Judith Hendler worked as an art director for Neutrogena and in the commercial art space before creating her first piece of costume jewelry. She met her future husband, Herb Ritts, while working for Neutrogena and designed acrylic home accessories for his furniture business. While preparing for an art show in 1983, she decided to use some acrylic scraps from the Ritts studio to make a necklace. That piece garnered more attention than Hender’s art entries in the show. She decided to shift her focus to jewelry at that time, and Acri-Gems was born. 

After being rejected by New York retailers, Hendler got her big break back home in California. She was wearing one of her designs in a fabric shop where she ran into a gentleman who noticed her necklace. She learned from the shopkeeper the gentleman she had been chatting with was Nolan Miller, costume designer for "Dynasty." She followed him out to the parking lot and set a date to show her samples at the ABC studio. Actress Joan Collins fell in love with Hendler’s Acri-Gems during that meeting. She insisted that pieces be purchased for her character on the show.

Other television programs prominently featuring Hendler jewelry during the 1980s were Hotel, Knot’s Landing, and the soap opera Days of Our Lives. Many fashion magazines, including Elle, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar also featured her jewelry. Acri-Gems were sold by major department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, as Hendler’s work gained more recognition. 

Hendler revived many of her designs and added new collections to her repertoire in the 2010s. She also created a men's line of jewelry during this period. Today she still designs jewelry and participates in art shows. She sponsors the JH Fashion Design Awards recognizing upcoming jewelry designers. 

What is the Value of your Judith Hendler Jewelry? V​iew more in our Judith Hendler Price Guide.

Acri-Gems jewelry by Judith Hendler is often unmarked. It was originally sold with a sticker or hangtag identifying the piece. When they are marked, the name Judith Hendler is etched into the plastic material. Some pieces with sterling silver findings are marked as such. 

Its distinctive components often identify unmarked Hendler jewelry. One is the use of tubular plastic, which can be frosted or transparent, to form collar necklaces. Some of these have large gem pendants also crafted of acrylic material.

Hendler’s bracelets also have a distinctive look. Cuffs made with several acrylic tubes that wrap the wrist and bypass bracelets are her signature styles. Be aware, however, that other companies have also made similar styles, so comparing them to correctly identified Hendler pieces is paramount in making an attribution. 

Acri-Gems earring designs are also recognizable by their styling. Many are constructed using an oval, round disc, or cut acrylic tube with a plastic gem or faux pearl attached as an embellishment. 

Find the Value of your Judith Hendler Jewelry. WorthPoint is the largest resource online for identifying, researching and valuing antiques. Explore over 425 Million “sold for” prices with item details and images.

Jewelry by Judith Hendler is often unmarked. It was originally sold with a sticker or hangtag attached to identify the piece as an Acri-Gems design. When they are marked, the name Judith Hendler is etched into the plastic material. Some pieces with sterling silver findings are marked as such. 

Identify your Judith Hendler Jewelry Marks.

Web Resources

Appreciating Judith Hendler in the Present & Future www.costumejewelrycollectors.com.

Judith Hendler Jewelry judithhendler.com.

Judith Hendler: Past, Present, and Future www.costumejewelrycollectors.com.

Related Dictionary Pages: Pierre Cardin Jewelry, R.J. Graziano Jewelry, Theodor Fahrner Jewelry.