Cow: MONET

			• Public Gallery • Help

		• Join Now! • Log In • Feature Tour

Cow: MONET

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONET by Jim Katz.

Brothers Jay & Michael Chernow founded Monocraft in 1927. Monocraft began using the name Monocraft in May of 1927... They made high
quality gold plated metal initials that stores attached to handbags at the
time of purchase.

Their success and reputation for high quality monograms led them to produce
jewelry as early as 1935 (first patent)..

(Other information has said that Monet was another mark used by Monocraft Products beginning in 1937. Monocraft [using that name] continued in business for many more years. The name Monet was first used in Sept 1937 on various kinds of fashion/costume jewelry. So any jewelry marked Monet is no older than 1937.Contributed by Pat Seal).

During the 1940's most of the jewelry was gold plated sterling (vermeil).
They were famous for their modern designs as well as some amusing enameled
pins (see Cathy Gordon's post with the enameled hand pin).
Average prices in the '40s were $12-$20.00 dollars for bracelets, necklaces
& brooches & $4-$7.50 for earrings.

Groundbreaking inventions came with the Friction Ear Clip (1947 patent) that
allowed the wearer to adjust the clip to the right tension w/o constant
pressure on the ear. They later invented the Barrel Clutch for pierced
earrings - which is the industry standard. From the very beginning Monet
produced a full range of fashion earrings which they first referred to as
"Jewelry Clips" in their patents.

In the 50's & 60's Monet continued their success with classically styled
jewelry for clothes women were wearing to the office. They were also
extremely successful with their charm bracelets with charms attached by
spring rings (http://tinyurl.com/ckl8m) so that they could mix and match.

Monet was the first company to sign all their jewelry and still does to
this day.

Some of Monet's licenses were Shirley Temple, the Dionne quintuplets and
Yves St. Laurent.

In 1977 Monet produced a line called Ciani with prices as high as $500.00

During the '60s & '70s Monet ran an ad campaign with hooded models wearing
only one fabulous piece of jewelry while other companies were scurrying to
stuff as much jewelry into an ad as possible. This 20 year run of "Hooded
Woman" ads is famous in both the Advertising business as well as in the
jewelry business. See Monet Ads for examples of these
gorgeous ads.

In 1981 Monet launched a 4 year program with Yves St. Lauent w/designer
Sandy Miller Burrows (see Miller Confident Collector pg. 52 for entire
interview). All cast parts were manufactured by Monet with stones and other
parts produced and set by different companies. Avg. prices for this line
were $25.00 to $250.00. A number of items were made in limited editions of
500 and marked as 80/500 to denote the 80th piece made. Interesting note:
"The pieces that looked like poured glass were really built-up epoxy w/foil
backings. All earrings in the YSL line used Monet's friction ear clip.

Monet was always considered ahead of their time. Their jewelry was always
classic, never trendy or faddish. Many bracelets, brooches and Necklaces
contained flat metal areas that were intended for engraved initials. You
will see this in their patents.
See the gorgeous necklace on pg. 55 of Fifty Years of Collectible Jewelry
1925-1975 by Lillian Baker for an example of an adjustable collar with the
round flat slide engraved with initials.

Monet was acquired by General Mills in 1968, sold to Crystal Brands in 1989,
sold again to Chase Capital Partners and finally to Liz Claiborne in 2000.

Reference info. and examples can be seen in:
                 Price Guide to Costume Jewelry by Harrice Simons
Miller
                 Costume Jewelry by Fred Rezazadeh
                 Fifty Years of Collectible Fashion Jewelry by Lilian
Baker
                 Collectible Costume Jewelry by Cherri Simonds
                 Popular Jewelry of the '60s, '70s & '80s
                 Costume Jewelry 101 by Julia C. Carroll
                 Silver Jewelry by Fred Rezazadeh
                 Costume Jewelry The Fun of Collecting by Nancy
Schiffer
                 Inside the Jewelry Box by Ann Mitchell Pitman
                 Milky Way Jewels for the vintage ads


Stefanie Brawner
JEWELRY PATENTS.COM and click on Companies and then Monet to view Monet Patents.

Date(s): January 10, 2006. Album by Jewelry Ring. 1 - 127 of 127 Total. 1507 Visits.

