A family of immigrants from Russia John Lisker (1881-1954) and Etta Lisker (1882–1939) married on 20 June 1904 in Providence, Rhode Island. The couple had six children, two daughters Frieda Lisker (1913–2004) and Rose Lisker (1917-2009), and four sons. The sons followed in their father’s footsteps and made the jeweler’s family name famous. They were – Albert Lisker (1906-1988), Hyman Lisker (1908–1982), Abraham Lisker (1911–2002), and Nathan Lisker (1915-1988).

The Lisker brothers originally entered the jewelry business in 1933, establishing their own companies in Providence. Thus, the eldest brother, Albert Lisker partnered with Maurice W. Handel and Eugene J. Sullivan, Jr to form Lisker & Rossi Inc.

Hyman Lisker partnered with Eugene Sullivan and M. Leohning to form the Providence Ornament Co., Inc. The third brother, Abraham Lisker, became president and treasurer of the Princess Pearl Co. Located at 185 Eddy Street, the Princess Pearl Co was owned by Lisker & Rossi, Inc.

In 1935, Abraham Lisker teamed up with his younger brother Nathan Lisker to form their own company, Lisker & Lisker Inc, 185 Eddy Street, Providence.

Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II in 1939 prevented the brothers from continuing their successful business. Thus, Hyman Lisker was drafted into the army for 2 years. In addition, due to the ban on tin, the Lisker & Lisker firm closed its doors in 1942. The firm’s employees lost their jobs within four days.

The history of JJ jewelry trademark owned by Jonette Jewelry Company, 185 Eddy Street, Providence, began in 1944. The Lisker brothers named their company in honor of their parents John and Etta. Hyman Lisker was president, and Abraham Lisker took the position of treasurer and secretary. After Hyman Lisker retired in 1972, Abraham Lisker’s wife, Geraldine Lisker (1917 – 2020) took over the company as its president. Her son, Gordon Lisker, became the treasurer and secretary.

Jonette Jewelry Company History

Veteran of WWII, Hyman Lisker was the first of his brothers to die. He was a distinguished lawyer and assistant attorney general of Rhode Island in 1936-38 and 1940-41. A 1932 graduate of Harvard Law School, he also pursued various real estate interests for many years. While attending Classical High, Mr. Lisker was New England tennis champion. He was chief marshal of Brown’s medical school commencement in 1979.

Jonette Jewelry company went through bankruptcy and a merger in the late 1970s. In 1979 Jonette Jewelry company had trading name Fidelity Pewter Ltd and Satisfashion (since 1988) owned by Orson and Brusini Ltd. The final dissolution of Jonette Jewelry Company took place in 2013.

JJ jewelry shows a variety of designs, from classic plant and flower motifs to animalistic and holiday ones. One of the most popular designs over the years has been the clown image, embodied in brooches, earrings and pins. Symbol of intelligence, clowns, pierrots and jesters mock everything serious in the world. He is cynical and uses humor to show people that they are too serious.

He reminds us that being human is making mistakes, laughing and fooling around. However, the Clown is a dual symbol. On the one hand, he reminds us that we need to laugh and not take things too seriously, on the other hand, the clown is a sinister character.