Born in New York and educated in Kansas City, Missouri, Irving H Laykin (1906 – 1966) was a well-known diamond dealer in Los Angeles. He founded Laykin Diamond Company at the corner of 5th Street and Spring Street in 1929. Three years later his younger brother Solomon W Laykin (1910 – 1993), lawyer by education, joined Laykin Diamond Company.

Having accumulated the necessary capital, Solomon Laykin opened his own jewelry store “Laykin et Cie” on Sunset Boulevard in 1935. Four years later, by invitation of I. Magnin, the upscale boutique on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, he moved his store there. From that time on, his jewelry company became known as Laykin et Cie at I. Magnin.

Initially, Laykin specialized in the purchase and sale of antique jewelry and precious stones. Later, he began producing jewelry using precious metals and stones. Among the many designers who contributed to the Laykin brand were George Headley, David Webb, Andrew Grima, and David Yurman.

The success led to the company’s expansion and the opening of new boutiques and offices. The new jewelry departments opened in La Jolla, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago, Palm Springs, and Carmel.

Laykin Jewels in Ads

The company’s heyday came in the 1930s and 1940s, when Laykin advertisements regularly appeared in renowned fashion magazines. Among them were Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, The New Yorker, Town and Country, and others. Furthermore, Solomon Laykin became a favorite of many Hollywood directors who wanted to see authentic jewelry in their films.

Robert A. Kane, vice president of Laykin et Cie showing to Eleanor Lonhardta spectacular golden sapphire ring, 34 karats in weight and set with diamonds. Eleanor also wears a striking new look in diamonds in the form of a double row diamond and gold necklace with complementing four-row diamond earrings.

Solomon Laykin and Hollywood

Thus, for the film “Imitation of Life” (1959), and in particular for the actress Lana Turner, Laykin provided jewelry worth more than $1,000,000. Remarkably, two armed guards were at Lana’s side every minute while the fabulous gem collection was in use.

Priceless jewels included emerald and diamond set valued at $240,000 and a star sapphire set valued at $50,000. Additionally, there were pearl and diamond earrings valued at $9,000, multicolored sapphires valued at $45,000, and a diamond set valued at $127,000.

According to the Universal Pressbook, in the “Bus Riley’s Back in Town (1965), Ann-Margret wore precious jewelry price-tagged at more than $250,000. The borrowed from the Laykin & Co collection included Diamond wedding band, Ten-carat marquise diamond engagement ring, Emerald and diamond pins, and Pair of gold-and-diamond bracelets. Also, Diamond and gold bangle watch, Diamond hair clip, Diamond and platinum bracelet, and Diamond drop earrings.

Scandalous divorce

Meanwhile, the renowned jeweler Solomon Laykin became an “anti-hero” of the gossip columns, featured in numerous newspapers from 1944 to 1948. This was due to the scandalous divorce his wife initiated in 1944. These articles revealed a different side of Laykin.

The Edmonton bulletin October 12, 1944 published an article “Hubby just an Indian Giver”. According to the article, Mrs. Solomon W. Laykin testified in obtaining a divorce that her husband, a Beverly Hills jeweller, liked to impress his friends by giving her lavish gifts in their presence.

Often at dinner parties, she said, he would present her expensive Jewelry, or perhaps a $1,000 cheque. “What’s cruel about that?” inquired the judge. “As soon as our guests were gone,” she replied, “my husband would take the jewelry back and destroy the cheques.”

The court answered in the affirmative by granting her divorce. Finally, according to Lincoln Star, October 1948, Mrs Solomon W. Laykin got the divorce from her husband, wealthy Beverly Hills jeweler Solomon Laykin.

Laykin brand jewelry and ads