Buyer’s Guide to Lisner Costume Jewelry

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If you are looking to add some Lisner costume jewelry to your collection, you have come to the right place. Here you will learn about the history, jewelry marks, materials used, most collectible pieces, and tips on how to buy.

There was a time when Lisner jewelry was the quintessential “junk jewelry,” selling for $1 to $5 back in the day. but the pieces were cleverly designed and well made. For the past several years, it has greatly increased in value, particularly the pieces produced in the 1950s and 1960s. Collectors came to realize that the clever shapes and bright colors of the company's cheaply made plastic leaves and baubles possess a unique beauty.

lisner jewelry ad

Brief History of Lisner Jewelry

David Lisner and his family emigrated to New York City in 1864. His father had been a merchant in Germany, and in 1869, he and his two brothers went into business selling fine goods imported from Europe (e.g., jewelry, hatpins, crystal giftware). David continued that tradition. From 1904 to his death in 1923, David and his cousin Saul owned and operated the D. Lisner Company selling jewelry imported from Europe wholesale, particularly Elsa Schiaparelli’s Parisian jewelry.

As the storm clouds of war gathered across Europe, it became difficult to impossible to import jewelry. To stay in business, the Lisner company would have to produce jewelry domestically. Fortuitously, Urie Mandle, a jewelry company owner, joined Lisner as a full partner. He moved the company to Providence, Rhode Island, a hub of jewelry manufacturing and built a retail jewelry shop there selling only “Made in America” jewelry for every taste and budget.

Another timely happening brought the Lisner company into its own: the invention of Lucite by the DuPont Company in 1931. The colored acrylic plastic was perfect for the Art Deco styles of the day. The company designed their own trendy jewelry lines with the Lucite, clear and colored rhinestones, iridescent rhinestones (such as the Aurora Borealis by Swarovski), lava stones and chrome, silver plate and lustrous black lacquered metals.

In 1953, Victor Ganz, the son of Saul, became president of Lisner. He brought with him an innate sense of aesthetics and impeccable taste honed by his life-long interest in art. He oversaw both the manufacturing and creative processes.

In the 1960s, Lisner jewelry had clean, sharp edges and a tendency toward the geometric and drew its inspiration from nature with leaves, flowers. Other notable Lisner designs featured translucent, plastic “jelly” leaves.

In the 1970s, Lisner bought the Richelieu Pearl Company and became “Lisner-Richelieu,” producing jewelry that would rank among the best of the time. In 1979, Victoria Creations bought Lisner-Richelieu, and by 1985, the jewelry no longer bore the Lisner name.

Jewelry Designers

Sidney Welicky is the only designer whose name appears in the Lisner archives. When he retired in the 1960s, Victor Ganz, president of the company, and his Vice President of Product Development, Iraida Garey became the designers. With Ganz’s artistic talents, he also designed very successful retail packaging and advertising.

Jewelry Marks

Although early Lisner designs were produced by others, they bore a Lisner mark. The marks were used year after year, which sometimes makes it difficult to determine the exact age of a piece.

  • "LISNER" in block was the mark first used in 1935.
  • "Lisner" in script was first used in 1938.
  • “LISNER ©” in block with the copyright symbol was used after 1955.
  • "Lisner" in script letters with a long L in a circle was used most often in and after 1959.
lisner mark
lisner marking
lisner signature

Materials Used in Lisner Jewelry

Lucite 

Lisner employed the DuPont Company’s invention of colored acrylic plastic, Lucite. Large, clear cabochons (stones shaped and polished into a smooth, convex top with a flat bottom) of Lucite were used to imitate rock crystals and to form “jelly” jewelry, such as translucent leaves and flowers.

They used thermoset Lucite jewelry in the 1950s-1960s, because it could be opaque or translucent and molded into almost any shape. It could have objects embedded into it, things such as abalone, shells, confetti or glitter.

Rhinestones

Clear and colored rhinestones, particularly Aurora Borealis, iridescent rhinestones by Swarovski.

Lava Stones

Lava stones, cooled volcanic lava from deep inside the earth, that can absorb essential oils so that its healing powers are contained within the jewelry you are wearing.

Chrome

Chrome plating, invented in 1924, is the electroplating of a thin layer of metal. The bright, shiny metal was popular in jewelry and home décor during the Art Deco era.

