[Jewelry making - Article 00063] - Re: [Orchid] Why Rhode Island?

[Ron Pratt]

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    It all goes back to the seventeen hundreds when Gorham Silversmiths
    established their business in Providence.  They were the original
    and just about all jewelry companies were off shoots of their
    operation in one way or another.  Over the years these companies
    evolved into making jewelry, both precious and later costume lines.
    Out of necessity support companies formed, electro platers. stone
    suppliers, enamelers, findings companies and most important, all the
    basic material suppliers were located in the Providence and the
    nearby Massachusetts communities, Attleboro, and North Attleboro.
    Most of the metal manufacturers have consolidated into one major
    supplier, but several smaller metal companies have formed.  However,
    these new smaller metal supply companies lack the diversity of
    products, often limited to basic strip and wire production.  Not
    offering specialty products such as gold filled, solder filled items,
    laminated metals and thin wall custom tubing. 

    While the industry that is in place is still a vibrant part of the
    Rhode Island and Massachusetts community  - it is shrinking.  I would
    say the industry was strong up until the middle to late nineteen
    eighty's.  Labor intensive costume jewelry was the first to succumb
    to Asian competition. Costume was a  major part of the industry so
    the area has felt the loss. Most of the companies processing precious
    metals have held up well; however, some of them are not as strong as
    they once were. 

    While many of the older crafts people have passed on, there are
    still many very talented individuals in this area, from engravers to
    designers to toolmakers to everyday jewelry crafts people. And, there
    is still a strong jewelry support industry in place, but, the
    customer base has spread out to many other states. 

    The Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America is located in
    Providence as well as the Providence Jewelers Club.  MJSA's name
    originally included Silversmiths of America rather than suppliers up
    until only a few years ago. With a couple of exceptions, most of the
    hollow ware sterling silver companies have moved on. 


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