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MJSA History Timeline
1900s: The New England Manufacturing Jewelers Association is incorporated in the State of Rhode Island in 1903. The original incorporators are Frank T. Pearce of F.T. Pearce Co; William A. Copeland of Martin-Copeland Co.; Samuel A. Baldwin; Theodore W. Foster of Theodore W. Foster Co.; Henry Thresher, Waite Thresher Co.; and Albert A. Bushee of A.A. Bushee and Co. MJSA becomes involved in the 1906 stamping legislation, provides relief to the victims of the San Francisco earthquake, and influences the 1909 Payne-Aldrich tariff bill.
1910s: President William Howard Taft attends the Annual Banquet in 1910, addressing more than 700 members and guests. Former preacher Woodward Booth is hired as the Association’s first full-time paid manager in 1912. He becomes very active with tariff issues, and prepares a manual showing classifications pertaining to the jewelry and silverware industries.
1920s: The Association establishes a Stamping Committee in 1923, promoting several revisions to stamping legislation, including protection to both consumers and the producers of jewelry. In 1925, NEMJSA creates two resource "bureaus," one for used equipment and the other for member products. The success of the latter leads, in 1927, to the publication of the first Buyers’ Guide ; the Guide remains a biennial publication thereafter. Also that year, the Association establishes its headquarters at the Sheraton Biltmore Hotel in Providence.
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1930s: In 1930, NEMJSA and the U.S. Department of Commerce conduct the most ambitious survey of the jewelry industry up to that time; results pinpoint distribution as the area in greatest need of attention. Following the death of Woodward Booth in December 1930, Edward Otis Jr. is named Executive Secretary in 1932. Based on survey results, Otis and NEMJSA create "color cards" and fashion bulletins to help manufacturers present more complementary lines to distribution outlets. Following passage of the National Industrial Recovery Act, the government requests that the Association be the N.R.A. Code Authority for low- and medium-priced jewelry. With this move comes increased membership among jewelers outside of New England.
1940s: After severe restrictions early in World War II, the Association uses its Washington contacts to obtain raw materials. It also helps the industry successfully transition to war-related work after December 1941, ultimately achieving a 70% conversion rate. Following the war, a school is set up for disabled veterans to learn the skills necessary for employment in the jewelry industry. In 1946, the Association creates an industrial engineering division to convert factories from wartime to peacetime activities. One of the division’s engineers, George R. “Dick” Frankovich, is named Executive Secretary of NEMJSA in 1948. Efforts begin for the repeal of a 20% excise tax on luxury goods, imposed during wartime but continued by Congress following the end of hostilities.
1950s: Intensive lobbying by NEMJSA and other industry organizations leads to a bill reducing the national excise tax on luxury goods from 10% to 20%, but the bill is tabled upon the outbreak of fighting in Korea. NEMJSA once again helps its member overcome wartime shortages, securing metal exemptions and advocating the use of alternative materials. In 1953, NEMJSA and the Manufacturing Jewelers Sales Association co-sponsor a “Market Week” for its member companies selling to wholesale buyers; the showing is conducted at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence. Two years later, the two associations follow the same format to create what they now call the United Jewelry Show (UJS). The UJS would continue into the late 1990s.
In 1956, the Association becomes a national organization under the name Manufacturing Jewelers & Silversmiths of America. That same year, AJM Magazine is published for the first time, and the Jewelers Shipping Service is implemented, allowing members to economically ship their jewelry. (It later changes its name to the Jewelers Shipping Association.) More trade show growth occurs in 1959 with the first Convention-Exposition in Providence—the basis for what becomes Expo Providence, the pre-eminent trade show in New England for the next four decades.
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1960s: In 1961, MJSA helps to amend the 1906 Stamping Act, adding a requirement that jewelry be stamped with both a quality mark and a manufacturer’s registered trademark. Also that year, to help its members build sales overseas, MJSA forms an export assistance program. In 1962, it secures exhibition space at the Hanover Fair in West Germany, then the industry’s leading international show. MJSA subsequently creates an export department, and in 1964 it receives the E-for-Export Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 1965, MJSA again secures a legislative victory, playing a prominent role in the repeal of the excise tax on luxury goods. In 1968, to increase exposure in the New York City area, MJSA co-sponsors the first Convention-Exposition in New York City, the precursor to MJSA’s wholly owned Expo New York.
1970s: In 1970, MJSA is admitted to the International Confederation of Jewellery, Silverware, Diamonds, Pearls and Stones (later called the World Jewellery Confederation). Highlights for 1971 include the creation of a Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurance program for smaller members and the expansion of membership to “guild” members (those who work alone or employ only a few individuals). The early years of the decade also bring more influence to the New York City area: MJSA becomes sole owner of the New York Convention-Exposition, and a New York representative is added to the staff.
