KGC Maker's Mark Trademark

07/02/2020
by Nancy Janeliunas

The letter mark KGC is found on many mid 1900's to the 3rd quarter of the 1900's jewelry. They do not appear to be imported goods and there seems to be quite a mystery on who the maker actually is. A number of names are associated with the mark mainly the Kimberly Gem Company in the Jeweler's Building on 47th Ave New York City.

Another name brought up is maker A H Schreiber, Providence Rhode Island, in business 1897 -1910 as they are listed as using the trade name "Kimberly". However we can rule them out automatically as a possibility as there is a large quantity of KGC marked jewelry and A.H. Schreiber was only in business 13 years around the turn of the 20th century and all KGC items are mid century to modern era.

In a 1904 Jeweler's Circular book, "Kimberly Gem" was listed as a subdivision of Albert Lorsch & Co, at 37 Maiden Lane, NYC. It's not listed with the "Co" at the end though. They are noted as manufacturers of jewelry set with imitation and synthetic stones but no mention of the business after 1922 so this option can be excluded too.

The Parker Pen Co also used the brand name Kimberly, along with Towle Silversmith's but neither of the companies entered the trademark Kimberly for use with jewelry.

So from the above information collected on the trademark of KGC which was noted on an online site to be registered in 1951, under the Kimberly Gem Co address at 62 West 47th Street, New York. When you try to verify this information there is no record of any legal filings under this name at all, never mind in 1951. There is no listings in the JCK under Kimberly Gem Co so there is no information to go on of its existence beyond posts mentioning it's name. Did they even exist and where is the documentation to prove that the Kimberly Gem Co used the mark KGC? One post mentioned a finding filed in 1951 with a link that was not active. That was the only hint as to where to find this information. The inactive link showed a trademark registration number that started CA which tells us that it is a Canadian registered mark. With this hint a lookup was done in the Canadian trademark database and there it was located...the verification needed to document the business's name, location and years that is was in business. The KGC letter mark is also used without the background cartouche.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Date of first use in CANADA March 10, 1949

14 - Precious and semi-precious metals, and jewellery

Comments

Great article and thank you! I recently came across a KGC 10K men's ring and did some further digging that all included "Kimberly Gem Co. Inc.". There are multiple 1941-1942 Hollywood, Photography, Mystery and Science Fiction style magazines in the Wayback Machine that all have advertisements for their gold and silver, men's and women's rings with Zircon and Blu-Brite (trademark) gemstones, offered a catalog through the mail, and had actual showrooms at 503 5th Avenue, New York. The 1969 American Horologist and Jeweler magazine shows they were then acquired by Designcraft Jewel Industries of New York, and Jewelers Circular Keystone magazine shows in 1973 a trademark listing KGC for Kimberly Gem Co. Inc. I have noticed in other New York area jewelry that trademarks are in use decades before they become registered and the same may be here. I have not found much concrete evidence in the US Patent and Trademark data without further digging, but feel this is more than enough evidence that KGC certainly is Kimberly Gem Co. Inc. of New York. I also found in the 1922 Trademarks of the Jewelry and Kindred Trade catalog your reference of Kimberly Gem to Lorsch & Co. and feel that must be the original company name. This is similar to, for example, ArtCarved rings. ArtCarved was a trademark line made by J.R. Wood & Sons, but the ArtCarved line was so popular, it became the company name. Hope this helps! I love finding the history behind antique and vintage USA made jewelry!
Very interesting article! I do find it quite fascinating to know more about jewellery brands/ companies from the past and this site is really a “gold mine” for an amateur like me. Do you think you can help me out with another jewelry marking? I happen to own a silver Art Deco marcasite and amethyst ring with the markings “TH” on it. From what others said, it may be a reproduction from the eighties, but I am not really sure. A history of a potential jeweller would help or any information.

~Many thanks in advance for everything!
Write a review