Independents

Louise Eiseman, Co-Founder and the Heart of Eiseman Jewels, Dies at 91

IndependentsAug 12, 2021

Louise Eiseman, Co-Founder and the Heart of Eiseman Jewels, Dies at 91

She was known as a consummate professional who was gracious and kind, leaving behind a legacy of philanthropy and love.

20210812_Louise Eiseman.jpg
Louise Eiseman, who opened Eiseman Jewels nearly six decades ago with her husband, Dick Eiseman, died this week at the age of 91.
Dallas—Eiseman Jewels co-founder Louise Eiseman died Aug. 9 of natural causes at her home in Dallas.

She was 91. 

She was born and grew up in Dallas before heading to Austin for college, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

After graduation, she worked at two radio stations in Dallas, WRR and WFAA.
 
Louise married Richard D. “Dick” Eiseman in 1953, and the couple lived in Houston and Oklahoma City before returning to Dallas.

The Eisemans opened their first jewelry store in 1963 inside department store Titche-Goettinger in downtown Dallas before moving to the Frost Bros. department store at the upscale NorthPark Center shopping mall in 1980, the Eiseman Jewels website states.

Frost Bros. eventually went out of business, but Eiseman Jewels remains in NorthPark today as one of the mall’s only remaining original tenants, according to PaperCity magazine

At one point, the Eisemans had expanded to 14 leased fine jewelry stores in Titches, Joske’s and Balliets and, later, three Frost Bros. stores.

Louise was the retailer’s resident “Queen Mum,” as the business cards her staff lovingly made for her stated, and was “undoubtedly the heart of Eiseman Jewels,” the store’s website states.

For decades, she was in charge of marketing and community relations for the jeweler, while also working alongside her husband to offer the best personal service and value to their store’s customers.

She was progressive in her thinking about the business and had a knack for knowing what the store needed. 

As celebrities and athletes started wearing more necklaces, earrings, rings, and bold watches, it was her call to start selling earrings as singles rather than a pair in case a man wanted to buy only one, Billy Fong, a close friend of Louise’s who got to know the businesswoman through his role at the Dallas Museum of Art, said in a memorial post

And, if the comments posted on the store’s Facebook and Instagram accounts are any indication, Eiseman was adored by many.

She was known for being a class act, a gracious woman, and a consummate professional. Many looked back fondly on the treasured conversations they had with a kind, insightful woman.

In addition to her work at the store, she also left a legacy of philanthropy for the community.

As a longtime community volunteer and patron, she made sure her staff understood the hard work and value of Dallas’ charitable organizations, as well as the importance of supporting them as a company.

“Mom was a great mom and a great example on how to live your life,” Eiseman President and CEO Richard D. Eiseman Jr. said in a statement posted on Instagram and Facebook.

“She gave us a road map and mentored us, both personally and in business, in the way that made a difference in what our outlook and priorities should be.”

She was constantly putting others before herself, he added. Her compassion showed in the way she took care of her husband for 20 years during his illness.

“Personal and business often blurred in her world. People recognized that she could do so much good, but she always did it from hard work and never sought attention for her efforts,” Richard Jr. said.

“Our family is so lucky to have her legacy; her grandchildren and children are lucky to have her guiding us even if not here in person.”

Louise was preceded in death by her husband Dick Eiseman; her parents, Adele and Morris Freedman; and her sister, Virginia Freedman Harteveldt Gomprecht.

She is survived by her children, Alice Eiseman Adelkind and her husband Alan Adelkind, of Toronto, Canada; Richard D. Eiseman Jr. and his wife Elizabeth “Betsy” Reed Eiseman, of Dallas; grandchildren Reed Eiseman Batesko and her husband Tyler Batesko, of Hoboken, N.J.; and Richard D. Eiseman III of New York; two nephews, Henry Holland Harteveldt III and his partner Dan Bonnett, of San Francisco; and Robert London Harteveldt, his wife Kristy Harteveldt and their three children of Greenwich, Conn; as well as several cousins and their families.

The Eiseman family has decided to wait until a later date for services due to COVID-19 concerns.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Louise F. Eiseman Fund for Memorial Gifts at the Southwestern Medical Foundation, 3889 Maple Ave., Suite 100, Dallas, Texas, 75219, or the Dallas Museum of Art Docent Program, 1717 North Harwood St., Dallas, Texas, 75201. 
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Harwell Godfrey Granny Square Eleanor Necklace
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

 Laura Gallon Joaillerie “Dynasty” ring, Bijules “Compass” bolo tie, Löf “The Orbitalis” ring
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design Atelier

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

Jack Abraham The Royal Ruby Collection
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las Vegas

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.

DCA-student-cert-NJ1872x1052-2.png
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry Business

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Vaishali Banerjee and Pallavi Sharma
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership Team

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

Meredith Tiderington
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship Recipient

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

Article Image 1.png
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

The Gemological Institute of America’s logo
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown Diamonds

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

Exterior of the Venetian and the Las Vegas Sphere
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 Sessions

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

JCK show
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Amy Curran
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The eight rings in Viviana Langhoff’s AU79 jewelry collection
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into Gold

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

Gold and diamond bangles on a pair of jeans
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

Woman’s hand holding shopping bags
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

Dakota Johnson as Roberto Coin Brand Ambassador
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand Ambassador

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

Mason Kay Jade necklace
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade Reports

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Gemfields ruby
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat Ruby

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Adobe Stock image of skyline of Bangkok, Thailand
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Seaman Schepps pearl earrings
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

David Allouche
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein Diamonds

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Zoë Chicco Bracelets
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable Environment

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Renato Cipullo Hematite Blaze Necklace
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ Necklace

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs Invalid

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

Britney Spears
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry Line

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Inoveo Platinum Grain image.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by Stuller

Sponsored by Stuller

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy