Lisner Jewelry

D. Lisner and Company was founded in New York in 1904, first as an importer and distributor and later as a maker in its own right. For much of its early life the firm sold jewelry under other names, and the Lisner mark did not come into regular use until the late 1930s. Its golden age was the 1950s and 1960s, when Lisner produced the moulded Lucite leaf and flower sets in soft colours that collectors now hunt in every shade from lilac to root beer.

Marks help with dating. The earlier signature is Lisner in a flowing script. Block capitals took over in the mid-1950s, and the copyright symbol indicates 1955 or later. The firm merged with Richelieu in the late 1970s and production ended in the mid-1980s. Sources differ on the year the script mark was retired, so we treat lettering as a guide rather than a rule and look at stones and findings too.

What to look for: aurora borealis rhinestones with no clouding, Lucite without crazing, and complete sets of brooch, earrings, necklace and bracelet. Lisner remains affordable for the quality, and a good leaf set is the most cheerful thing you can wear on a grey afternoon. For more mid-century rhinestone brilliance, our Weiss collection is the natural next stop.