Alaskan Silversmith Sid Bell vintage jewelry for men

Nicknamed the “Alaskan Silversmith,” Sid Bell (1919-2002) was a miniature artist, engraver, carver, and jeweler who worked in silver, as well as pewter and gold. Unlike many other jewelry companies, his Sid Bell Originals handcrafted jewelry for men and, in particular, for animal hunters and animal lovers alike. A World War II veteran and retired Marine, Sid himself was an experienced hunter and wildlife enthusiast.

His product range included engraved and carved silver tie pins, shirt buttons, brooches, belt buckles and engraved knives with “realistic” animal designs. He sold his pieces in their original boxes and with the paperwork that came with them. Known for their exceptional quality and attention to detail, Sid Bell’s pieces have become a gem for collectors of vintage handmade jewellery.

Incorporated in Tully, New York in 1964, Sid Bell Originals Inc (previous name Creative carvings) handcrafted jewelry for less than forty years. Although the company officially ceased to exist in 2006, 70-year-old Sid ceased jewelry making in the 1990s, as a result of accidents and illnesses.

After the retirement, Sid Bell started teaching to make up for the loss of income. In between the classes he managed to run the office, did lot of work from creating the layouts for all of the engraving to even cleaning the toilet after the classes. His students still remember him as a “nice guy, and a very patient teacher”.

Sid Bell vintage jewelry for men