The history of the David Grad Company for the manufacture of costume jewelry began in 1936 and lasted more than two decades. Its founder was David Grad who established the eponymous firm with the head office at 303 Fifth Avenue in New York City, and 920 Merchandise Mart, Chicago.

From the very beginning, the company worked with wholesalers, offering them a wide selection of rhinestone jewelry. Already at the end of 1941, David Grad began placing advertisements for his jewelry – necklaces, pins, bracelets, bowknots, coat sprays set in finest-cut imported stones.

Initially a small team of 5 people, by 1945, David Grad Company had grown into an enterprise with 30 employees. In addition to New York and Chicago offices, the firm opened new offices and showrooms at 1105 Commerce Street, Dallas, and at 643 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles.

David Grad Company employees

Among the most significant sales representatives of the company were Bruce McGill (Michigan), Richard Labuskes (Ohio and West Virginia), Clark S Bennett and his wife (Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota), and Leo Gutmann, representing the Donna line in Chicago. By 1955, the firm expanded sales force to 18 men.

In May 1953, David Grad announced that Lou Einhorn, who had been associated with the firm since 1941 as sales manager, had become a partner.

Among the noted jewelry designers was Daniel Kasoff, assignor to David Grad Company.

Donna collection – “Actress in Every Woman’

In 1946, David Grad jewelers created the fabulous collection of the Shakespeare’s immortal heroes – Hamlet, Romeo, Juliet, Othello, Desdemona, etc. Made in gold on sterling, and lit with rhinestones, the jewels were luxuriously gift boxed. The Shakespearean collection “Actress in Every Woman’ was nationally advertised in color in Glamour, Fascination and New York Times Magazine.

Notably, the appointment of George Gerstman as sales manager in July 1955, who had been with the David Grad Co for over 18 years, confirms the company’s founding date – 1936.

Trademarks

From 1945 to 1948, the company registered five trademarks for the manufacture of costume jewelry – Click of the Month (1945), Donna (1946), Costume Jewelry by Donna (1946), Stellar (1946), and Starlooms (1948).
The David Grad Company was last mentioned in 1959 and apparently ceased to exist in 1960.

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