1950s Monet Ruffeleer Brooch | Fit For a Queen

About Monet

The Beginning

Michael and Joseph Chernow took a gamble in 1927 using proceeds from their father’s shirtwaist company and started Monocraft to capitalize on the craze for monograms.  The brothers developed a process for metal monogramming first for autos and later for handbags.  

In the 1930s, they started manufacturing jewelry with monograms originally under the Monocraft name.  By the end of the decade, they launched a costume jewelry collection named Monet.

Success As Monet

Monet found its design direction in the 1940s when Edmond Mario Granville joined the company as the principal designer. Known for its triple-plated jewelry, Michael Chernow developed many innovations in the manufacture of costume jewelry.  He patented a design for clip earrings that made them much more comfortable plus a design for continuous metal bangles.  

Some of the early jewelry used colored stones but by the 1940s Monet made only gold and silver metal jewelry, sometimes with enamel.  Colored stones reappeared starting in the 1980s.

In 1977 Monet launched Ciani, a fine jewelry line in 14-carat gold, sterling silver, and vermeil. Some pieces included onyx, ivory, semi-precious stones, and pave diamonds. 

New Partners

A longtime family business with multi-generations of employees, Michael Chernow sought a business partner to continue the company after his brother’s death.  He found that partner when General Mills bought the company in 1968, keeping the current management in place.  After a successful run under the capable management of General Mills, Monocraft and Monet were sold to Crystal Brands Apparel Group in 1985.              

Downturn

As American-made jewelry gave way to cheaper imports, the company eventually filed for bankruptcy, Liz Claiborne purchased Monet in 2000.  Claiborne created The Monet Group, which includes Trifari and Marvella.  Like so many other storied names in costume jewelry, production moved overseas, and Monet offers jewelry of much lesser quality today.

Highly Collectible Jewelry

Collectors prize vintage Monet for its quality. Thanks to triple plating, it’s not unusual for Monet pieces to be in amazing condition even after over 50 years of wear.  Monet jewelry is always marked with the company name.