JewelryID, Автор в Jewelry ID

Lois Jean Costume Jewelry Brand History

09.02.202509.02.2025

Butterfly Heart gold filled pendant. Lois Jean vintage costume jewelry (1975-1983)

The history of the Lois Jean jewelry brand began in 1975 and lasted less than a decade. Located ten miles outside of Boston at 241 Crescent St., Waltham, Massachusetts, Lois Jean Inc ceased to exist in 1983. Its founder, president and jewelry designer was Lois Jean Raymond.

The company produced costume jewelry, namely pendants, bracelets, charms, earrings, lockets, and anklets, some of which were made of precious metals. The designer marked her jewelry with her name Lois Jean in stylized letters and on an oval cartouche. Notably, she also designed jewelry for the London-based Casini Diamonides. Skillfully handcrafted by the master herself and with the use of high-quality materials, these limited edition pieces are highly collectible today.

Noteworthy, after closing her costume jewelry business in Boston, she founded Lois Jean Inc wholesale company at 555 Fifth Avenue in New York. Oddly enough, the company also operated for only eight years, from 1984 to 1992.

Lois Jean Raymond died on 10 December 2008.

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Louis Stern Jewelry History

09.02.202508.03.2026

The history of Providence based manufacturer of gold-filled jewelry Louis Stern Co dates back to 1871. Noteworthy, a future prominent jewelry manufacturer Louis Stern (1858 – 1929) was only 13. The Louis Stern Company went through three wars and the reconstruction periods that followed, through four depressions, through good and bad times.

Born in New York city in 1858, Stern entered the jewelry business as an office boy for the Davidson Co, and later went on the road for that concern. After several years as a salesman, Louis Stern purchased Mr. Bennett’s interest in Young & Bennett and firm was known as Young & Stern.
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Reed and Barton Jewelry Trademark History

08.02.202503.11.2025

The history of the oldest house in the silver business of the United States Reed & Barton dates back to 1824, founded by Isaac Babbitt. Isaac Babbitt started experimenting in 1822 at the back of his jewelry store on Merchants Row in Taunton, southern Massachusetts.

He defined the whole venture as a “search for something better” for the tables of the American people. Soon William Crossman joined Isaac Babbitt, and in May 1824 they founded the Babbitt and Crossman firm.
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New York Jeweler Olga Tritt

07.02.202504.03.2026

Born May 10, 1886 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Olga Tritt received her academic education in Gymnasium for girls. Then followed professional education and the professional training in the shops and factories of St. Petersburg. Noteworthy, she also studied painting or sculpting.

However, she felt that she might be happy and successful in the role of a designer of beautiful jewelry. According to one of her interviews, “jewels having always had for me a particularly strong appeal.”
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Gertrud Engel botanical silver jewelry

07.02.202507.02.2025

A talented designer, artist silversmith of the mid-20th century, Gertrud Engel (1904-1983) made a huge contribution to the development of Danish jewellery art. And it is even more unfair that there is no biography of such an important figure in Danish jewelry design as Gertrud Engel. According to sources, she worked for the renowned Anton Mickelson firm from 1944 until her retirement in 1964. She marked her pieces Engel or Rougie next to the Anton Mickelson AM mark. Perhaps, she used the Rougie marking because it was a part of her family name.

Notably, Gertrud worked for Anton Mickelson at the same time with other famous modernist jewelers of the mid-20th century, who also added their mark to the company’s stamp. Among them, in particular, Karen Strand (1924 – 2000), Eigil Jensen (1917 – 2002), Nanna Ditzel (1923 – 2005), Jørgen Ditzel (1921-1961), Else Alfelt (1910 – 1974) and others.

Each of these jewelers created their own unique designs that cannot be confused with the work of other jewelers. Gertrude’s realistic botanical jewelry designs are also unmistakable from the work of other artists. Sterling silver bracelets, brooches, earrings and necklaces in the form of tree leaves, plants, shrubs and flowers show Gertrud Engel Rougie as an expert in botany and a lover of the nature of her native Denmark.
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Star Art Jewelry Company History

06.02.202502.04.2026

The history of the jewelry manufacturing and wholesale company Star Art Jewelry Co began in 1944. Located at 795 Eddy Street, Providence, Star Art also manufactured jewelry under the brand names “Tradition” and “Jewels by Helene”.

According to the 1963 Jewelers’ Circular, the company known as Jewels by Helene was “Fashion leader for over 19 years in the production of fine gold filled and Sterling Silver Jewelry”. The company’s craftsmen created jewelry using 12-14 karat gold, 925 sterling silver, natural stones, art glass, rhinestones, Austrian crystals, artificial and cultured pearls.
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OTC Oriental Trading & Company rhinestone jewelry

06.02.2025

The history of the OTC jewelry brand began in 1991 and lasted for about a decade. Oriental Trading & Company, based in North Little Rock, Arizona, ceased to exist in 1999. According to U.S. registration records, the company produced both costume jewelry and luxury jewelry using precious metals and natural stones.

Carefully working on creating jewelry by hand, the company’s craftsmen used high-quality materials. Among them are genuine Austrian crystals and rhinestones, gold and silver-tone metal alloys, and beautiful multi-colored enamels. A prong setting style of OTC jewelry adds to its elegance, and can be a great addition to any jewelry collection.

The traditional direction of jewelry design is dedicated to the main holidays – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Halloween. In addition, a special place in the design (mainly brooches) is occupied by patriotic motifs, allowing anyone to express love for the country, especially on Independence Day and Flag Day. The back labeling includes the OTK abbreviation in capital letters on an oval cartouche and a copyright sign.

It is important to note that there is a larger and more well-known company with a similar name – Oriental Trading, which began in 1932 with a small souvenir shop in Omaha, Nebraska. However, the Arizona jewelry company has nothing in common with the well-known company that continues to operate successfully in Nebraska.
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Author: JewelryID