Born in 1908 in Italy, Francesco M. Tortolani grew up in a family of jewelers. After graduating from design school in 1928, he left Italy for Providence, Rhode Island. For a while, he worked in local jewelry workshops and was engaged in wholesale jewelry.

In the early 1930s, he worked in the jewelry workshop of his uncle, Dominic Tortolani (1893, Italy – 1980, Johnston, Providence). Working in the jewelry workshop helped Frank not only hone his jewelry-making skills but also establish himself as a talented designer and artist. By 1934, Frank and Dominic had become partners in a new jewelry company.

According to the 1934 Providence Business Directory, Dominic Tortolani, in partnership with Frank Tortolani, founded Jewelry Co. Inc., 185 Eddy Street, Providence. Dominic led the company as president, and Frank Tortolani served as treasurer. Five years later, the partnership between Dominic Tortolani and Frank Tortolani was dissolved.

Dominic Tortolani became the sole owner of the company, which he renamed D Jewelry Co Inc. In turn, in 1940, Frank Tortolani acquired The Mastercraft Jewelry Corp., a jewelry and accessories manufacturing and sales company that had been in business since 1929.

The Mastercraft Jewelry Corp

According to the directories, Frank was the president of the company, and Louis Boscalia was the treasurer. In fact, Mastercraft was a family business of Frank Tortolani and his wife, Elena Tortolani (1907-1997). Remarkably, Frank and Elena lived together for more than 60 years and died in the same year, in 1997.

Frank Tortolani’s company during the war years

In September 1943, WPB (the War Production Board) accused Mastercraft, Inc. of diverting copper, lead, iron, and steel needed for the war effort for unauthorized purposes. As a result, the company agreed not to purchase, manufacture, or sell any products containing copper, lead, iron, or steel except for military purposes.

Despite the difficulties that arose, Frank adapted production to produce wooden and plastic jewelry. He also entered into a contract with the government and repurposed part of the facility to produce metal tokens for the war effort. This enabled him to keep the company from going bankrupt.

Tortolani Jewelry Business in California

After the end of World War II, in 1949, Frank moved production to Los Angeles, where he founded a costume jewelry company under his own brand. Tortolani Jewels, 607 S Hill Los Angeles California, manufactured costume jewelry sold through retailers.

The 1950s truly marked the heyday of Tortolani, whose pieces won awards at national jewelry exhibitions. Fortunately, Frank no longer had to limit himself to the materials he used, primarily gold, silver, metals, pearls, the finest enamels, stones, crystals, and rhinestones.

Tortolani produced high-quality artistic jewelry in aged silver metal, typically with a three-dimensional, sculptural appearance. Traditionally, artisans hand-cast each piece from pewter, then polished and plated it with gold or silver.

Noteworthy, Tortolani began collaborating with such famous cosmetic companies as Max Factor and Avon, creating powder cases and bottles in the form of various figures. The jewelry designs were so good that Avon, Max Factor, and Vivian Woodward subsequently produced copies of Tortolani jewelry.

Frank retired in 1975, but the company continued to produce accessories under the direction of Donald Tortolani (1933 – 2002), the eldest son of Frank M Tortolani and his wife Elena Tortolani. For some years the company produced key chains, key rings, money clips, lighters, etc.

Vintage Costume Jewelry by Tortolani