Silver

Far less expensive but equally decorative as sterling silver, silver plate is a thin layer of sterling over another metal, such as nickel.

Black Japanned Metal

Metal finished with a lustrous, black lacquer, originally developed to imitate the lacquer objects imported from Japan to Europe in the late sixteenth century.

lisner strawberry necklace

Rare Lisner Strawberry Necklace from Iridium Jewelry on Etsy

Is Lisner Jewelry Valuable?

Vintage jewelry from Lisner has only recently become collectible. In the 1990s there was a resurgence of interest in the shapes and bright colors found in Lisner pieces, so its value has gone up. Some of the most coveted items are the molded plastic oak leaf jewelry sets which were only produced for five years in the 1960s. Depending upon which piece you buy, its rarity, collectability - and if it contains any silver plate or semi-precious stones, Lisner jewelry an easily run into the hundreds of dollars.

How Much is Lisner Jewelry Worth?

The value of Lisner jewelry has increased in recent years, as collectors began to appreciate the unique beauty in its colorful pieces which were available at low prices. In most instances these days you will have to pay in the low to mid hundreds of dollars for a vintage Lisner necklace but if it is part of a relatively rare oaf leaf set including earrings or a bracelet, the cost can go up to the high hundreds or more.

Rare Lisner Jewelry 

Lisner jewelry is ageless, with its abstract geometric designs and inspiration drawn from nature including leaves, fruit and flowers. For this reason it has recently become a hot collectible item, with certain pieces now more difficult to find.  A record $610 was paid for a rare red maple leaf set of necklace, earrings and bracelet in the recent past. The set comes in many colors and shapes, but the red is one of the most coveted. Another Lisner necklace that is quite rare is the strawberry necklace. The tri-color version of this necklace, which is red, green and orange, is the most difficult to find. 

Most Collectible Lisner Jewelry

  • One of the most coveted vintage Lisner lines is the molded plastic oak-leaf jewelry which was only produced for five years in the 1960s. The Sculpted Oak Leaf set is translucent molded plastic that looks good enough to eat!
  • Some of the rarer sets are multi-colored; for example, the set called “Spring Frost” was created in different shades of gray, while the red oak leaf sets were made in a variety of colors. A red maple leaf set of necklace, bracelet and earrings sold for a record price of $610. The maple leaf sets come in at least 15 colors and myriad shapes. Some of the colors and shapes are quite rare, but it makes hunting them really fun—especially when you find them!
  • Purple colored Lisner Jelly jewelry is rare, as well as the “pink strawberry” set. If you find any, you have hit the jackpot.
  • Lastly are the Lisner floral sets.

Note: Individual pins or necklaces without matching bracelets or earrings are more affordable but not nearly as collectible or valuable as complete sets.

Vintage Lisner Earrings

Vintage Lisner earrings are readily available on the internet at modest prices. Look for colored, molded lucite screw backs or clip-ons. Some of the more expensive pieces may be made from semi-precious gems such as peridot and topaz and silver plate. Colors can range from reds to pinks, blues, green, yellow, orange and any color variation in between. Their appealing designs also vary from leaves to berries, fruits and other nature inspired shapes.

Vintage Lisner Bracelets 

Vintage Lisner bracelets are also plentiful online. Many of these have the unmistakable Lisner nature-inspired look with a wide range of leaf and leaf and berry motifs.  You will find bracelets in silver and gold tone metals, crystal, silver plate, rhinestone, lucite and glass. They are collectible, pretty pieces which are easy to wear on both casual and formal occasions - and they are well worth the money.

Tips on Buying Lisner Jewelry Online

  • Even if you are certain that you have found a genuine Lisner, make sure that it is in good condition. Watch out for the vendors who try to convince you that wear and tear is only natural with vintage jewelry.
  • Verify the signature via high-quality photos. 
  • Check the vendor’s reviews and feedback from customers.
  • Read the vendor’s "Shipping and Return Policies."
  • Ask for a guarantee of authenticity.
  • Use a safe method of payment, e.g., PayPal, in case of any disputes.

Where to Shop for Vintage Lisner Jewelry

I enjoy shopping on Etsy and eBay for vintage jewelry. The selection is huge, you can message sellers, read reviews, and sort your searches by categories to make it easier to find what you are looking for. 

