Gem Craft Founder Dies at 101

Gene Verri, a leading designer who founded Gem Craft, died on Dec. 30 at the age of 101.

In the 1930s, Verri took classes at the Rhode Island School of Design while working part time. He was awarded top honors in jewelry design by the New England Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths Association in 1933.

After working at Coro in the mid-1960s, Verri started his own company, Gem Craft, which creates fashion jewelry for designers such as Oscar de La Renta and Kenneth Jay Lane. Verri worked at the bench until his 101th year.

Verri is survived by his wife, Mary C. (Giammatteo) Verri, three sons, and seven grandchildren.

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