While still a teenager, Bayard F. Brogan (1888-1966) began his career as an apprentice in jewelry workshops of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1908, after several years of hard work, he and a partner founded a small workshop at 805 Sansom Street. Within a few years, his firm had grown into a major manufacturer of gold and platinum mountings manufacturer known from coast to coast.

A self-taught jeweler, Brogan became a professional, inventor, designer, and expert, earning recognition from his peers. In the 1920s, his lectures on modern jewelry production methods were attended by members of the National Association of Jewelers.
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The history of the oldest Button House B. Blumenthal & Co., began in 1877 under the name Blumenthal and Blanchard. Located at 70 Franklin Street, a bustling New York City commercial district known for its dry goods, textiles, and manufacturing, Blumenthal and Blanchard remained in business until 1880.

After Blanchard’s retirement in 1880, management passed to Benjamin Blumenthal. When his nephew, Gustav Blumenthal, joined the firm as a partner, their business became known as B. Blumenthal & Co. At the turn of the century, Alfred Blumenthal, Gustav Blumenthal’s brother, joined the firm.
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Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Parenti Sisters Jewelcraft has a history spanning exactly half a century, from 1927 to 1977. The founders of the firm were second generation silversmiths Delfina Parenti and Zoe Parenti (Borghi). Born in the Italian town of Crevalcore, near Bologna, sisters Delfina Parenti and Zoe Parenti (Borghi) came to the US in 1907.

They settled in Boston, Massachusetts and spent years perfecting a European-trained technique in the making of fine silver jewelry. In 1927 the sisters established their business at 400 Boylston Street, in Boston. The success of the company’s jewelry led to expansion and the opening of branches in Osterville and Gloucester, Massachusetts. In 1941, the company’s headquarters address changed to 97 Newbury Street, Boston.
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The history of the William Lowe company began in 1951, as a result of the renaming of the Roger Wurmser company, which had been known since 1934. Incorporated in 1939, Roger Wurmser continued the business in precious jewelry manufacturing and the importation of diamonds and colored stones.

Roger Wurmser also announced changes to the company’s management. William G Lowenthal (1883 – 1966) became president and treasurer, and Roger Wurmser – secretary of Roger Wurmser, Inc., 610 Fifth Avenue, New York. The firm had branch offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, and in July 1946 they opened branch offices in Paris, London, Antwerp, Geneva and Amsterdam.
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Established in 1905, the Newark Jewelry Manufacturing Company was known for its Jacco brand jewelry. The brand name reflects the surname of its creator Louis P. Jacobitti (1874 – 1954), the founder and president of the company. He came to the US from Italy when he was 16 years old and became a U. S. citizen as a young man.

Headquartered at 18-20 Columbia Street, Newark 5, New Jersey, the company made jewelry in great variety of styles, sizes and prices, boxed or carded. Jacco creations included crosses, lockets, diamond mountings, and wedding ring sets, cuff links, ladies’ stone rings with genuine, synthetic and imitation stones. Also, men’s stone rings, signet rings, tie slides, spray pins, cameos, brooches, wedding rings, chatelaine pins, chains and pendants.
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