Vintage Briggs Carmen Adjustable Bracelet - 1890-1901

Question
I found a Carmen Adjustable Bracelet in my mother's estate items.  She has the original red velvet box with gold trim.  The side of the box says, "Briggs Carmen" Trade Mark.  The inside of the box says, "Original Quality.  Patented May 20, 1890 - Feb. 5, 1901  Made Only by The D.F. Briggs Co., Attleboro, Mass."  The bracelet has a single heart in the center and has three lines of print on the links.  First, "Made in U.S.A.  Second, "Carmen."  Third, "The D.F.B. Co."  I thought this bracelet was my mother's but I'm wondering if it could have been my Grandmother's.  My Grandfather was a jeweler.  If they made the bracelet into the early '40's, my Mother could have received it from her husband who went to war and was killed in the Normandy invasion.  How long did they make this particular single-heart style with red velvet box and what could the value be?  Were they gold or gold filled?

Answer
Hello Brenda and thank you for your inquiry. I can give you some information - the bracelet was patented in 1890 and shipped worldwide in several different versions - yours was one. Most of them were gold-filled. They offered boxed packaging for the bracelet in green, red or white boxes with velvet interiors. Several books value the bracelet in the original box in mint condition at $75 - 150. The market value would be less depending on the current need. Ebay auction is a good place to find a current market value for your item. Hope this helps !

Sally
jarrettsjade.com