Conclusion

Be sure to visit the Lisner page on Etsy. There is an absolutely phenomenal selection of vintage Lisner jewelry. Etsy is a great place to find vintage jewelry of all kinds. The site is easy to navigate and facilitates communication between you and the vendors. A big plus is supporting small businesses in this “big box” world!

Let me know if you have any questions, I am here to help!

Happy Hunting, 
Andrea

Share the Knowledge

19 thoughts on “Buyer’s Guide to Lisner Costume Jewelry”

  1. That’s interesting that the jewelry could get a shiny finish with electroplating. I like the sound of having it look all shiny and new. maybe I’ll have to get someone to help me with that so I could make some old jewelry look nice.

    Reply
  2. Did Lisner ever use glass? I have a pair of earrings with floral shapes that look and feel more like molded glass than plastic.

    Reply
    • Hi Jo Anne, it can be tough to tell. I don’t think Lisner used much glass, it is possible that it is lucite, which is a harder and heavier plastic. You can read this article on how to tell the difference between plastic and glass beads, it may be helpful. Also, I found this thread with tips on telling plastic and glass jewelry apart. Hopefully that helps!

      Reply
  3. Good morning,I wslucky enough to find 2 LISNER brooches in good condition.Both are large and so amazing.BOoth are leafs.One has pearls and the other rhinestones.How do I know what to sell it for.They are both marked.One is 55mm and the other 60mm.Than you for your awesome column.

    Reply
    • Hi Jacoba, sounds like you have a nice find! I usually check Etsy and eBay and see what is listed and for how much. I checked Etsy for and it looks like Lisner Leaf brooches sell for about $50.

      Reply
  4. Hello!
    We run an all volunteer thrift shop dedicated to foster/adoptive children in San Marcos CA. We received a pair of LISNER clip on earrings and are not sure of the worth.
    LISNER is all caps with the circle and we think it is a C in the middle.
    There are three white circles with three diamond like stones.
    Just wondering what we should charge!
    Any help would be appreciated!

    Reply
  5. Wow, I had no idea that some branded vintage jewelry originated more than a century ago and is still in circulation today! My friend is thinking of ways to spice up her appeal before meeting other people on a dating app that she installed. I should let her know about antique jewelry so that she'd have many options!

    Reply
    • Hey Zachary,

      Good idea! Antique jewelry dates back more than 100 years and includes Victorian (1837-1901), Edwardian (1901-1910) Art Nouveau (1890-1914) and Art Deco (1920-1930). Vintage jewelry is less than 100 years old, and estate jewelry means that it has been previously owned, regardless of its age. Your friend will have lots to chat about if she is into antique jewelry. Great conversation starter!

      All the best,
      Susannah

      Reply
  6. Hi! Can somebody tell me please if there is a catalog or any book for Lisner? I think the collectors really need it! If I understood correctly there is a names for the Lisner jewelry sets like Sarah Coventry have in the catalog. I would like to participate to create this book or catalog like graphical designer. Look for any enthusiasts or amateurs of Lisner.

    Reply
    • Hi Svetlana,

      We haven’t found a definitive catalog of Lisner’s jewelry anywhere, so this would be a good project for someone! There are lots of Lisner enthusiasts out there who would appreciate a catalog. Let us know if you decide to go ahead, so we can see if we can help you further.

      All the best,
      Susannah

      Reply
  7. Hello, I recently acquired a lisner brooch and can’t find anything like it online. I’m hoping you can help or point me in the right direction to get answers. It’s a round filigree flower with 2 layers of leaves and the center has many long prongs with clear stones. Any help is appreciated.

    Reply
  8. Is it possible that Lisner used genuine pearls in their brooches? I have a gold tone leaf brooch with 5 pearls. I did the “tooth test” on them and they seem real to me. I plan to list it on ebay and would like to be accurate in the description. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hi Mindy,

      We have not come across genuine pearls in any Lisner pieces. As you know, Lisner was known for using imitation pearls, but here are some other tests you can try. Do your pearls have slight irregularities? Do they feel cool to the touch? Do they feel heavy? Do they have a nacre coating, rather than a thin coating over a plastic or glass core? If the answer is yes to all these, they are real. Are you sure you feel a grittiness against your teeth? Try the test again, as you’ll want to give a correct description of them.

      If they pass all the tests above, please let us know. We’re not infallible!
      Susannah

      Reply

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