1 Monet AD 1966 Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover	2 Monet Sterling from the Jim Katz Monet Collection.	3 Monet Sterling signature. From the Jim Katz Monet Collection.
4 Monet Pin Clip (Tussie Mussie) Courtesy of Jim Katz	5 Beautiful MONET Demi. Courtesy of Kathleen Engesser	6 Exceptional MONET fruit salad style necklace. Courtesy of Nona Grumpp
7 Very interesting MONET fur clip. Not sterling, perhaps rhodium. Courtesy of Cathy Gordon. See more of Cathy's Collection at Cathy's Imageevent Albums	8 Stunning MONET Parure. Courtesy of Carol Bell	9 Very Early MONET JEWELERS Heart Charm Bracelet. Courtesy of Cheri at MILKY WAY JEWELS
10 MONET Demi: Heavy gold links with a pearl accent for necklace and earrings. Courtesy of Nancy Brace	11 MONET Garnet Rhinestone Danglers. Contemporary. From the private collection of Cynthia Fore Miller.	12 MONET invention. The Friction Ear Clip (1947) used to this day.
13 Exquisite Monet Fish Pin. Courtesy of Lilly Vittetow. Lilly's Vintage Jewelry	14 MONET Enamel Demi from the 1980's. Courtesy of Adrienne Shivers at GARDEN PARTY COLLECTION	15 A rare early Monet enameled Retro fur clip. Courtesy of Adrienne Shivers.
16 Early MONOCRAFT Pin Initials FDR. Courtesy of Nancy Hopper. HOPPERSBAZAAR	17 Heavy Silverplated MONET Bracelet. This mark "MONET JEWELERS" is extremely rare. Courtesy of Sam & Yvonne Mitchell.	18 MONET Goldtone Brooch. Courtesy of Dawn from Atlanta.
19 Filigree pitcher Charm signed MONET. Courtesy of Carol Cook. ladygirl on eBay.	20 Monet Hair Clip Compliments of the Linda Jo D. Mitchell Collection	21 back view
22 MONET 1963 'Tempo Collection' Jewelry Ad~New Yorker Magazine Courtesy of Vera Battemarco	23 Golden Hours Monet Ad Courtesy of Vera Battemarco	24 Royal Plume Monet Ad Courtesy of Vera Battemarco
25 Monet charm bracelet Compliments of Vera Battemarco Vera Battemarco Vintage Jewelry!	26 Classic Monet Necklace Courtesy of Vera Battemarco	27 Monet bead Necklace Courtesy of Vera Battemarco
28 Monet goldtone Bow pin Compliments of Diana Craig Sparks Belle a Coeur Treasure Trove Vintage	29 Monet rhinestone Necklace Courtesy of Diana Craig Sparks	30 Close up view
31 Lovely Monet Pin Courtesy of Doris Lusk	32 Gorgeous Monet Bracelet Compliments of Delores Benedict Bitz of Glitz	33 Monet demi Compliments of Debi Reed My Vintage Jewels
34 Monet classic white Brooch Courtesy of Debi Reed	35 Summer white bead Bracelet Courtesy of Debi Reed	36 Monet fish pin Courtesy of Debi Reed
37 Monet set, 1947. Discoloration is glare from my scanner. Set is on page 109 in the book "Monet The Master Jewelers" by JR member Alice Vega. Compliments of Dan Day The Queen's Jewels	38 Monet Fish Pin 1980's Courtesy of Dan Day	39 Monet "Scheherazade" Brooch, 1968. Brooch is on page 194 in the book "Monet The Master Jewelers" by JR member Alice Vega. Large size piece. Courtesy of Dan Day
40 1940's Sterling Monet Horse Brooch Compliments of Dinah Hoyt Taylor DH Taylor Jewelry	41 1970's Monet Cordelia Demi Courtesy of Dinah Taylor	42 1960's Monet Chains Bracelet Courtesy of Dinah Taylor
43 Monet Parure Compliments of Dotty Stringfield Illusion Jewels Vintage Costume Jewelry	44 MONET Psychedelic Pattern Necklace with Beads Compliments of Sheri Weiss Boo Bears Baubles	45 MONET 1980s Limited Edition Fruit Juicy Lucite and Enamel Necklace and Bracelet Set Courtesy of Sheri Weiss
46 MONET Modernist Matte Finish Sculptural Necklace and Earring Set Courtesy of Sheri Weiss	47 MONET Magical Fringed Byzantine Collar Sectional Necklace 1973 Courtesy of Sheri Weiss	48 MONET Pop Art Purple Enamel Modernist Sculptural Necklace Courtesy of Sheri Weiss
49 MONET Early Dimensional Sculptural Swirling Flower and Square Gaspipe Chain Necklace Courtesy of Sheri Weiss	50 Monet Modernist Chain Necklace Compliments of Cheri Van Hoover Milky Way Jewels	51 Monet Retro Wide Link Bracelet Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover
52 1957 Monet Wide Silver Bracelet Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover	53 Monet “Bolero” Lariat Necklace Ad in Monet book shows it worn with the baubles down the back Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover	54 Very Early Monet Jewelers Heart Charm Bracelet Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover
55 Monocraft initial pin from the 1930's or 40's with my initials "D". Compliments of Dianne Lavenburg Vintage Jewelry Meadow	56 Monet bead Necklace Compliments of Rene Colon	57 Monet goldtone Bracelet Courtesy of Rene Colon
