(1810-Present)

One of America’s oldest fine jewelers, Black, Starr and Frost traces its roots to 1810. In that year, Erastus Barton and Frederick Marquand opened Marquand and Barton near New York’s Maiden Lane. The firm added and lost partners numerous times. It also frequently moved locations in accordance with the addresses of its prestigious clientele. Its merchandise was eclectic and greatly varied including, lamps, jewelry, paintings, porcelain, and artistic objects.
In 1876, the firm changed its name from Black, Ball, and Co. to Black, Starr, and Frost, and moved to 251 Fifth Avenue. Its inventory became focused on jewelry and silver objects, some imported from Europe, some produced in-house. For many decades, Black, Starr, and Frost was considered one of the great American jewelers. In 1876, it was invited to exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia along with renowned firms like Tiffany & Co. Whiting, and Gorham.
In 1939, the firm was one of five American jewelers invited to exhibit at New York’s World’s Fair. 1 While it was never an innovator in the realm of jewelry design, Black, Star, and Frost has produced exquisite jewelry in almost every era. In 1929, it merged with Gorham to become Black, Starr, Frost—Gorham. In 2006, Alfredo Molina acquired the firm.
Though its flagship store in New York is now closed, the firm still has a location in Costa Mesa, California.



Maker's Marks & Timeline
Black Starr and Frost
Country | |
---|---|
City | New York NY |
Shape | shield |
Symbol | bird, eagle, shield |
Era | e.1801 |
Specialties
Prestigious Jewelers
- Cortlandt Starr (1833-1888) – distinguished during the Civil War – turned jewelry maker.
- Small versions of European style diamond jewelry items, bows, flowers, leaves, etc.
1801
- Marquand & Paulding, Savannah Georgia.
1810
- Moved to New York City.
1932
- Marquand & Bros.
1833
- Marquand & Co.
1939
- Ball, Thomkins & Black.
1851
- Ball, Black & Co.
- Specialized in imported jewelry and rare gems.
- Participated in the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London.
1876
- B, S & F moved to 251 Fifth Ave NY.
- Cortland Starr & Aaron Frost became partners forming Black, Starr & Frost.
- Participated in the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.
1893
- Participated in the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago.
1898
- Moved to 29th and Fifth Ave.
1939-40
- Exhibited at the New York World’s Fair.
1929 -1966
- Merged with Gorham to become: Black, Starr & Gorham.
- 48th & Fifth Avenue, NY.
1972
- Owned by Kay Jewelers
1990
- Owned by Sterling, Inc.
2006
- Purchased by Molina, Inc. Phoenix AZ.
Related Reading
Sources
- Proddow, Penny & Debra Healy. American Jewelry: Glamour & Tradition. New York: Rizzoli, 1987.
- Traina, John. Extraordinary Jewels. New York: Double Day, 1994.
- Black, Star, & Frost Website: www.blackstarrfrost.com