From its founding in June 1953 until its closure in 1983, Burt Cassell Jewelry Corporation was a leader in the production of gold filled and Scarab jewelry. Burt Cassell, the founder of the eponymous company, served as its president and treasurer.

The jewelry factory was located at 118 Richmond Street in Providence, Rhode Island, and the showroom was on Fifth Avenue in New York City.

When creating bracelets, brooches, and earrings with scarabs, jewelers used 12-14 K gold, semi-precious stones, as well as imported simulated stones. Sold in major stores in the United States, the pieces were marked “Burt Cassell” and the gold karat, on an oval cartouche.

Noteworthy, hand-engraved with ancient hieroglyphics, each stone conveyed a message, such as wishes for health and good luck. Traditionally, these stones included natural and faux agate, sapphires, rubies, jade, turquoise, and cultured pearls.

Jewelry and Ads

Popular fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Mademoiselle featured advertisements for Burt Cassell jewelry in the 1960s. Today, these pieces are highly collectible.