Rosehip flower textured brooch. Jewelart Company Sterling Silver Jewelry
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.
1949 Providence, RI Polk City Directory
Tademark for costume jewelry, Jewelart Co., East Providence, RI, first used November 1946Riverside, Rhode Island based Jewelart Company, Patriotic showcase, 1971
Although there have been several other well-known companies bearing the same name since the 1970s, Providence-based Jewelart’s silver jewelry is unmistakable. Its handcrafted pieces exemplify high artistic skill, uniqueness, and attention to detail. The company ceased operations in 1978, and today these pieces, primarily brooches and pins, are highly collectible. Cancelled in November 1978, Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, 1972
Among other Jewelart companies, the most famous was Jewelart Inc (1971–1990), in Van Nuys, California. This was a nationally advertised mail-order-business with divisions and boutiques in Utah, California, and Arizona. Many magazines and newspapers, including Vogue, Seventeen, Mademoiselle, Lincoln Star, The Ladies’ Home Journal, and others featured Jewelart Inc. Bracelets, Mademoiselle December 1975
Jewelart Inc, California, vintage ads
Cameo set, Young N Loving ‘ Teen Dec 1975Carved pink shell rings, Mademoiselle July 1975Jack Donaldson of Jewelart, located on 722 Columbia Lane in Provo, Utah, Daily universe December 1971Sterling silver rings, Mademoiselle December 1975Teddy gold tone jade earrings and pendant, Seventeen Magazine October 1975Enameled gold and silver hoop earrings. Seventeen Magazine Oct 1975Tiger-eye lucite Cuff Bracelet. Seventeen Magazine Oct 1975Handpainted Art Deco pin, The Ladies’ Home Journal, January 1981
