For six hundred years, members of the Pennino family had been jewelers in Italy before three brothers arrived in America in 1904. These brothers were Oreste Pennino (1888 – 1967), Francis Anselmo (1897 – 1972) and Gennaro (1900 – 1963).

Established in 1926, Pennino Brothers company had office at 38 West 48th Street, New York City. Pouring tradition and artistry into jewelry they created exquisite necklaces, earrings, and pins of rare and unusual beauty. Oreste was the designer, Francis was the master craftsman, and Gennaro (Jack) was the salesman.
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The jewelry brand Soret of the old New York company Somers-Ernst appeared only in 1946. In fact, Soret was the last trademark owned by Otto Somers, founder of O J Somers Co. He started his jewelry business O J Somers Co in 1902 at the address 87 Nassau Street, New York NY. Seco was the first jewelry trademark founded by the company in 1902.

In 1911 O J Somers Co changed its name to O J Somers & Co, a concern incorporated in Albany under the laws of New York State to conduct the jewelry business. The authorized capital was $40,000, and the founders were Otto J Somers, Chas. B. Bretzfeider, and Julia K Duffy, all of New York. Within three years, Otto Somers became the sole owner of the firm.
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Born June 14, 1915 in Providence, Vito William Scola ran Vargas Manufacturing Company as president from 1945 to 1979. The son of Bernardo and Louisa (Calise) Scola, he studied business administration in the University of Rhode Island. After graduation in 1938 he entered Boston University in Massachusetts.

From 1939 he worked in Rhode Island Social Welfare Department, and finally decided to start his jewelry business in 1945. Initially, Vargas Mfg Co (previously known as VMC, Inc) was a family business owned by Vito William Scola and his wife Laura M. Verdi.
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The history of the legendary Monet Jewelers began in 1927 when Michael and Joseph Chernow founded Monocraft Products Co, 137 5th ave., New York, N. Y. The two brothers Michael Chernow (March 25, 1900 – July 4, 1978) and Joseph (Jay) Chernow (February 1897 – September 1966) were natives of Brooklyn, New York City.

Initially, their company made gold plated monograms for ladies’ handbags in Providence, R.I. Their innovative monogram technology became immediately popular and was patented in 1928. Following their success and business expansion the brothers founded Monet in 1936 to produce “the finest costume jewelry in the world.”
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Born in Bavaria, German blacksmith Henry Schreiner (1898-1954) came to New York City in 1923. Unable to find work as a blacksmith, he took a job with the Consolidated Edison Company of New York. Three years later, he found work making shoe buckles, where he honed his skills as a blacksmith, artist, and jeweler.

As early as 1932, Heinrich Schreiner adapted his name to the American style – Henry. Together with his wife Mathilde Schreiner, he founded Schreiner Jewelry Co Inc, on manufacture of rhinestone ornaments and jewelled buttons. According to 1953 Directory of Manufacturing Firms in New York State, Henry Schreiner was president, and Mathilde Schreiner was secretary and treasurer. Their firm employed 20 people.
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Incorporated under Rhode Island law with $60,000 capital the Bliss Brothers & Everett jewelry manufacturing firm started in 1873. Its founders were Charles Edwin Bliss (8 February 1837 – 1 April 1908), Everett Bradford Bliss (31 October 1839 – 2 August 1906), and Richard Louis Ferdinand Everett (26 Nov 1833 – 1894). Initially located in the Steam Power building Railroad St., their plant made a variety of gold-plated goods.

Three years later the Bliss Brothers & Everett moved into the Robinson building, and opened a New York office with Mr Everett there. In 1887 Everett withdrew and the company changed name to Bliss Brothers Co. Following the retirement of Everett Bliss in the early 1890s, and Charles Edwin Bliss took over the company.
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