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

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

Sothebys Watchcheck
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair Services

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

Swarovski lab-grown diamond Galaxy earrings
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

×

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