The history of exquisite silver jewelry under the Jewelart brand began in 1946 and a little more than three decades. The founders of Jewelart Co were Armenian-Americans Varkis A. Markarian (1922–2004) and Albert D. Arabian. It’s worth noting that Armenian jewelry art, with a history spanning over a thousand years, is traditionally renowned for its silversmiths.

Initially, a small team of silversmiths created jewelry in a small workshop in the home of Varkis and his wife, Lillian, at 131 Suffolk St, Providence, RI. In 1948, the company moved to 12 Parsonage St in Downtown Providence. Jewelart’s last address was 336 Bullocks Point Ave, Riverside, RI.
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The most famous American designer of the 1930-50s, Nettie Rosenstein (née Rosenscrans) was the first to receive the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1938. In 1940, her clothes were sold in 92 stores across America, with prices ranging from $98 to $500. Her designs were more expensive than those of any other American designer.

In 1942, Nattie Rosenstein (1890 – 1980) began creating limited edition jewelry from sterling silver and vermeil, popular in the 1940s. She also used rhinestones, plastic (imitating coral, bone, and turquoise), ebony, imitation pearls, and enamel. The designs were quite varied, featuring flowers, insects, leaves, animals, Asian and African motifs, and heraldry.
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Born in the village of Martonyi, northeastern Hungary, Sandor Goldberger (1893 – 1988) was the youngest of five children. In search of a better life his family moved to New York City in the 1910s. As a teenager, Sandor began working in jewelry workshops and stores in New York City.

A naturally talented young man was gaining invaluable experience and knowledge, from jewelry creation and sales to business management. In 1920, Sandor married Jane Solomon (1895 – 1979), a native New Yorker, also born into the family of Hungarian immigrants. They had a daughter, Janet Goldberger (1923 – 2014).
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The name Falco di Verdura (1898 – 1978) is associated with the highest levels of craftsmanship in jewelry. Verdura created an entire gallery of jewelry masterpieces that, in addition to high craftsmanship, also boast a touch of surprise.

Traditionally, Verdura used not only precious stones and metals, but also ordinary shells and pebbles he picked up on the seashore. By decorating a found shell with precious stones, Verdura transformed it into a work of art.
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From the very beginning, Van Cleef & Arpels developed their own style, not following fashion trends. The exclusivity and classic beauty of Van Cleef & Arpels’ jewelry earned them the Grand Prix at the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts. Their success then became permanent, with a Grand Prix at the Colonial Exhibition in Paris and a special prize at the 1931 World’s Fair in New York.

Undoubtedly, the brand’s global success was also fueled by an extensive advertising campaign in the most popular fashion magazines, which began in the late 1930s. This was the period when part of the workshops moved to New York, where Pierre Arpels opened the first boutique on Fifth Avenue. In 1939, the second generation of the family, Claude and Jacques, headed the jewelry house.
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Born in Odessa, Russian Empire, Paul Selenger (née Zeilinger) arrived in New York with his mother Rose and sister Fannie in 1927. Immediately upon arrival, he and his sister began working in the company of their uncle, who owned a jewelry store.

A talented businessman, jeweler and artist, Paul S. Selenger (15 Aug 1911 – 16 Dec 1990) lived a vibrant life and made a significant contribution to the jewelry art and to the country. Notably, Selenger was World War II veteran, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942.
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The history of the Alan J costume jewelry brand began in Providence County, Rhode Island, in 1949 and spanned half a century. The company was founded by a young jeweler, Alan J. Knasin, born in 1929 to Jacob and Augustine Knasin. Alan’s father, Jacob A Knasin, was a prominent businessman, president and manager of sheet metal supplies company.

A small workshop established by Alan Knasin was initially located at 233 Baker Street, the same building where the Knasin family lived. Alan’s family, including his mother and older sister, Helen, helped Alan manage the company. In the mid-1950s, Alan Jewelry Co moved to larger premises at 157 Clifford Street in Cranston.
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