The Mandle family came from Germany to the United States in the 1840s, settling in New York City. Urie Mandel’s father died when Uri was only thirteen years old, and he had to start working to support his family. So, in the late 1890s, he began working as a clerk in the warehouse of E. Cohn & Company, located on Broome Street in New York City.

Urie soon discovered his talent as a jewelry salesman, selling jewelry on the Pacific Coast from 1910. Moreover, he was elected president of the Jewelry, Leather and Fancy Goods Salesmen’s Association. When Mr. Cohn passed away, the company became known as Cohn and Rosenberger, 1328 Broadway, and then eventually became Coro. Urie Mandle worked for the company for 26 years.

According to The Jewelers’ Circular, 1925, Urie F Mandle severed his connection with Coro and joined the firm of D Lisner & Co, 303 Fifth Ave. He continued to trade on the Pacific Coast and worked with manufacturers in Providence, Rhode Island.

In 1938, Urie left Lisner and, with Nat Levy, founded the Nat Levy-Urie Mandle Corporation at 411 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Urie’s son, 19-year-old Robert Mandle, also joined the company. Within four years, it was the fastest growing costume jewelry company and the most recognizable name after Coro.

History of Urie and Robert Mandle Jewelry Brand

With metals restricted at the start of World War II, Urie began experimenting with inexpensive materials, including feathers, wood, plastic, and even beans and pasta. It was a tough time for business, with many jewelry companies shutting down production. In addition, Urie’s son, Robert Mandle (1919-2005), joined the military, serving from 1941 to 1946 under General George Patton.

According to a note in the Fashion Calendar, May 17, 1943, Nat Levy-Urie Mandle Corp. no longer existed and was called Urie F Mandle Co. Thus, Urie’s son Robert, who returned after the war, joined his father’s company Urie F Mandle Co., which produced jewelry under the brand name URO Creations.

An important moment in Robert’s business was his trip to Providence and meeting Alfeo Verrecchia, who opened a factory at 51 Empire Street. He designed a mandolin brooch for Robert, which later became the beginning of a whole line of musical instrument brooches.

Urie Mandle passed away in 1955, and Robert founded his own company R. Mandle in 1956. He collaborated with Providence jewelry company Gem-Craft to create a line of jewelry using mother-of-pearl and brass. Notably, Gem-Craft later purchased Mandle’s jewelry molds, producing jewelry under its own name.

Urie and Robert Mandle Jewelry Brand History

In the 1960s, Robert Mandle’s jewelry ads appeared in various magazines including Seventeen, and Simplicity Fashion Magazine. Then, in the 1960s and 70s, he registered patents for brooch designs – banjo, dolphin, fish, rooster, horn and others.

Actively participating in European exhibitions, Robert won the prestigious Swarovski Design Award in 1966. Notably, R. Mandle sold more than half of his products outside the United States and became internationally known.

Robert managed the company until he was 70 years old, retired in 1989 and died in 2005. He was married three times and had 2 sons and 2 daughters who did not follow in their father’s footsteps.

Vintage Jewelry by Urie and Robert Mandle