The history of the Weinreich Brothers Jewelry Company began in New York, founded by twenty-year-old Sol E. Weinreich (1886 – 1983) in 1906. Headquartered at 383 Fifth Avenue, New York City, the company manufactured costume jewelry in a factory in Union City, New Jersey.

Noteworthy, the company produced costume jewelry under dozens of trademarks registered by the company since 1911. However, only Marvella, first used in 1935, became the most recognizable brand, and even an alternative name for the company.

So, among other trademarks owned by the Weinreich Brothers were: Rival (since 1911), Dew-Drops, Lisanda, Evening Star, Love Story, Queen’s Lace, Neptune, North Star, The Pretender, Le Paradis, and ten more.

Richard Elias Weinreich (1915 – 2005), son of Sol E. Weinreich, joined the company in the 1930s. He led Marvella Inc. (a.k.a. Marvella Pearls) from 1940s until he retired as chairman in 1979. Theodore (Ted) Grant Weinreich (November 25, 1941 – February 17, 2024), son of Richard and Marjorie Weinreich and grandson of Sol E. Weinreich continued the family business. However, in 1982 he sold the company to Trifari.

Nationally advertised Marvella

According to Jeweler’s Circular Keystone (1942), Weinreich Bros made Replica pearls in two qualities, simulating the silvery glow of Indian Ocean pearls (retailing at $15) and the creme rosee of Persian Gulf pearls ($25 retail). Both qualities hand-knotted between every pearl and clasped with white gold.

Marvella was nationally advertised in Vogue, Town and Country, Bride’s Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Motion Picture, Movie Story Magazine and many others.

Antique and Vintage Jewelry by Weinreich Brothers