The R. Blackinton Building — circa 1862
A Heritage of Quality and Craftsmanship since 1862
Six Generations of Excellence
1862 — R. Blackinton & Co Founded
North Attleboro, MA
As the Civil War raged, Roswell Blackinton (Susanne Ross Blackinton-Juaire’s great-great-grandfather) co-founded R. Blackinton & Co with Walter Ballou; a full silver house that specialized in silver and goldsmithing, engraving, enameling, metal spinning, and more. The company stands as a significant chapter in the history of American silverware and jewelry manufacturing.
Into the early 20th century, R. Blackinton & Company increased its lines to include, at various times, sterling silver jewelry, dresser ware, fancy table pieces, novelties, and 14 karat gold merchandise. In 1937, the company added an exclusive line of fine Sterling flatware and hollowware for retail jewelers. It remained for over 100 years under the management of its founding families until its sale in 1967.
One of the company’s notable achievements occurred in the mid-1960s when their Marie Louise flatware pattern was selected by the U.S. State Department. This elegant design was chosen for use in all United States embassies around the world, serving as a testament to the company’s reputation for producing items of exceptional quality and design. A heritage of quality craftsmanship that S. R. Blackinton continues today.
1967 — R. Blackinton & Co Sold.
1969 — New England Sterling Founded
Ross Blackinton
(Susanne’s father)
North Attleboro, MA
2001— New England Sterling is Sold to Cookson America.
2000— New England Copperworks Founded
Bill Juaire
Smithfield, Rhode Island
2018 — S. R. Blackinton Founded
Susanne, Bill and Skyla
Smithfield, Rhode Island
From left: Skyla Blackinton-Juaire, Bill Juaire, Susanne Ross Blackinton-Juaire
Susanne Ross Blackinton-Juaire was born into her trade.
Beginning with her great-great grandfather Roswell Blackinton in 1862, this steadfast lineage of silversmiths and goldsmiths have epitomized the profession’s highest standards of design and manufacturing achievement for six generations. Today, Susanne is the standard bearer of this proud legacy and together with her husband, Bill Juaire and their daughter, Skyla, continues this extraordinary tradition.
Susanne entered the family business as a teenager, working after school in the packing department of New England Sterling. “The workplace was my bond with my dad,” she recalls fondly. “I loved to watch the silversmiths, especially as they created awesome trophies”. As it happens, this included none other than the distinguished Kentucky Derby® trophy.
Always working with her hands, always expressing her own artistic nature, Susanne began training with the lead silversmith at New England Sterling — the renowned Walter Bigos. Walter took her under his wing, mentoring
Susanne & Walter
her in the art of old-world craftsmanship techniques. “It was the best training I could have had; I became Walter’s right hand ‘man.’ Walter was like a second father to me. I loved him dearly and my debt to him can never be repaid”, says Susanne.
During this training, a determined young girl made a promise to herself — one that has special resonance today… “someday I will make the Kentucky Derby® trophy”. And today, alongside her husband and daughter, does just that.
It was also at New England Sterling that Susanne met her husband, Bill Juaire, whose metal spinning skills were as rare as they were highly developed. In early 2000, Bill founded New England Copperworks, specializing in the finest quality copper home and garden ornamentals available, which quickly developed a reputation for excellence.
Bill & Susanne
In 2006, Susanne joined Bill at New England Copperworks adding the design and manufacture of silver and gold items to their product catalog. This expansion of products gave birth to a new area of business — fine silver works and jewelry. The extraordinary talents of both Bill and Susanne, along with a valued staff of skilled craftspeople, continued the tradition of creating some of the most coveted awards in sports, including The BIG3 Championship and The Preakness Stakes trophies.
In 2018, the S. R. Blackinton division was formally founded as the brand moniker for all silver and gold creations — including the exclusive Derby Gold Jewelry Collection, custom trophies and awards, heirloom baby gifts, and a discerning line of homeware items featuring sterling silver mint julep cups.