Signed Cinerama vintage costume jewelry
Signed Cinerama vintage costume jewelry
History of Cinerama Jewelry Inc began in 1966 in Cranston, Rhode Island. It was a family business founded by Ralph Rafaelian (January 3, 1935 – February 18, 2012). A hereditary Armenian jeweler, Ralph was the grandson of goldsmith Melkon Rafaelian, who came to America in the early 20th century.
Ralph (Raffi) opened a jewelry factory where he designed patriotic, as well as classic floral motifs jewelry using rhinestones and crystals.
Following the family tradition, Raffi taught his daughters and they helped him in the factory from childhood.
One of them, Carolyn Rafaelian, joined the company in 1994 and became a well-known jeweler, a businesswoman who founded her own company, Alex and Ani. In addition to co-owning Cinerama, she founded dozens of jewelry brands and even became the richest female jeweler.
After her father’s death, Carolyn Rafaelian took over the management of Cinerama.