Incorporated in 1953 at 118 Richmond St., Providence, Rhode Island, Burt Cassell Inc., manufacturer and retailor of costume jewelry lasted for two decades.

Inspired by the Egyptian theme that was fashionable in the 1950s, the company’s jewelers used semi-precious stones, carved hieroglyphs on them, and set them in 12-karat gold. Trying to make their products more accessible to all categories, the company also created jewelry using art glass imitating natural stones. Elegant scarabs promised the buyer good health, prosperity and good luck.

The company developed quite successfully and by 1956, products bearing the Burt Cassell label were sold in the largest department stores. In addition, a branch of the company appeared on Fifth Avenue in New York. Although Providence based company Cassell Burt Inc ceased to exist in 1973, its branch at 389 5 Av New York NY was still active in 1978, according to Chilton’s Jewelers’ Circular/keystone Directory (1978).

Some of the company’s employees included Rosalie Hayward (1912-2005) and Margaret Chirichella (1910-2007), who worked there for many years until the company closed in 1973. Rosalie Hayward worked as a jeweler from 1958 to 1973, and Margaret Chirichella was an office manager until her retirement.

Burt Cassell Vintage Costume Jewelry