The Association’s involvement with the campaign to end tolerances on gold goods begins in 1973, eventually leading to the passage of a related law three years later. In 1974, at the Basel Fair in Switzerland, the Association hosts an American exhibit at a hotel in the city. In 1975, the first group casualty program for members is established, and the Rhode Island Legislative Committee is formed to monitor industry-related legislation. In conjunction with the Retail Jewelers of America, the Permanent International Jewelry Exhibit opens in the Time Life Building in 1976; it becomes a prime retail and wholesale shopping destination for several years. To meet the demands resulting from expansion outside of New England, the first New York Gala (still an annual event) and a West Coast equipment and supplier exposition are held in 1976. Also that year, the Association creates the Jewelry Institute in Providence, a non-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of jewelry skills. (The Institute’s name will be changed in 1987 to the Jewelry Foundation.)
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1980s: In 1980, MJSA debuts the American Pavilion at the Basel Fair, the first pavilion granted to a non-member of the European Economic Community; the pavilion will continue under MJSA’s sponsorship for the next 20 years. MJSA also begins to battle the growing threat of imports; in addition to fighting against further tariff reductions and for changes in the Generalized System of Preferences program, the Association tries to open foreign markets to its members. In 1982, it launches an Export Assistance Project and meets with Japanese officials in Tokyo to discuss mutual trade. The Association later initiates a computerized Foreign Buyers Service, publishes The Jewelry Manufacturer’s Guide to International Markets , and secures pavilion space at Inhorgenta (Munich), VicenzaOro (Italy), the International Spring Fair in Birmingham, England, and the Chibi shows in Milan.
In 1985, the Jewelry Institute is sold, and two years later MJSA forms the non-profit Jewelry Foundation, which, among other duties, administers student scholarships. Dick Frankovich retires in 1986, and Matt Runci is named Executive Director. In 1988, following the growth of shipping competition and the decline of manufacturing in New England, the Jewelers Shipping Association declares bankruptcy, and MJSA—one of JSA’s creditors—ends its affiliation with the shipper. Facing a resulting deficit of more than $500,000, MJSA sets in motion what will become a triumphant turnaround. After nearly 50 member companies and individuals loan the association $125,000 to stabilize its finances, MJSA develops a new strategic plan and, within five years, pays back the loan ahead of schedule.
1990s: As part of its new strategic plan, MJSA discontinues Expo West, forms a National Government Affairs Committee, institutes the American Vision Awards design competition, and creates an information and referral service called InfoSource. In 1991, MJSA forms the Jewelry Industry Revitalization Project, leading many companies to greater productivity and new markets. For its efforts the Association is elected to the prestigious "Associations Advance America" honor roll by the American Society of Association Executives.
In 1994, MJSA headquarters is moved to One State Street in Providence. In 1995, MJSA presents the first Manufacturing Pavilion at AGTA GemFair. Later that year, James F. Marquart is named President/CEO of MJSA, following Matt Runci’s appointment as Executive Director of Jewelers of America. In 1997, the Jewelry Foundation is restructured as the MJSA Education Foundation, which implements new skills training programs. By the end of the decade, MJSA has a new name—Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America. It also has an increased presence on the West Coast, after opening an office in Los Angeles in 1998 and cosponsoring a tabletop equipment and supply show, LA Technology Showcase, which for the next several years brings East Coast suppliers to the nation’s second-largest jewelry manufacturing center.
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2000s: The decade begins with MJSA building its present-day headquarters on Royal Little Drive in Providence. Also in 2000, the MJSA Education Foundation sponsors its first Golf Tournament, which becomes an annual event. The MJSA/AJM Press book division debuts in 2001. That same year, MJSA starts an outreach program to ensure Los Angeles manufacturers comply with local health and safety codes; the results are so successful that it leads to a national "Safe and Secure" safety program. In 2002, MJSA teams with FedEx to offer discounts on secure shipping; the program attracts so many retailers that the Association creates a new Jewelry Buyer/Retailer category of membership. In 2003, Expo New York moves to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and MJSA begins management of the new Equipment, Tools, and Supplies Pavilion at the JCK Las Vegas show. In 2004, the MJSA Jewelry Academy debuts, as do the AJM Innovation Awards, part of an overall outreach program to spur on innovation throughout the industry. In 2005, the Gems & Jewelry Showcase debuts at Expo New York, adding a new dimension to the industry’ oldest trade show dedicated to jewelry manufacturing. And in October of that year, Frank Dallahan succeeds James F. Marquart as president/CEO of MJSA. In 2006, AJM Magazine is renamed MJSA Journal as part of an association re-branding. In 2009, following a strategic review of all association activities, David Cochran becomes president/CEO of MJSA.