The history of the Merrin jewelry brand began in 1921 as Merrin & Caruso, 106 Fulton Street, New York. The partnership between Joseph Merrin and Frank Caruso lasted five years.

Joseph Merrin (1900 – 1991) came to the United States from the Russian Empire in 1917, settling in New York City. He earned his first fortune by working as an apprentice in local jewelry workshops for three years. In 1920, he met Frank Caruso, who also had experience in the jewelry business.

Frank Caruso

Before 1916, Frank Caruso was an employee of L. Barnett & Co, manufacturing jewelers, 481 Washington street, Newark, New Jersey. Following the presidential order mobilizing the militias of various states, Frank Caruso was drafted into the Army in 1916.

After his service, in 1919, Frank Caruso came to New York City to start his jewelry business. He founded The Allied Novelty Jewelry Corporation in partnership with H. Kleinfield and E. Ramer of New York. Caruso dissolved his partnership with The Allied Novelty Jewelry Corporation in 1921.

In 1921 Joseph Merrin and Frank Caruso established Merrin & Caruso, manufacturing jewelers, 106 Fulton Street, New York. However, in 1926 the company declared bankruptcy. The following year, Joseph Merrin founded a jewelry company under his own name.

Joseph Merrin

Joseph married Esther Manelis (1905 – 1958), also an immigrant from Russia, in 1925, and they had two sons, Edward and Seymour. Merrin Jewelry Company Inc was a family business which lasted until 1996. Noteworthy, his store at 530 Madison Avenue became the first store with air-conditioning. Besides, the firm pioneered in the sale of jewelry by mail.

Originally located at 64 W. 48th Street, in 1950 Merrin Jewelry Co Inc moved to 530 Madison Ave, New York. In addition to a salon and factory at 530 Madison Ave, Merrin opened an elegant new salon at 417 Park Ave, in 1970. Later, in 1975, Merrin Jewelry Co moved to 724 Fifth Avenue.

From the very beginning, renowned Manhattan jeweler Joseph Merrin had a reputation as a manufacturer of diamond jewelry. Indeed, prominent Fifth Avenue jewelry company produced expensive jewelry made from precious metals and stones – solid gold, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies.

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The company placed great emphasis on advertising, and Merrin’s jewelry regularly appeared in fashion magazines. Joseph Merrin was himself a collector of art and jewelry. Today, sold for thousands of dollars at auctions, Merrin fine jewelry is rare and highly collectible.

As a millionaire, Joseph made numerous contributions to various Jewish social, religious and charitable organizations.

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