David Webb
Since its inception in the late 1940s, David Webb’s incredibly distinct and diverse pieces remain highly desirable. Long after his passing, his legacy continues to make an impact in the jewelry and fashion worlds. David Webb jewelry has been enjoyed by everyone from socialites to Hollywood actresses.
93202 - Webb GIA Diamond Cocktail Ring
Some of his clients included Elizabeth Taylor, Barbara Streisand, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Grace of Monaco, and more recently, you see Jennifer Lawrence, Eva Mendez, Jennifer Garner, and Cameron Diaz wearing Webb’s jewelry to Hollywood parties and award shows.
53586 - Webb Gold Platinum Diamond Hammered Earrings
David Webb was born in 1925 and raised in Asheville, North Carolina and began designing jewelry at a young age. While in his early teens, Webb was introduced to metalwork and quickly developed a passion for jewelry making. He apprenticed at his uncle’s factory before moving to New York City at the age of 17. During his time in NYC, he was introduced to his future business partner, Nina Silberstein. In 1948, at the age of 23, he & Nina established David Webb Inc., opening a store on 57th Street.
97040 - Webb Woven Hammered Finish Dinner Ring
David Webb opened with three employees. In addition to possessing a creative eye and having a meticulous attention to detail, Webb was a highly skilled craftsman. He soon established a reputation for his bold use of color stones.
97712 - Webb Platinum Sapphire Diamond Cluster Ring
Large cabochon cuts, and carved gems soon became one of the distinctive signatures of a David Webb piece. Webb’s jewelry designs were heavily influenced by his travels, and ancient cultures. They were easily recognizable by their size, and decorative use of enamels and color stones.
 53590 - Webb Gold Pearl Diamond Webb Leaf Earrings |
 901493 - Webb Gold Pearl Diamond Dinner Ring
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Webb's jewelry designs caught the attention of elite department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, and well-to-do women who would meet for lunch, and venture to Webb’s business to purchase jewelry, before returning to their Upper East Side homes.
43762 - Webb Gold Platinum Diamond Necklace Bracelet
Ruth Peltason, author of the book, “David Webb: The Quintessential American Jeweler,” commented on Webb’s style, “It was breakthrough jewelry. It was large. It spoke volumes. The jewelry has a presence.”
23591 - Webb Gold Diamond Emerald Enamel Pegasus Horse Pin
By the time he was 25 years old, Vogue came calling. The magazine featured a pair of Webb’s earrings on the cover of their October issue. In addition, Diana Vreeland, a editor of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, was often seen wearing a David Webb black and white enamel zebra bangle.
901152 - Webb Gold Diamond Zebra Ring
Webb is best recognized, possibly, for his enamel and color stone animal jewelry. Inspired by designer Jeanne Toussaint and Cartier’s famed ‘Big Cat’ jewels David Webb gushed, “everything was born from the influence of Toussaint, naturally she inspired all of us”.
73356 - Webb Circa 1960s Gold Diamond Enamel Panther Bracelet
He created his first animal bracelet in 1957. This bracelet was purchased by Elizabeth Taylor, who became a frequent client. Taylor featured 4 pages of David Webb jewelry in "My Love Affair with Jewelry," the photo book of her legendary collection. Within a few years, the company had a menagerie of frogs, zebras, horses, tigers, snakes, dragons among many others.
45046 - Circa 1960 Webb Gold Snake Choker Necklace
He was commissioned by Richard Nixon to create numerous gifts for foreign diplomats. His designs made an impression on some of the most influential jewelry collectors of the era, perhaps most prominently Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
53730 - Webb Gold Platinum Turquoise Diamond Earrings |
 901704 - Webb Turquoise Diamond Ring |
His status as a distinguished American jeweler was astutely recognised by the First Lady, who commissioned him to create a series of pieces featuring a variety of American minerals to be presented to visiting heads of state. Kennedy’s relationship with Webb continued even after her husband's death.
43462 - Webb Gold Platinum Diamond Necklace
Webb also excelled in his use of yellow gold as well as combining hammered textures, geometric and nature inspired shapes, diamonds and semi-precious stones. An iconic design is his geometric and spiral-themed jewelry from the 1960s and 70s.
21503 - Circa 1960 Webb Diamond Rose Pin
These pieces are typically found in yellow gold, sometimes with diamonds. Also popular are his garden-inspired designs. In the 60’s, he designed an array of elegant floral brooches. Webb also embraced cross pieces. Since the early 1960s, he designed a series of Maltese crosses in a variety of enamels and stones mounted onto gold.
41486 - Webb Gold Diamond Ruby Emerald Enamel Maltese Cross Necklace
Webb died in 1975, at the age of 50, from an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. He left an archive of beautiful, bold, and intricate jewelry designs, including more than 40,000 original drawings and sketches. After his death, his legacy was preserved by his original business partner, Nina Silberstein and her family.
41416 - Webb Gold Platinum Diamond Enamel Necklace
David Webb Inc. celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2008. In 2009, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Manhattan. In 2010, the company was bought by three jewelers-Mark Emanuel, Sima Ghadamin and Robert Sadian
43444 - Webb Platinum Diamond Geometric Necklace
Webb’s bold and luxurious jewelry is still worn today by celebrity fans, including Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez. These pieces continue to make a statement with their uniqueness. Today the company continues to create designs in the spirit of Webbs vision. The original approach to craftsmanship by skilled artisans has been retained by the workshop, which continues to be located directly above the flagship Madison Avenue store.
Sources:
https://www.davidwebb.com/pages/about
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Webb_(jeweler)
https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-glamorous-history-of-iconic-jeweler-david-webb
https://www.gesner.com/blog/history-of-david-webb/