Sparkling Stories : New York’s iconic jewelers
Editorial
THE TIMELESS BRILLIANCE OF NEW YORK JEWELRY
New York, a city of contrasts and innovation, has given jewelry a showcase where audacity meets excellence.
I’ve always been intrigued and fascinated by the history of American jewelry, especially that written in New York. In the 1920s and 1930s, this city, already dubbed the capital of the world, was a veritable theater of artistic and cultural effervescence. Major jewelry houses such as Tiffany & Co, Raymond Yard, Seaman Schepps and Marcus & Co. competed with each other in ingenuity to satisfy the demands of a prestigious clientele, while constantly reinventing themselves. The 1950s and 1960s marked a new chapter. Freed from the conventions of the past, designers dared to do the unexpected, offering the world
exuberant, sometimes avant-garde creations. Daring collaborations were born, and studios like Oscar Heyman and Carvin French played a key role in this stylistic revolution where anything seemed possible. What also makes New York unique is the proximity between jewelry makers and the great families. The Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and many others maintained close relationships with these visionary craftsmen. It was a time when jewelry transcended its status as an accessory to become a reflection of an era, a lifestyle, and a profoundly New York way of life.
ANTIQUE JEWELRY IN NEW YORK
Macklowe Gallery: New York’s Showcase for Decorative Arts and Jewelry
Vieille
Dreicer & Co: The Missing House that Fascinated America
& Co:
American jewelry story
Oscar Heyman: The Fascinating Story of the Jeweler’s Jeweler
Paul Flato: The Shining and Tumultuous Story of an Iconic Jeweler
Shining at the Top: The Extraordinary Story of Raymond C. Yard
Seaman Schepps: Bold Elegance and Timeless American Design
An American success story
From Sicily to Fifth Avenue: The Life and Art of Fulco di Verdura
Collectissim Magazine n°5 - December 2024. Based on an original idea by Guilhem Merolle.
Cover: American Flag Brooch ©Oscar Heyman
Publication and Editorial Director: Guilhem Merolle guilhem@collectissim.com
Contributors: Émilie Grimonprez Gemmologue FGA - Christie’s.
Art direction: Charlotte Wiltz.
Printed in France by Korus 39, rue de Bréteil - Eysines
The reproduction of texts and visuals is the exclusive property of the rights holders cited in the source. Collectissim a title of Collectissim SARL with a capital of 1000€ 8 rue Constantine 69001 Lyon. Collectissim SARL reserves all publication rights worldwide. Price per issue: €25. Legal deposit upon publication. ISSN 3039-5348.
