Uncas was founded by Vincent Sorrentino in 1911 in Providence, Rhode Island. It was originally called the Sorrento Company, but was not named Uncas Manufacturing Company until 1922.
Uncas worked with gold, silver, and costume jewelry. The company produced many gold-plated pieces with the appropriate markings. Over time, Uncas became one of the largest manufacturers of costume jewelry rings in the country.
Some milestones in the company’s history:
In 1929, the company moved to a larger plant, where about 800 people worked.
In 1933, Vincent Sorrentino purchased Beacon Mfg. Co., a manufacturer of machine tools. He moved Beacon Co.’s equipment to the new plant.
In 1961, Uncas celebrated its 50th anniversary, becoming the largest ring manufacturer in the country. In 1991, John Corsini became the new president and continued the business with his son and daughters.
John Corsini and his son Christopher celebrated Uncas’ 100th anniversary. The company became a global manufacturer and distributor of jewelry, which was sold in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
In 2014, the company was renamed Uncas International LLC, and all assets were transferred to the new company.
Uncas continues to operate its business to this day, creating many licensed works for major companies, including Disney.
