Vintage Octagonal Faceted Gold Tone Bangle Bracelet

Monet: The Gold Standard of American Costume Jewelry
The story of Monet is one of innovation, quality, and a relentless pursuit of high-fashion aesthetics in costume jewelry. It began not as "Monet," but as Monocraft Products Co., founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1927 by Russian immigrant brothers Michael and Jay Chernow. Initially, Monocraft specialized in creating distinctive, high-quality monograms for handbags.
However, the Chernow brothers soon recognized a burgeoning market for sophisticated, yet affordable, jewelry. In 1937, they officially launched their jewelry line under the now-iconic name Monet. This pivotal moment marked their entry into a realm where they would become true pioneers.
What set Monet apart from its contemporaries, especially in the era when costume jewelry was often considered merely an imitation of fine jewelry, was its unwavering commitment to quality and design originality. Monet didn't simply copy fine jewelry; it created its own unique designs, often inspired by high fashion and contemporary art trends, but always with an accessible price point.