Elegant, romantic, magnificent … these were the jewels of the Jewelmasters Inc., fabulous salon at 125 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida. There, more than 80 Jewelmasters’ model makers, diamond setters and old world artisans created jewelry masterpieces. It is noteworthy that most of the craftsmen were high-class European jewelers.

In fact, the history of the jewelry brand Jewelmasters began long before 1952, when it was established. The founder of the famous jewelry brand was Herman Henry Barr. Herman Barr was general manager of the Castleberg stores in Philadelphia and one in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 1921, upon the death of Mr. Castleberg, Herman Barr took over the business and changed the name to “Associated Barr Stores”. His Associated Barr Stores included 16 units. In addition, Herman Barr founded five firms – Barr’s Jewelers, Barr & Sons, Barr Bros, Barr’s Inc, and Jewelmasters Inc.

Founder, Herman Henry Barr (14 August, 1887 – 27 February, 1975)

Herman Barr and his wife Mollye G Barr settled in Palm Beach in 1946. In 1952 they established Jewelmasters as a separate company to lease jewelry divisions in major department stores. Upon the sales of all Barr stores in 1970 to Zale Jewelry Company, Jewelmasters established a factory in New York to manufacture a full line of retail jewelry items. In 1972 Jewelmasters relocated its factory and jewelry salon to Palm Beach.

Myer Bernard Barr

Herman H Barr and his wife Mollye G Barr had two sons – Myer Bernard Barr (1913 – 2011) and Josef Jay Barr. Myer Bernard Barr was president of Associated Barr Stores (1936 – 1961) and vice-president of Jewelmasters Inc (1955 – 1961). He became a renowned diamontologist, and led Diamant Limited and Diamex Inc as president (1961-1968).

In 1968 he became executive director of Diamond Council of America, New York, N.Y. Myer Bernard Barr lived long life, led public, social and political activity and held leadership positions in many organizations.

Josef Jay Barr, president of Jewelmasters Inc since 1953

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Josef Jay Barr got his education in Northwestern University, Evanston (1939-42) and University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1943). Immediately after graduating from university, he did his military service in the United States Navy Reserve.

Josef Barr joined his father’s firm, Associated Barr Stores, Philadelphia, in 1945. He led the business as vice president from 1945 to 1960, and as president from 1960 to 1970. At the same time, he took over his father’s company, Jewelmasters, in 1953.

Josef Barr was proud of his jewelry designs, many of which he himself created. His jewelry lines included “Diamonds in the Nude” (there wre no settings at all), the Nail Set, the Pyramid Look and the Master’s Touch. Jewelmasters sold their jewelry in the prestigious department stores around the country, but special orders got special attention.

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