58 Monet tubogas Necklace with black enamel Compliments of Nicole St-Pierre Pop Goes My Vintage	59 Monet faux pearl brooch Courtesy of Nicole St-Pierre	60 Monet Multiple chains heavy Necklace Courtesy of Nicole St-Pierre
61 Signed Monet modern Sapphire Blue/Black Glass Etched Flowers Silver Tone Necklace Compliments of Lil Roberts Love Old Stuff Costume Jewelry	62 Monet enamel Parure Compliments of Yolanda Dewijk YosFinds	63 Monet faux Pearl Necklace Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk
64 Early Monet pin Courtesy of Yolanda Dewijk	65 Beautiful Monet necklace Compliments of Kathy Small Small Treasures on Etsy	66 Monet demi Courtesy of Kathy Small
67 Monet necklace Courtesy of Kathy Small	68 Chunky Monet Necklace Compliments of Merry Becker Vintage Merry on eBay	69 Lovely Monet Bracelet Compliments of Jan Gaughan Eclectic Vintage Jewelry and Collectibles
70 Monet Parure Compliments of Judi Bollan VintageTreasures 4U	71 Monet Set Courtesy of Judi Bollan	72 Patent for Monet set
73 Monet peapod Pin Courtesy of Judi Bollan	74 MONET FLY FURCLIP Compliments of Pat Seal Treasures From Yesterday Vintage Jewelry	75 MONET PANSY FUR CLIP Courtesy of Pat Seal
76 Monet red rhinestone Earrings Courtesy of Pat Seal	77 Monet Earrings Courtesy of Pat Seal	78 Monet bib Compliments of Erin Buffaline
79 Monet fringe Necklace Courtesy of Erin Buffaline	80 Beautiful Monet set Courtesy of Erin Buffaline	81 Gorgeous Monet Necklace Compliments of Erin Buffaline
82 Lovely Monet omega Necklace Compliments of Linda Chapple Grammas-Funky-Stuff	83 Monet parure Courtesy of Linda Chapple	84 Monet Brooch Compliments of Leila Huhman Yesterday's Rock Stars
85 Monet Ad 1963 Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover	86 Monet coin style demi with red enamel Courtesy of Nicole St-Pierre	87 Monet modernist enamel parure Courtesy of Nicole St-Pierre
88 Necklace from Monet's 1974 "Mandira" Collection Compliments of the Carole Lung Collection	89 1970s Monet Necklace Courtesy of Carole Lung	90 1960s Charm bracelet. Bracelet and all charms are signed Monet. Courtesy of Carole Lung
91 1970s Monet Cream Colored Resin Flower Courtesy of Carole Lung	92 1965 Monet Starfish Brooch and Earring Set Courtesy of Carole Lung	93 Monet Earrings Courtesy of Marisa Richardson
94 Monet dangle Earrings Compliments of Marisa Richardson	95 Monet Charm bracelet Courtesy of Marisa Richardson	96 Monet parure Compliments of Tracie Nice
97 Monet Demi Compliments of Tracie Nice	98 Monet necklace & earrings Compliments of Tracie Nice	99 Monet black and goldtone set Compliments of Tracie Nice
100 Monet figural pin Courtesy of Tracie Nice	101 Monet pin Courtesy of Susan Corwin	102 Monet goldtone set Courtesy of Susan Corwin
103 Chunky Monet bracelet Courtesy of Susan Corwin	104 Monet goldtone necklace Courtesy of Susan Corwin	105 Monet enamel set Compliments of Debi Reed
106 Monet bow brooch Courtesy of Debi Reed	107 Monet Rhinestone pin Courtesy of Debi Reed	108 Monet black glass brooch Courtesy of Debi Reed
109 Monet rope necklace Courtesy of Carrie Huot Carrie's Couture	110 Monet flower brooch Courtesy of Carrie Huot	111 Monet drop Necklace Courtesy of Carrie Huot
112 Massive Monet Necklace Courtesy of Carrie Huot	113 Monet starfish Brooch Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover Check out Cheri's Monet Pinterest page Monet Pinterest	114 Monet pendant Necklace Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover
115 Monet goldtone bracelet Courtesy of Cheri Van Hoover	116 Monet charm bracelet Courtesy of Yvonne Campbell	117 Monet flower Brooch Compliments of Yvonne Campbell
118 Monet gold tone brooch Courtesy of Yvonne Campbell	119 Monet cabochon pin Courtesy of Yvonne Campbell	120 Monet chain demi Courtesy of Kathy Small
121 Monet multi chain Necklace Courtesy of Kathy Small	122 Monet yellow & rose gold vermeil fur clip from the 40s. Courtesy of Mary Schwartz Art Deco Chic	123 Monet chain Necklace Compliments of Jane Haley Clarke MORNING GLORY ANTIQUES & JEWELRY
124 Monet Fish Bracelet Compliment of Julie Levine Jool Bait Vintage	125 Monet round Brooch Compliments of Kathy Small	126 Monet Directive Bangle Bracelet Compliments of Linda Kent Hampton Estates on eBay
127 Monet Enamel RS Pearl Necklace Earrings Courtesy of Linda Kent