A native of Germany, Leopold Stern (1848 – 1928) was the son of jeweler Nathan Stern, who instilled in him an interest in all aspects of the jewelry business. Arriving in the United States with his parents in March 1863, Leopold Stern joined his father’s jewelry business, then based in Philadelphia.

On July 12, 1871, he and his brother Isidor moved to New York City, where they opened an office at 61 Nassau Street. The brothers became partners in their father’s firm and named their partnership Stern Bros & Co. The brothers began with a small production facility but soon opened a factory at 17 and 19 John Streets.

Around the same time, the office moved to 38 John Street, where it remained for three years. The office then moved to 30 Maiden Lane, where it remained until 1893. During these years, the company expanded in all its areas, especially in diamonds, which it mastered extensively.

Business expansion

Leopold’s father, Nathan Stern, died in August 1883, and a few years later, Augustus Goldsmith joined the firm. Meanwhile, the manufacturing enterprise became independent, occupying factories first at Gold and Fulton Streets, then at 31-33 Gold Streets, a building it occupied for 35 years.

In 1892, the company opened a diamond cutting factory and elegant offices at 68 Nassau Street. At the same time, they opened a diamond cutting factory at 31 Gold Street. Meanwhile, the company abandoned the wholesale jewelry business and focused on its two divisions: jewelry manufacturing and diamond cutting, each with its own factory.

Isidor Stern died in 1898, and in 1900, Leopold Ettinger joined the firm. Leopold Stern’s two sons, Nathan John Stern (1888 – 1945) and Jacob Ernest Stern (1887–1950) also joined Stern Bros & Co in 1908.

Business Divided

At the end of 1912, the business was divided. Leopold Stern remained in charge of the diamond business under the old name Stern Bros. & Co. The new partnership, became known as Goldsmith, Stern & Co., headed by Augustus Goldsmith.

In 1925 Stern Bros. & Co purchased the firm Brand Chatillon Co. After the death of Leopold Stern in 1928, his sons Nathan and Jacob took over the family business. Nathan, head of the firm of Stern Bros. & Co died in 1945, and Jacob in 1950. Established 1868, Stern Bros & Co ceased to exist in 1950.

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