If you have seen DeLizza & Elster jewelry, often referred to as Juliana, then you already know that it is typically big, bold and beautiful! Today, as forty years ago, this jewelry gets noticed. The designers spared no imagination in their combinations of shapes and colors and you can find glitzy rhinestones and gorgeous art glass combined in striking creations. D&E jewelry was made to last and the quality of workmanship is remarkable. It is not unusual to find vintage D&E pieces in excellent condition with all the original stones intact.
Who were DeLizza and Elster? William DeLizza and Harold Elster established the company, DeLizza & Elster, in New York City in the 1940's. When they closed their doors in 1990, Frank DeLizza, son of William DeLizza, was the owner. During its many years in operation D&E manufactured jewelry for hundreds of other designers and jewelry wholesalers; including Accessocraft, Weiss, Alice Caviness, Ciro, Celebrity, Capri, Carol Duplaise, Eisenberg Ice, House of Ivana, Hobe, House of Schrager, Hattie Carnegie, Kenneth J. Lane, Kramer, Karu, Mimi Di N, 1928, Park Lane, Pakula, YSL and Sarah Coventry.
What is Juliana? Juliana was the name applied to a specific line of jewelry produced in 1967 and 1968, which the company sold out of a 5th Avenue showroom. The jewelry was marked with only a paper hang tag. Although the showroom closed after two years, D&E continued to make jewelry with the look of Juliana for many years, just as they had done prior to opening the showroom on 5th Avenue. D&E also sold two other jewelry lines marked by paper tags: Gloria and Tara.
How do I identify Juliana or D&E jewelry? Because this jewelry was marked only with a paper or foil hang tag, or a cardboard earring card, typically discarded by the jewelry owner, Juliana and other D&E pieces are usually discovered in an "unidentified" or unmarked state. Juliana is the true definition of "Unsigned Beauty"! It is rare to find any of the jewelry with the original tags still in place. (And the novice buyer should be aware that fake tags and cards have been spotted online and off.)
How do I identify Juliana or D&E jewelry? Luckily for collectors, DeLizza & Elster used specific construction techniques and design elements, which can be helpful in making a preliminary identification. It is important to note that other companies also used similar design elements and construction techniques, so the presence of one of more of these characteristics is not definitive in identifying a D&E jewel. The whole of the jewelry piece must be considered. However, these characteristics are a good starting point for the study of "Juliana" jewelry.
To learn more about D&E jewelry, search the Internet for one of several useful reference sites, and/or talk with knowledgeable costume jewelry dealers. As with any collecting niche, study and handling will increase your knowledge and your ability to spot these unsigned beauties.
Ruby Lane: by Carol, DeLizza and Elster Jewelry — Juliana: [https://www.rubylane.com/blog/categories/jewelry/DeLizza-and-elster-jewelry-juliana/]: [Dec 17, 2007]
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