Born in Germany, George Krementz (1837, Germany – 1918, Newark, NJ) came to the USA with his parents in 1849. In 1855 he was apprenticed to the jewelry manufacturing firm of Alling, Hall & Dodd, of Newark. After completing his apprenticeship, he joined Smith & Ford, New York city and remained there for eight years.

In April 1866, he returned to Newark and began manufacturing jewelry in a small shop on the second floor of 14 Oliver Street. For a short time he had two young men as partners. However, in 1869, he founded Krementz & Co., and began working with his cousin, Julius Lebkuecher.

Born in Germany, Julius Lebkuecher came here as a young man, learned the jewelry business, and worked for Smith & Ford. Noteworthy, Lebkuecher later became mayor of Newark.

The business grew rapidly and soon occupied the entire three-story building on Oliver Street. To provide more space, the firm moved the factory to a building at Mulberry and Chestnut Streets. The additional space was leased to other jewelry manufacturing concerns.

Among those who at various times occupied the building were Larter, Elcox & Co., A Joralemon & Co., Van Houton Bros, the Essex Watch Case Co., Jones & Woodland and Eckfeldt & Ackley. Due to this fact, the company became known as “an incubator for jewelry manufacturers.”

History of Krementz Jewelry Brand

About 1879, John N Taylor, and George Krementz’s brothers Thomas Krementz and Frank Krementz joined the firm. Taylor remained with the firm until 1906, when he retired. Three years later, he organized the jewelry manufacturing firm of Taylor & Co. Thomas Krementz and Frank Krementz also left the concern to organize the firm of Frank Krementz & Co.

At the time of George Krementz’s death in 1918, the firm consisted of his two sons Richard and Walter Krementz, and Carl H Lebkuecher. Carl was the son of Julius Lebkuecher, his former partner. He changed his family name in April, 1918, from Lebkuecher to Lester.

Mr. Krementz’ constant goal throughout his long business life was to popularize jewelry. He believed in the jewelry business. He did not believe that the jewelry industry was the first to suffer and the last to recover in bad times.
George Krementz and his wife Louisa H. Krementz had two sons Walter and Richard, and three daughters – Frederick, Charles and Louise Krementz.

Known for his many inventions, Krementz patented a one-piece collar button, a seamless wedding ring, and a clutch clasp for military and other buttons. He received patents for these inventions, as well as for the invented by him machines that made them.

Vintage Jewelry by Krementz

According to the article published in “Made in New Jersey : the industrial story of a state”, Krementz’s descendants continued the family business. “Krementz is one of Newark’s leaders and the largest firm in number of employees”.