Oscar Heyman Jewelry: The Jewelers’ Jeweler

Oscar Heyman jewelry is synonymous with exceptional quality, exquisite craftsmanship and stunning design. Since 1912, Oscar Heyman has been creating magnificent jewelry with the finest gemstones sourced from around the world at their atelier in New York City. Every piece of jewelry is signed and numbered, assuring the artistry and quality Oscar Heyman has delivered for over 100 years.

The History of Oscar Heyman Jewelry

Oscar Heyman was born in 1888 in Latvia, where he learned the art of jewelry making from his uncle. He immigrated to New York in 1906 with his brother Nathan, and they soon joined their other brothers Harry and Louis, who had established a jewelry workshop in the city. In 1912, they founded Oscar Heyman & Brothers, a family-run business that quickly gained a reputation for excellence and innovation.

Oscar Heyman became known as “the jewelers’ jeweler,” as they designed and manufactured pieces for some of the most prestigious jewelry houses in the world, such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Black, Starr & Frost. They also created jewelry for celebrities, royalty and collectors, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Princess Grace of Monaco and Barbara Hutton.

Oscar Heyman passed away in 1970, but his legacy lives on through his descendants, who continue to run the business today. Oscar Heyman jewelry is still made entirely in-house by skilled artisans who use European techniques passed down through three generations. Oscar Heyman jewelry is also still sought after by discerning clients who appreciate its beauty and rarity.

The Characteristics of Oscar Heyman Jewelry

Oscar Heyman jewelry is characterized by its use of high-quality materials, such as platinum, gold, diamonds, pearls and colored gemstones. Oscar Heyman sources its gemstones from around the world, such as rubies from Burma, sapphires from Kashmir and Ceylon, emeralds from Colombia and Brazil, and alexandrites from Russia and Brazil.

Oscar Heyman jewelry is also known for its intricate and elegant designs, which often feature floral, geometric or abstract motifs. Oscar Heyman jewelry showcases the striking elegance of colorful gemstones and the beauty of the women who wear them. Oscar Heyman jewelry can range from classic to contemporary styles, but always with a touch of sophistication and glamour.

Some of the most iconic pieces of Oscar Heyman jewelry include:

The Patiala Necklace: A magnificent diamond necklace created for Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala in 1928. It featured a 234-carat yellow diamond pendant and over 2,900 diamonds totaling 962 carats.

The Star of Bombay: A 182-carat blue star sapphire ring created for silent film star Mary Pickford in 1936. She later donated it to the Smithsonian Institution.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond: A 69-carat pear-shaped diamond that Richard Burton bought for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969. Oscar Heyman set it in a diamond necklace that Taylor wore to the Academy Awards in 1970.

The Apollo Blue and Artemis Pink Diamonds: A pair of earrings featuring a 14.54-carat fancy vivid blue diamond and a 16-carat fancy intense pink diamond. They were sold for a record-breaking $57 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2017.

The Appeal of Oscar Heyman Jewelry Today