Designer of the Week
Who is JJ?
Dates of Operation - 1935 to 2006
Design Characteristics - Figural Pins, and Christmas Jewelry, Great detail, Pewter often used, Novelty designs, All with signature marks.
©2007 Vintage Jewelry Lane
The company was originally founded in 1935 in Providence, Rhode Island, under the name of Providence Jewelry Company (later changed to Jonette Jewelry). The owner was Abraham Lisker, who was originally trained as a physician, but who gave up this career to begin what would be his life's work. His brother Nathan joined the company in 1937 and the company became known as Lisker & Lisker.
J.J. is the registered trademark of the Jonette Jewelry Company. The owner Abraham has said that the company moved in the direction of figural pins because their earlier ballerina and mother of pearl figurals were very popular. The designs are very well made, and above average in quality and so whimsical and fun!
The second world war interrupted the production of the company when Abraham closed the doors of the company and enlisted in the army for a two year tour of duty. He returned to Providence and renamed the company Jonette Jewelry Company, after his father John and his mother Etta.
Each piece of jewelry was hallmarked with the letters JJ on a rectangular cartouche. Cats and dogs were popular subjects, but the company also did brooches and pins in a wide variety of other animal shapes. Most of the designs all had two things in common - great detail and whimsical designs.
Abraham retired in 1972 and his son Gordon took over as the new owner. In 1986 Lisker trademarked the name "Artifacts" for an ethnic line with an antique finish, designed to look like historical artifacts. Another line at this time were those with a Southwestern motif such as coyotes, cacti, etc. The company closed in 2006.
Value of the pieces today - They should go up in value.
JJ jewelry has always been widely collected by lovers of the motifs such as dogs and cats. Expect the pieces to raise in value now that the company has ceased production.
Design Mark - JJ mainly on a cartouche with the trademark sign - also engraved in the metal itself.
© Vintage Jewelry Lane
To view other articles on the designers, please visit the designer of the week archives.
To view other articles on the designers, please visit the designer of the week archives.
