The David Yurman Brand of Inspired Jewelry

More than thirty years ago, David Yurman was nothing but a name of an artist who used to make a living out of sculptures and fine crafts. It was not until that eventful day in 1980 that the vision for a jewelry line was finally realized.  Today, the name is being associated with one of the most popular designer inspired jewelry companies in the world. David Yurman, the eponymous brand name, has indeed achieved a worldwide acclaim that it no longer matters which one is being referred to — the company or the jeweler himself.

A Business Shaped by Sculptures

As an artist, David Yurman developed his creative inclinations through sculpting. In fact, long before he joined this line of work, he used to design and sell little sculptures at his high school cafeteria. This fondness for the fine arts would soon provide the inspiration for Yurman’s jewelry brand.

It was during an art opening when the idea to venture into jewelry making suddenly crossed Yurman’s mind. His then girlfriend, a talented painter named Sybil, was wearing one of his jewelry pieces when the gallery owner approached them to ask if they were selling it.

Yurman, who initially frowned upon the idea of recreating something that has a personal value, was eventually persuaded by Sybil as proven by their decision to move to the countryside and establish Putnam Art Works in the 1970s. It is through this effort that the creative couple learned the basics of the jewelry business, which soon led to the creation of the David Yurman brand in 1980.

The Cable Bracelet as David Yurman’s Signature Piece

Shortly after its founding, the brand was already making a name in the jewelry trade. In 1983, David Yurman introduced a design that would soon become a mainstay in his jewelry line as well as the company’s signature piece for the next three decades: the cable bracelet. 

This twisted-helix accessory launched the brand to popularity within the high fashion circle. It consists of several twisted ‘cables’ of sterling silver or gold, with gemstones attached to the finial ends to complete the unique look.

In 2010 David Yurman, who was then celebrating his 30^th anniversary in the business, gave an estimate of 300,000 pieces of the said cable jewelry design that have been sold to customers. He added that the company has no plans of retiring the signature piece anytime soon. After all, it is the most recognizable design that DY has ever created.

Starting a Perfume and a Watch Collection

Seeking new creative grounds, David Yurman and wife Sybil worked together for the launching of a new fragrance line. The brand introduced its very own perfume collection through the collaboration with the perfumer who previously worked with fragrance labels such as CK One and Ralph Lauren.

The following year is another landmark for the David Yurman brand. Venturing into horology for the first time, the company launched the Classic Collection of timepieces in cooperation with the jeweler’s son, Evan Yurman. It features three design options for watches, all of which incorporate the signature cable detail on the exterior of their cases.

Store Expansion

As of mid-2009, there are eighteen boutiques of David Yurman in ten US states and four stores in three other countries. Expansion projects are still ongoing to increase the brand’s reach. Recently, the company unveiled the David Yurman Townhouse which is actually the flagship store in Madison Avenue, New York. It is regarded as the biggest of all the DY boutiques, having three floors. Most of the rare and limited-edition jewelry pieces are being crafted there. To further enhance the marketing campaigns, David Yurman has also tapped social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

David Yurman: The Making of a World-Class Jeweler

Who is David Yurman?

Behind every successful business is a story of inspiration, hard work and dedication. Take for example the jewelry empire of David Yurman. In more than three decades of its existence, the man behind the iconic cable bracelets continues to lead the company to greater heights through incorporating the lessons that he had learned from personal experience. 

Blessed with a keen eye for jewelry making and a very supportive wife, David Yurman—the man—indeed deserves to be included among the ranks of the most successful jewelers in the world.

From Sculpting to Jewelry Making

Born on October 12, 1942, Yurman spent most of his childhood life living in Long Island, New York. As early as high school, he had shown an interest in design through little sculptures, which he also sold in their school cafeteria. This sideline would soon open the doors for the young talented designer to discover his artistic genes.

Yurman was 16 when he was introduced to Ernesto Gonzales, a Cuban who makes a living as a welder and a sculptor. It happened during a visit in Provincetown, Massachusetts where his sister was based. The artistic flair of Yurman has found an outlet in the form of sculpting, and he later put it into good use by working as an apprentice for sculpting masters Jacques Lipshitz and Theodore Rozack. Under their tutelage, Yurman developed his skills in art.

Yurman attended the prestigious New York University for one year before leaving college to hitchhike. His journey had brought him to California, where he immersed himself in the beatnik lifestyle of the artists’ community in Big Sur.

At the close of the 60’s Yurman left California to work with a sculptor named Hans Van de Bovenkamp, in his Greenwich Village studio in Manhattan where artists and bohemians used to thrive. 

His decision to return from his sojourn proved to be the turning point in his life because it was when he met his future wife, a talented painter named Sybil Kleinrock, who will eventually inspire him to venture into the glittery world of jewelry making.

A “Gift” that Started It All

One day while in an art opening, Sybil bumped into the gallery owner who happened to be fascinated by the jewelry piece she was wearing. The former asked Sybil if she was selling the piece, with which the gifted painter answered ‘yes’ despite the disagreeing reply of Yurman. It turns out that the jewelry piece was actually a gift of Yurman to his girlfriend Sybil. As a token of love, Yurman values it as something personal. Hence, recreating and selling the jewelry is far from his plans.

But Sybil knew that it was a rare opportunity knocking on their doors. Eventually, Yurman was convinced to enter jewelry making after they moved to the countryside and founded the Putnam Art Works. It would soon become instrumental in the creation of the eponymous company and brand, David Yurman Inc, in 1980. The talented couple exchanged vows a year before its founding.

Involving the Family

New generations of Yurman jewelers are beginning to follow in the family tradition. As the son of a renowned jeweler who made a name through the twisted cable pieces, Evan Yurman was introduced to the jewelry scene through the Tuscon Gem show which he and his father David regularly attend. Both father and son would sometimes work together on discovering rare gems and designing jewelry.

Even for the launch of the David Yurman fragrance, the jeweler has initially consulted with Sybil. This only shows that they regard each other not only as a spouse, but also as business partner.