Value for these boxes always fluctuates, but they generally sell within the $75-$300 range. Sometimes the lining is no longer present, this shoudn't affect the value too much.

Presentation case without jewels