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.

Also, the same year Catamore Jewelry Co moved to a new modern plant at 231 Pine St., Providence, R. I. The new factory, constructed of modern brick and concrete, was a one-story building, with additional several thousand square feet of space.

According to Catanzaro, with that new building he was able to build a larger and more representative line. Catamore craftsmen made a complete line of costume and religious jewelry in gold, gold filled, sterling, and semiprecious stones. They distributed jewelry through wholesalers.

Incorporated in 1957 Catamore Jewelry Company

The company’s next move took place in 1957, when Catamore Jewelry Co Inc moved to new building at Georgia and Virginia Aves in Providence. Thus, the corporation doubled factory space. Ten years later, the company changed address to Warwick, Rhode Island.

In 1970, Catamore Jewelry Co Inc, doing business as Catamore Jewelry Enterprises, launched “John Grant Designs” trademark for costume jewelry.

According to 1960s Providence City Directories, Christopher Catanzaro Jr and his wife Lois also worked for Catamore Jewelry Co. After the founder’s death in 1980, his son Christopher Catanzaro Jr took over the business. In 1982, he sold the company to Johnson Matthey, a jewelry corporation in Delaware.

Catamore Vintage Jewelry and ads