Ultra Craft costume jewellery

31.12.2015

80 1 minute read

Ultra craft costume jewellery is collectible and rare, and some pieces are even unique. The founder of the brand was Italian jeweler Luigi B. Guadagno, born May 13th, 1936 in Alife, Caseta, Italy. A son of Carlo and Giovanna (Scirocco) Guadagno, Luigi had lived in Gloucester for five years, formerly living in Warwick. When he was 22, he had served as mayor in the town of Alife in Italy, and was the recipient of the Outstanding Citizen Award for his philanthropy in the town.

He graduated from Naples University with a degree in agronomy. But the fate prepared for him a different way – a natural talent and desire for art led him to jewellery business. As most jewelers of the time, he emigrated to the US. In 1970, in Rhode Island, 34 year-old Luigi founded his own jewelry company Ultra craft Co. Inc.

The extraordinary vintage shoulder brooch with cowboy hats, marked Ultra Craft, 1980s — The extraordinary vintage shoulder brooch with cowboy hats, 1980s

Most of Ultra Craft costume jewellery – brooches, earrings were released in small quantities in the 70s and 80s of the last century, marked “Ultra Craft®”. Their favorite subjects were stars, cats, people profiles and the Sun-Moon. Ultra craft costume jewellery is collectible and rare, some pieces are even unique. Luigi contributed to Miss America and Miss Universe beauty pageants, for which he created the crowns in the 1980s.

Angels. Brooch by Ultra — Angels vintage brooch

Luigi B. Guadagno was a member of the International Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Association, besides, he was an avid horticulturist. Luigi B Guadagno died on Friday, July 5th, 2002 at the age of 66. Luigi B. Guadagno had a large family – his wife, four daughters, Giovanna, Maria, Gina, and Mona; and six grandchildren. He was buried in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston.