Before founding his jewelry company Marcel Boucher et Cie, 347 Fifth Avenue, New York 16, N. Y. in 1937, Boucher had worked for the leading jewelry firms in Paris and New York. Marcel Boucher (1899–1965) began his career at the famous Cartier jewelry house in Paris. In 1922, he was transferred to the New York office of the Cartier firm as a designer.

From 1930 to 1937 he collaborated with the Mazer company, for which he created buckles and costume jewelry, in which he saw many possibilities. Therefore, in 1937, Boucher decided to start his own business. During World War II, Boucher temporarily moved production to Mexico, where silver was abundant.

After the war, Boucher began making more feminine and ornate jewelry.

Nationally Advertised Jewelry by Boucher

Noted designer and manufacturer of costume jewelry, Boucher offered exquisite creations for almost thirty years. Nationally advertised in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Esquire, his beautifully styled costume jewelry earned him worldwide recognition. In 1949 his jewelry including bug pin appeared on the cover of the Jewelers’ Circular.

In 1952, Boucher announced the creation of a new line of of high grade jewelry. The line included rings, earrings, and pins made of 14 and 18-karat gold with precious semi-precious stones. His newest creations combined rubies, diamonds, emeralds discreetly to enhance 18k.

The talented designer believed that Americans love jewelry with meaning, and his designs included a vast choice of flower motifs. Retail prices ranged from $35 to $125.

Marcel Boucher High Grade Costume Jewelry

According to a notice published in the November 1958 Jewelers’ Circular, Geo Schuler corporation acquired the Precious Jewelry division of Marcel Boucher et CIE. From then on, the corporation manufactured and sold Boucher jewelry as well as its own products.

Noteworthy, the corporation maintained the same standards of quality and craftsmanship as the Boucher company. Meanwhile, Marcel Boucher et Cie continued to manufacture and sell its own line of costume jewelry, consisting of original creations by Marcel Boucher.

After Boucher’s death in 1965, his second wife Sandra Semensohn, who he married in 1964, and who was also a designer, ran the company until 1972. In 1972, Davorn Industries acquired Boucher’s company.

Maker’s marks:

The marking on jewelry from 1937 to 1950 included MB or MB Sterling, and from 1950 the Boucher marking appeared. The copyright sign, Boucher and the Marboux marking appeared in 1955. The company also had an original marking by numbers, used with or without the name.

Thus, in 1945 the numbers 2300 – 2350 were used, in 1946 the numbers 2351 – 2450, and in 1947 the numbers 2451 – 2550. Then, 2551 – 2750 in 1948, 2751 – 3000 in 1949, 3001 – 4500 in 1950, and so on. Also, the letters “P” (on brooches) and “E” (on earrings) were added to the numbers.

Boucher Costume Jewelry and ads