Raymond C. Yard
72696 - Yard Art Deco Platinum Diamond Sapphire Bracelet
David Rockefeller, one of his clients, suggested and encouraged Yard to open his own firm. In the foreword of the book Yard: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard, Rockefeller writes: “In the early 1920s, my father, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., met Raymond Yard, a young jewelry salesman at Marcus & Co. in New York. Impressed by his knowledge of fine jewelry and personal integrity, Father encouraged Raymond Yard to open his own firm. The two of them developed a close personal and professional relationship…”
72816 - Yard Platinum Diamond Barber Pole Bracelet
Yard followed through creating some of the most beautiful jewelry for friends and Rockefeller family members. He didn't have an exceptionally long list of clients, but his clients were exceptional. Prestigious and renowned patrons like the Woolworths, the Flaglers, the Duponts and the Vanderbilts and movie stars such as Joan Crawford and Douglas Fairbanks were also his customers.
23593 - Yard Retro Platinum Sapphire Diamond Ruby Pin, Circa 1946
He created jewelry with gem quality stones and platinum mountings. His high-end jewelry, combined with his high standards, was very popular during the Art Deco period. The diamonds he sold were significant, and easily comparable to ones found on Rue de la Paix in Paris. Yard extensively used mixed-cut and single-cut diamonds in it's pieces, striving for an elegant look, which contrasted with the sharp brilliance seen in jewelry from Tiffany & Co. and Cartier.
21518 - Yard Circa 1947 Platinum Burma Ruby Diamond Pin Clips
Yard is noted for its iconic rabbits and house brooches that debuted in the late twenties and early thirties. The whimsical rabbit pieces featured pavé diamonds, calibré-cut gems and accents of enamel. The rabbit brooches had various themes- bridal, fisherman, nautical, British Royal Guards, and the famous rabbit waiters appearing in 1929. The rabbit waiters carrying trays of cocktails, buckets of ice, champagne...a fun little poke at Prohibition. During the war resources were limited, and Yard adapted his designs to incorporate gold and white gold, as opposed to platinum. Yard also started working with semi-precious stones and new color combinations.
52857 - Yard Retro Palladium Moonstone Dia Sapphire Earrings
By the end of the Fifties, cluster rings were in vogue and by the 1960s, the most characteristic of Yard’s ring styles featured a center stone surrounded by either round or marquise cut diamonds. The cluster style continued in popularity through the seventies.
901106 - Yard Platinum GIA Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring
Upon his retirement in 1958, Yard passed the company to Robert Gibson, who had been Yard’s golf caddy. Yard personally mentored Gibson, who had also lost his father at a young age, becoming not only a boss, but also a second father to him. Raymond Yard passed away in 1964. Gibson continued Yard’s tradition of fine jewelry making.
23581 - Yard Gold Platinum Diamond Emerald Ruby Pin
In 1989 Robert passed the firm to his son, Bob Gibson, who still runs the business from Connecticut today. “We still use the same standards today as in the old days,” concludes Bob Gibson. The firm continues to carry on the tradition of high quality designs and craftsmanship of Raymond Yard.
Sources:
Yard: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard, authored by Natasha Kuzmanovic, Vendome Press; ISBN-10: 086565185X
https://www.langantiques.com/university/raymond_yard_inc/
https://diamonds.com/raymond-c-yard-the-american-dream/
https://www.christies.com/features/Raymond-Yard-Jewellery-Collecting-Guide-9755-1.aspx