David Yurman
is a world-renowned American jewelry designer who specializes
in a cable motif. His designs are instantly recognizable and
are desired by jewelry lovers around the world. Recently, he
also began designing beautiful watches for both men and women
in addition to his original jewelry line.
David
Yurman Jewelry Features Classic Designs
When you wear a piece of jewelry designed by David Yurman, you are making a
statement to the world that you admire both craftsmanship and design. Even
people who are not familiar with the Yurman name will ask you where you purchased
your unique jewelry. It stands out and makes a statement of prestige, style,
and quality.
Whe ther it
is watches or jewelry, his pieces are admired the world over.
They are not overly trendy, but are classic designs that will
stand the test of time. For this reason, his pieces are cherished
by those who are lucky enough to own them.
Unfortunately,
David Yurman pieces can be quite expensive. Not everyone can
afford one of these classic pieces. For those of us with limited
budgets, there are jewelry and watches available on the market
that are inspired by his innovative designs, but do not carry
the same hefty price tags. Many of these pieces are just as beautiful
as the originals. You can still get the style without going broke.
David Yurman
provides a vast collection of fine watches that compliment an
existing piece of David Yurman Jewelry or stand alone. Each watch
is a masterpiece of quality and workmanship, handcrafted and
assembled with the same care as each piece of David Yurman Jewelry.
David Yurman Jewelry:
Evolution of a Jewelry Designer.
The Orlando Sentinel has
an interesting feature on David Yurman today.
David Yurman jewelry is
like your favorite blue jeans -- only much more expensive. The jewelry is "comfortable," says
Yurman, 63, who recently visited his new boutique, which rubs shoulders with
Cartier and Tiffany in Orlando's Mall at Millenia.
The jewelry is also versatile,
he says. "You can wear it anywhere, day to evening." Just like
blue jeans.
It wasn't always that
way with jewelry. Before the 1980s, when Yurman's now-iconic cable bracelets
became the most coveted, and copied, arm candy in the United States, there
were two kinds of jewelry: Costume for everyday wear, and fine jewelry for
special occasions.
The relaxed elegance of
Yurman's designs bridged the divide. The jewelry is classic but with a modern
twist that gives it go-anywhere elan.
Fashioned from gold and
silver, many pieces also feature coral and turquoise, a sparkling array of
gemstones and Yurman's current favorite, South Seas pearls. Signature motifs
include a squared "cushion" shape, a hook-and-eye closure and the
widely recognized twisting "cable" pattern.
The designs are "a
combination of art, fine jewelry and fashion," says Yurman, who wears
several of his creations: A ring, a bracelet and a square-faced watch.
Dressed all in black,
his thick white hair swept straight back, his chin fashionably stubbled,
he looks every inch the artist from Tribeca, the New York neighborhood where
he and his artist wife, Sylvia, live and work.
Before designing jewelry,
Yurman was a sculptor, hanging out with prominent Beat artists of the 1960s;
writer Norman Mailer, painter Franz Kline, sculptor Ron Boise.
"I did these funny
little silver angels," he says.
It was one of those angels,
fashioned into a belt buckle, that sparked his career as a jewelry designer.
The buckle was a gift
to Sybil, his girlfriend at the time. She wore it to an art opening, where
it caught the eye of the gallery owner. He asked if it was for sale. Yurman
said no, but Sybil said yes -- and within weeks they found themselves in
the jewelry business.
Ever since, they've had
good-luck angels perched on their shoulders. Their collections are in more
than 450 stores around the world, and David Yurman is one of the best-known
luxury brands on the planet.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Barbra
Streisand wear the jewelry; Steven Spielberg and Kevin Spacey the watches;
hip-hop moguls Jay-Z and Damon Dash the men's designs. Their ad campaigns
have featured models Amber Valetta and Kate Moss, and the company's newest "face" is
Naomi Watts -- who recently flashed Yurman earrings of rose quartz and diamonds
at the Oscars.
Orlando real estate agent
Virginia Morales, 49, collects Yurman bracelets. "I wear three, four
at a time," she says. "My husband always knows what to give me
for my birthday, anything David Yurman."
Since founding their company
in 1980, the Yurmans have worked as a team.
"I have the vision;
I design the collections," explains Yurman. "My wife does the styling
and merchandising."
Their son, Evan, is part
of their ever-expanding creative team. And let's not forget the lawyers.
The couple's designs,
which range from about $300 for a simple bracelet to more than $7,000 for
a multistrand couture necklace, are among the most copied in the world. Yurman
is not flattered by imitators and spends $1 million a year protecting his
brand.
"Copying is stealing," he
says. People who wear copies are deceptive. "And that's not cool."
Worse, he says, they are
supporting counterfeiters who may pay no taxes, have ties to illegal operations
or use child labor.
As his company grows,
Yurman finds himself more in the role of executive than artist.
"It's less like playing
an instrument, more like being the leader of the band," he says. "I'm
about ready to do more art work."
But that is not likely
to happen anytime soon. First, he plans to introduce a line of Yurman eyewear
and a Yurman fragrance, followed by Yurman handbags and luggage.
No wonder he believes
in angels.
