Julio Marsella Marner vintage costume jewelry

29.08.2020

222 1 minute read

Julio Marsella Marner vintage costume jewelry
Originally, Ralph Neri and Julio Marsella founded the Marner Jewelry Company in 1946. Located on Empire Street in Providence, Rhode Island, the company occupied three small rooms above the windows of the Harris Furs store. However, Neri soon left the company and Julio became the sole owner of the business.
Julio’s organizational skills and talent allowed him to expand the business and make the company prosperous. The company moved to the second and third floors of the Westminster building at 43 Hospital Street, just opposite Coro. The Marner craftsmen worked hard on the production of jewelry, and in 1953 the company moved to a large factory on Harris Avenue.
Traditionally, the markings included Jewels by Julio, or Julio Marsella, or Marner. Noteworthy, although they labeled some pieces “Marner”, most of their decorations were created for such well-known jewelry companies as Hobe, Hattie Carnegie, Kramer and others.
Unfortunately, the mid-1950s saw a downturn in business that affected all Providence jewelry manufacturers, including Marner. Julio was unable to pay taxes and payments to creditors, so he was forced to close the company in 1957. Despite Julio attempting to save his business by picking orders in New York City, local authorities did not allow him to enter the factory. It was the end of Julio Marsella’s jewelry business, as he opened a small shop selling metal figurines and paperweights.