The history of Gem Craft jewelry began after the WWII, when Gene Verrecchia (Gene Verri) founded his own jewelry company in Providence, RI in 1945. By that time he had worked as Coro’s lead designer for more than 30 years. His hands created real masterpieces for Coro, that’s why even having his company, he continued working for Coro.
Originally called Craftsman, then Sample Art, he produced his own lines of jewelry as well as designed jewellery for famous jewelry companies and designers of the time. In particular, for Oscar de la Renta, Kenneth Jay Lane, Capri, R. Mandle, Tancer, Kramer, and Cadoro.
Thanks to bright expressive jewelry designs, created mostly in the 1950-80s, the company flourished. Traditionally labeled, all Gem-Craft Corp decorations used a Craft stamp with a copyright sign since 1979.
Signed Gem Craft high quality jewelry of this brand is very rare, collectible, and the price of it will increase each year.
Noteworthy, talented designer Gene Verri actively worked until his death at age 101 on December 30, 2013.
Flamingo brooch. Metal alloy, Swarovski crystals. 1960sMaker’s mark
Gem Craft vintage costume jewelry
Botton design clips. Gold tone, rhinestonesAngel with heart brooch. Gold tone, rhinestoneBee figural brooch. Gold tone cream enamel finishBlack and yellow enamel clips. Gold tone, enamel. 3.4 cmBow brooch. Textured alloy of gold tone, crystals. 10.5 cmChoker necklace and clips, amber color lucite. 1950sDogwood flower enameled broochDolphin gold tone and black enamel broochEgyptian motif necklace and clipsFlower shaped pearl clipsFrog brooch. Gold tone, Lapis Lazuli and lucite jade belly, rhinestonesGorgeous vintage gold vermeil and enamel clip on earringsLeopard brooch. Gold tone, black enamel, rhinestonesOrange Beetle brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones, lucite. 6 cmPink Beetle brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones, lucite. 6 cmRoman Soldier set of brooch and earrings. Gold tone, black enamel, rhinestonesRose brooch of gold tone, crystalsRound earrings. Gold tone, vermeil and crystalScottie Dog brooch. Gold tone, rhinestones, black cabochonSet of pearl brooch and clips. Gold tone, faux pearlsSquare dangle modernist brooch of gold tone. Green and bown enamelStarfish clips. Gold tone, cabochons, faux pearlSterling silver and pearl modernist brooch. 1950sSwirl brooch of gold tone, decorated with rhinestones. 1960sTriangle dangle clip on earrings. Gold tone, enamel, rhinestonesYellow elephant brooch. Silver tone metal, enamelBridal bouquet brooch. 1942. Silver tone metal alloy, plastic, rhinestones. 11 cmCamellias trembler brooch. 1938. Gold tone, rhinestones. 7.5 cmGoose brooch. Gold tone, faux moonstone cabochons, rhinestone. 11 cm. 1941Goose brooch. Gold tone, faux moonstone cabochons, rhinestone. 11 cm. 1941Maker’s mark
