EditorsSep 19, 2025
These Female Athletes Had the Best Jewelry of the SummerFrom Coco Gauff’s hoops to Madison Keys’ diamond medallion, these are Senior Editor Lenore Fedow’s standout jewelry looks of the season.
IndependentsNov 28, 2022
Bert Kalisher, an Industry Veteran Who Loved Making Connections, Dies at 97
Kalisher started out manufacturing watch bands and later got into publishing, authoring two books and serving as publisher of Chronos.
New York—Bertram “Bert” Kalisher, a well-known and beloved figure in the watch and jewelry industry whose career spanned seven decades, died Nov. 20.
He was 97.
Born Sept. 27, 1925, Kalisher grew up in Long Beach, New York. After high school, he studied art and industrial design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
After one year at Pratt, Kalisher left to enlist in the Army Air Corps during World War II, his daughter Nancy Siskind said.
He trained as a bombardier, but the war ended before he was deployed.
Following the war, he started his own business—watch band manufacturer Hadley Kalbe—and later expanded to manufacturing jewelry as well.
He eventually sold his business and got into publishing.
He worked as the editor of three magazines, served as publisher of Chronos, and published two books, “The Art of the Watch” and “Chronograph to Complication: The Art & Technology of Accurate Timing.”
Siskind described her father as a “brilliant entrepreneur” who did what he did not for the sake of making money, but because of his passion for watches and jewelry.
“The industry was his love,” she said. “He was passionate about helping people, about connecting people.
“He was just a really kind, good man.”
Retired Cleveland, Ohio-area jeweler Jim Alperin, who bought watch bands from Kalisher, recalled an instance in which the industry veteran offered sage advice after a costume jewelry store franchise Alperin had purchased lost a significant amount of money.
“I was at Basel after that, and Bert took me out for a cup of coffee at the show just to talk about the loss because he understood how difficult being in business was,” Alperin recalled. “He told me to think of my experience as having purchased an expensive collectible plate that had fallen off the wall and broken. There was nothing to do other than sweep up the pieces and move forward.
“It was very sweet of him to be concerned and to show his concerns.”
Kalisher had lived in Hewlett Neck, New York, since the 1960s, serving as deputy mayor, trustee, and village historian.
He was also an avid sailor and gardener and loved to cook and travel.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marcy; two children, Richard and Nancy; six grandchildren, Eric, Andrew, Michael, Sam, Laura, Elizabeth; and one great-granddaughter, Emma.
Services were held Friday in Elmont, New York.
He was 97.
Born Sept. 27, 1925, Kalisher grew up in Long Beach, New York. After high school, he studied art and industrial design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
After one year at Pratt, Kalisher left to enlist in the Army Air Corps during World War II, his daughter Nancy Siskind said.
He trained as a bombardier, but the war ended before he was deployed.
Following the war, he started his own business—watch band manufacturer Hadley Kalbe—and later expanded to manufacturing jewelry as well.
He eventually sold his business and got into publishing.
He worked as the editor of three magazines, served as publisher of Chronos, and published two books, “The Art of the Watch” and “Chronograph to Complication: The Art & Technology of Accurate Timing.”
Siskind described her father as a “brilliant entrepreneur” who did what he did not for the sake of making money, but because of his passion for watches and jewelry.
“The industry was his love,” she said. “He was passionate about helping people, about connecting people.
“He was just a really kind, good man.”
Retired Cleveland, Ohio-area jeweler Jim Alperin, who bought watch bands from Kalisher, recalled an instance in which the industry veteran offered sage advice after a costume jewelry store franchise Alperin had purchased lost a significant amount of money.
“I was at Basel after that, and Bert took me out for a cup of coffee at the show just to talk about the loss because he understood how difficult being in business was,” Alperin recalled. “He told me to think of my experience as having purchased an expensive collectible plate that had fallen off the wall and broken. There was nothing to do other than sweep up the pieces and move forward.
“It was very sweet of him to be concerned and to show his concerns.”
Kalisher had lived in Hewlett Neck, New York, since the 1960s, serving as deputy mayor, trustee, and village historian.
He was also an avid sailor and gardener and loved to cook and travel.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marcy; two children, Richard and Nancy; six grandchildren, Eric, Andrew, Michael, Sam, Laura, Elizabeth; and one great-granddaughter, Emma.
Services were held Friday in Elmont, New York.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsSep 19, 2025
Piece of the Week: Vanessa Fernández Studio’s ‘Curva’ Wrap HoopsThe trendy earrings feature asymmetrical drops, one with a grossular garnet and the other with a diamond.
Recorded WebinarsSep 19, 2025
Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using TikTok and Instagram ReelsFour social media marketing experts discuss their go-to methods and favorite tools for making high-quality short-form video content.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
Supplier BulletinSep 18, 2025
Will Your Design Define 2026? Enter The Spectrum & Cutting Edge AwardsSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Weekly QuizSep 19, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysSep 18, 2025
Deloitte Thinks the Holidays Will Be Merry, PwC Isn’t So Sure In its holiday report, PwC said the season will be more like jazz—improvisational and less predictable—than an easy-to-follow melody.
MajorsSep 18, 2025
Pandora to Open New Distribution Center in MarylandThe jewelry giant will relocate its existing facility to a larger space in Anne Arundel.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsSep 18, 2025
Ashley Zhang Launches Garçon New YorkThe designer, who is the creative force behind her namesake brand, has now started a new mini line focusing on chains for fathers and sons.
SourcingSep 18, 2025
SSEF Opens Applications for 2 Gemology Education Scholarships The awards include tuition for a course at the Swiss lab, economy flights, and hotel accommodation.
TechnologySep 18, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches AI Strategy ProgramThe 21-day program was designed to help jewelry retailers identify opportunities and eliminate inefficiencies with AI.
AuctionsSep 17, 2025
Mythical Set of Patek Philippe Pocket Watches Expected to Sell for $10M+A set of four Patek Philippe “Star Caliber 2000” pocket watches is part of Sotheby’s upcoming auction in Abu Dhabi.
TrendsSep 17, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s Book Tells the ‘Journey of a Jeweler’The Brazilian jeweler’s latest book marks her namesake brand’s 25th anniversary and tells the tale of her worldwide collaborations.
WatchesSep 17, 2025
Bob’s Watches Acquires Vintage Rolex Won on ‘The Price is Right’ The Submariner Ref. 1680 with a Tiffany & Co. dial came from the original owner, who won it as a prize on the game show in the 1970s.
TechnologySep 17, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Launches Shipping Solution App for Shopify The new integration allows users to manage shipments directly from the Shopify dashboard.
EditorsSep 16, 2025
Out & About: 7 Great Quotes From Converge in CarlsbadAt Converge 2025, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff attended sessions on DEI, tariffs, security, and more. Here are her top takeaways.
CrimeSep 16, 2025
2 Robbery Suspects Killed in California Pawn Shop ShootoutSix people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.
CollectionsSep 16, 2025
Chopard Adds New Designs to Its ‘Ice Cube’ Capsule CollectionThe jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.
SourcingSep 16, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Launches Retailer Accreditation ProgramBen Bridge Jeweler and Lux Bond & Green were a part of the pilot program.
EditorsSep 15, 2025
Skipping the Necklace, Embracing Snakes: The Best Jewelry From the 2025 Emmy AwardsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.
SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says DeloitteIt’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
Gemfields Achieves $32M at High-Quality Emerald AuctionIt included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
