Jeanne Costume Jewelry Brand History
The history of costume jewelry branded Jeanne lasted two decades, from 1960 to 1980. The originator of Boutique Jewelry by Jeanne, located at 295 Madison Avenue in New York City, was Jeanne Gans. Incorporated in November 1961, Jeanne Gans Jewelry Inc created two lines of jewelry.
Although Jeanne fashion jewelry was not nationally advertised, sometimes it appeared on the pages of such fashion magazines as Vogue. Its second line of costume jewelry included handcrafted whimsical designs and truly artistic pieces, for which the company received patents from 1963 to 1967.
The company’s craftsmen created jewelry by hand from metal alloys, sterling silver, gold plated, art glass imitating natural stones, rhinestones and enamel.
Boutique Jewelry by Jeanne
The last mention of Jeanne Gans of Jeanne Jewelry in New York was in the Jewelers’ Circular, 1976. In a short interview, she explained the shift away from old trends in jewelry design toward simpler, more fashionable pieces. According to Gans, “The entire fashion landscape is changing, but nostalgia is returning, and with it, the style of the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s…”
Incorrect information online
It should be noted that there is some incorrect information online attributing the authorship of Jeanne jewelry to another New York company headed by Mark Dottenheim. Furthermore, these sources point to 1919 as the brand’s founding year.
Due to this, it’s worth recalling at least one fact: the “Jeanne @” trademark with a copyright sign could not have existed in 1919. This sign @ appeared no earlier than 1952.
About Mark Dottenheim
New York jeweler Simon Dottenheim (1849 – 1940) started on his own account in January 1890. In 1912 when he incorporated the business he admitted his son Mark Dottenheim (1888–1960) into the firm. Simon was president of S. Dottenheim, Inc., his wife Jennie was vice-president, and Mark Dottenheim was secretary. The corporation went bankrupt in 1913.
Mark Dottenheim remained in the jewelry business for many years. According to a 1926 “Copartnership and Corporation Directory Boroughs of Manhattan and Bronx”, he held the position of secretary-treasurer of New York jewelry firm E.J. Gall Co Inc.
Jeanne Jewelry
