Solomon W. Laykin; Founded Laykin et Cie Jewelers
Jeweler Solomon W. (Sol) Laykin, whose firm Laykin et Cie counted Mae West, Merle Oberon and Sonja Henie among its customers, has died in Los Angeles, a company spokeswoman said Monday.
Laykin, 82, had been treated for pancreatic cancer since last August, and he died Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Alicia Truesdale, his executive assistant.
Laykin opened his first store on Sunset Boulevard in 1935, and four years later opened his first jewelry salon at what was then the new I. Magnin store on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles.
The firm, which specializes in estate jewelry, later opened jewelry departments in I. Magnin stores in La Jolla, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago, Palm Springs and Carmel. Last year, Laykin et Cie opened free-standing stores in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, San Francisco’s Ritz Carlton and in Chicago.
Laykin was born in St. Joseph, Mo., and moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was 12. He graduated from Los Angeles High School and later earned a law degree, although he never practiced.
Laykin is survived by his wife, Alice; a daughter, Melinda Brun; sons, Joel, of Hong Kong, and Michael, and five grandchildren.
Services are scheduled at 3 p.m. Thursday at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park.
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