Am Lee vintage costume jewelry

Am Lee vintage costume jewelry
The history of the Am Lee costume jewelry brand covers a rather short period, less than two decades. However, the design of Am Lee brooches, necklaces and earrings is easily recognizable. This is a delicate filigree work of sterling silver, glass stones, Austrian crystals, and high quality rhinestones. Noteworthy, the filigree designs by Am Lee entered the “Catalog of Copyright Entries” (1954).
Located at 80 Clifford Street, Providence, Rhode Island, the company produced costume jewelry, often gold and rhodium-plated. Founded in 1946, Am Lee Jewelry Company Inc. ceased to exist in 1962.
According to ads, AM Lee sold its jewelry through wholesalers only, and the representatives were in the US and Canada. In particular, Jerry Morvillo (Providence, R.I.), Howard D. Seebeck and Harry Mitchell (Chicago, Illinois), and J. H. L’Heureux (Montreal, Canada).
The markings on the back of each item include “Am Lee”, and the purity of the metal, such as 1/20 G.F., or Sterling.
Rare and quality handcrafted pieces from this brand are highly coveted by lovers and collectors of vintage and antique jewelry.