Signed RNK vintage costume jewelry
Renowned costume jewelry maker Robert Newman Koch Jr
The history of the R.N.K. costume jewelry brand began in 1971 and ended in 1985. Its founder was a renowned costume jewelry maker Robert Newman Koch Jr (September 26, 1926, Buffalo, NY – July 2, 2006, East Orleans, Massachusetts). Veteran of World War II, he served in the navy as a radio operator in the Pacific. After graduating from the college he joined the legendary Coro jewelry company and finally became its president.
Robert Newman Koch Jr. founded his family business R.N. Koch, Inc., in 1971. The office of the company was on the 5th Avenue in his native New York, and the factory was in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
When making jewelry by hand, the company’s craftsmen used high-quality gold- and silver-toned metal alloys, beautiful enamels and rhinestones. The marking on the back of the products includes the abbreviation RNK, after the name of the company’s founder. Today, made fifty years ago RNK jewelry is rarely found on the vintage jewelry market and is highly collectible.
Signed R.N.K. vintage costume jewelry (1971-1985)
