The history of the fine jewelry brand Gorman began in 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island, with the office and factory located at 160 Atlantic Ave. Initially, Gorman & Son, Inc was a family business founded by hereditary jeweler Henry J. Gorman. Headed by Henry J. Gorman as president, the vice president was his son Henry J. Gorman Jr., and the secretary and treasurer was his wife Mary Gorman.

Traditionally, the company sold jewelry directly from the factory to the retailers. Also, the firm had sales offices at 7 East 42nd St., New York, N.Y., and 315 W 5th St., Los Angeles, California. According to the Rhode Island Business Directory, which published company information annually from 1944 to 1968, Gorman also had a factory in Cranston. Henry J. Gorman Jr. died in 1973 at age 60 and was buried in Cranston.

The company’s craftsmen made gold filled jewelry with the use of cultured pearls and natural stones. Noteworthy, the earliest markings on the back of the pieces included the capital letters H G, as well as the gold karat. Later sterling silver jewelry was marked Gorman and sterling 925.

Having stood the test of time, the products of this brand are extremely rare, demonstrate high quality of execution, and today have collector’s value.

Henry Gorman Vintage Handcrafted Jewelry (1940-1973)