The French costume jewelry brand Gontie is not just high-quality jewelry with a nearly 80-year history; it is a family tradition that dates back to the late 19th century.

According to France Major Manufacturers Directory, Jean Gonthiez (1933 – 2013) and Frederick Gonthiez founded Gonthiez Freres, S.A., on July 3, 1957. Noteworthy, the Gonthiez were the successors of a family business established by Esaïe Gonthiez (1858 – 1931) in 1890.
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Established in 1946 in Providence, Sperry Mfg Co produced costume jewelry for less than ten years, until 1955. Its founder was Arthur S. Spear (1921 – 1996) – a World War II veteran, talented businessman, engineer, and inventor.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Arthur Spear studied science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During World War II Spear served in the Army Corps of Engineers. After the war, he returned to his native Providence and founded costume jewelry manufacturing company – Sperry Mfg Co.
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Founded in 1936 at 185 Eddy Street in Providence, Catamore Jewelry Co manufactured religious items and costume jewelry. From the beginning, it was a family business led by Christopher Catanzaro (1908–1980), president and treasurer. His wife, Phyllis (DeFusco) Catanzaro (1912–1977), served as vice president and secretary of Catamore Jewelry Company.

High demand for the company’s products necessitated expansion. Significant changes occurred in late 1948, when the company became a corporation. First, Christy Catanzaro, owner of the company, started a new and enlarged program of advertising and sales promotion in 1948.
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The history of the New York City jewelry company Harry S Bick & Son dates back to 1923, when it was called Kramer & Bick. Its founders were Samuel Kramer (1864 – 1949) and his son-in-law Harry Stark Bick (1890 – 1975).

Samuel Kramer’s daughter, Hattie B Kramer, married Harry Bick in 1913. They had a daughter, Bertha, in 1916, and a son, Harry S Bick Jr., in 1918.
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