The Providence Jewelry Museum archives include many original catalogues, advertisements, directories, production records and other ephemera. The Museum is evaluating these materials for republication

Links:

Rhode Island School of Design

Vintage Fashion & Costume Jewelry Club

Society of American Silversmiths

                          

                               Cameos

"Why Providence" offers a concise history of the first 100 years of the jewelry industry as it developed in Providence, Rhode Island and nearby Attleboro and North Attleboro, Massachusetts. It was written by Rhode Island industrialist Al Weisberg. This 24 page booklet includes line drawing reprints, and five tables.  Paperbound bound copies are available through the Museum.

The story of design tells its own tale in each of the thousands of items that was created to meet the fashion of the day. The page below is from a catalogue of the Providence Art Metal Co., dating circa 1900.