AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
TrendsDec 10, 2019
Well-Known Estate Jeweler, Pearl Expert Paul Fisher Dies
The respected jeweler was known for his generosity, integrity and willingness to share his knowledge.
Paul Fisher, a well-known estate jewelry, pearl and gemstone dealer, died Dec. 4 at the age of 92.
New York—Legendary jeweler Paul Fisher, who dealt in estate jewelry as well as pearls and gemstones, died Dec. 4 due to complications from pneumonia.
He was 92 years old.
Born in Vienna, Austria in 1927, Fisher was a fifth-generation jeweler.
His family’s firm was started in the 1850s in Vienna by Julius Fisher, who was a natural pearl dealer specializing in pearls used as buttons.
In 1921, his grandsons, Ferdinand and Robert, opened the company Bruder Fisher to continue the family legacy in Vienna.
Once cultured pearls began hitting the market, they transitioned into buying and selling fine jewelry.
Robert Fisher took the business to London in 1938 and opened a New York office in 1941.
Paul Fisher, his son, established Paul Fisher Inc. in 1956, which now involves the sixth generation of family.
Paul Fisher Inc. currently has offices in New York, London and Geneva as well as representatives in Hong Kong and Paris.
Fisher worked in the jewelry industry for 74 years, from 1945 up until the day he was hospitalized, Nov. 27, according to his daughter, Marianne Fisher.
She attributes much of his success to his willingness to share his knowledge, maintain his honor and integrity, and the vast experience he gained through his travels.
He was loved because he was always fair and kind, she said.
“My dad was a very generous person. He didn’t care about being rich; he cared about being kind, about being a good human being, that was very important to him,” Marianne said.
She also described him as being “Yoda-like.”
“He was a wise man—always an old soul and knowledgeable,” she told National Jeweler.
“He traveled the world and, having survived the Holocaust, had a great appreciation for life and with any hardship always chose to see the glass half full, not half empty.”
His generosity showed clearly in what some have called his greatest legacy: the “Paul Fisher School.”
Fisher would take in apprentices—always from outside the United States to build an international network—and teach them for six months at a time, showing them everything he knew, giving them access to clients and even letting them purchase pieces on the Paul Fisher Inc. account.
He did this, his daughter said, “out of the goodness of his heart.”
He took so many in that his apprentices now number in the 40s.
Two continue to work for the company today, and many threw
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Fisher a birthday party in 1989, when he turned 62, and attended his 90th birthday party in Basel, Switzerland in 2017.
Outside of jewelry, skiing was his greatest passion until an accident in Aspen, Colorado in 1998 forced him to stop, his daughter said.
Marianne said he was also an avid reader who would go through one or two books a week, mostly historical biographies.
She said there has been an outpouring of sadness from the industry at the news of his death, as for many it represents the end of an era in which business is done and honored with a handshake by “true gentlemen.”
Fisher is survived by his six children: four sons—John, Peter, Francis, Walter—and two daughters—Christa and Marianne.
Outside of jewelry, skiing was his greatest passion until an accident in Aspen, Colorado in 1998 forced him to stop, his daughter said.
Marianne said he was also an avid reader who would go through one or two books a week, mostly historical biographies.
She said there has been an outpouring of sadness from the industry at the news of his death, as for many it represents the end of an era in which business is done and honored with a handshake by “true gentlemen.”
Fisher is survived by his six children: four sons—John, Peter, Francis, Walter—and two daughters—Christa and Marianne.
More on Trends
The Latest
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
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.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
