Signed BDA vintage costume jewelry
Carved carnelian cameo 10 K gold pendant. 1950s. Signed BDA vintage costume jewelry
Signed BDA vintage costume jewelry (1943-1986)
The history of the BDA jewelry brand began in Providence, Rhode Island, founded by three partners in 1943. Among them, in particular, Frank Rhodes Budlong (1889-1956), Edgar Milton Docherty (born August 8, 1883, Canada), and George A. Armstrong (b. in Cranston, RI).
Founded in 1905, Budlong, Docherty & Armstrong, Inc. was formerly known as William C. Greene Co., the oldest jewelry firm in Providence, founded in 1849 by William C. Greene.
Renamed Budlong, Docherty & Armstrong Inc. in 1905, the company continued the glorious traditions of its predecessor.
BDA President Frank Rhodes Budlong (born July 22, 1889 in Cranston) was a hereditary jeweler whose father, Robert, owned the S.K. Merrill in Providence. After graduating from college, Frank began his career as a gem dealer for H. Nordlinger’s Sons. In 1905, he joined his father’s business as New York office manager of S.K. Merrill. Aged 26 he became the president of Budlong, Docherty & Armstrong, Inc., and Edgar Milton Docherty became the company’s secretary and treasurer.
Extremely rare and highly collectible, BDA classic designs most often include cameo brooches, pendants and rings made of handcarved carnelian or shell. The company’s craftsmen made high quality pieces with the use of 10 K gold, silver, pewter, cultured pearls, natural gems, as well as precious stones – sapphire, opals and emeralds.
12 K gold filled stick pin
Signed BDA vintage costume jewelry
Maker’s mark
Budlong, Docherty & Armstrong marked their jewelry with the initials BDA and the purity of the metal – gold, silver, or pewter. They sold BDA jewelry in beautifully designed boxes in major US department stores. The boxes themselves are also collectible.
Noteworthy, there is another B.D.A., Inc jewelry company, registered in Providence in 1987, which ceased to exist in 1995. However, it has nothing to do with Budlong, Docherty & Armstrong, Inc. For the short period of its existence, B.D.A., Inc owned four jewelry trademarks. Among them – BDA (1978-1985), Prelude (1980-1987), Elan (1978-1985) and Profiles Of Love (1978-1984).
Art Nouveau Woman portrait pewter pendant
Two owls pewter pendant
Swirl design post earrings. 10 K gold, sterling silver
Sapphire and turquoise 10 K gold rings. 1940s
Oval shaped black onyx 10 K gold screw back earrings
Libra and Pisces Zodiac sign oval shape pewter pendants
Flower screw back earrings. 10 K gold, faux pearls
Faux pearl 10 K yellow gold clip earrings
Emerald 10 K gold ring. 1930s
Cultured pearl 10 K white and yellow gold earrings
Carved carnelian cameo 10 K gold ring. 1950s
Cameo 10 K gold earrings
Berry earrings. 10 K gold, cultured pearls
Antique gold leaf screw back earrings. 10 K gold, blue gem
Maker’s mark
Trademark owned by Budlong, Docherty & Armstrong since 1943
