Benedetto Panetta was born in Naples, where he studied working with precious metals (especially platinum) and had his own small jewelry store. In 1901, he emigrated to the United States, where he soon got a job as a designer at Trifari, America’s largest costume jewelry company.
In 1945, when Trifari moved from New York to Providence, he chose to stay in New York and start his own company. Part of Trifari’s employees stayed with him in the new company, which he named after himself – Panetta.
The company’s slogan was “If it doesn’t look real, it’s sent back to the drawing board.” And, indeed, the products that the company produced were distinguished by the fact that they looked like real jewelry. When creating them, the best materials were used, all jewelry was produced in small batches.
Prices for jewelry Panetta from the very beginning were quite high. In 1995 the company ceased to exist. All Panetta jewelry is collectible. Jewelery with crystals in the Art Deco style is especially appreciated.
