Sten Laine vintage silver jewelry

Sten Laine vintage silver jewelry (1969-1978)
Finnish Turku based goldsmiths Hans Sten and Karl Laine founded Sten & Laine company in 1969 and began manufacturing jewelry. The start of their business was very successful, and the company sold jewelry in Finland, Germany and Sweden. Karl Laine’s iconic oxidized modernist design jewelry pieces set with rock crystal became very popular.
However, the success of the company led to some disagreements between its founders. Karl Laine quit working for the company in 1976 and sold part of his shareholding in 1978 to the limited partnership Sten & Laine (later Sten Co). Between 1989 and 1990, Sten Co transferred his business, jewelry manufacturing, and part of his staff to Swiss Investment Consulting Ltd. Finally, Sten Co went bankrupt in 1991.
From 1976 until 1978, Karl Laine made jewelry designs for another Finnish silversmith company – Pertti Peuri. These pieces are marked with engraved letters “KL”. Noteworthy, Karl Laine gave the right to use his signature in new jewelry designed by other people until 1994.
Traditionally, the marking included various signs. In particular, waves logo in box, 925 for sterling silver, city mark of Turku, Fin (Finland), KL or sten & laine mark, letter and number for the year of manufacture. For example, Y7 (1976), or E8 for 1982, etc.

Sten Laine vintage silver jewelry