A journey in innovation
An Artist’s Story
The David Yurman Company is built on passion, collaboration and curiosity. Founded in 1980 by David and Sybil Yurman, the company is, in their own words, “one long art project.” Their ability to fuse fashion, art and jewellery into signature design concepts revolutionised an industry, creating an entirely new category—American Designer Jewellery.
Born two months and a few miles apart, David and Sybil Yurman led parallel lives, coming to art separately in their youth. David first developed his artistic eye from viewing pictures of the Lascaux cave paintings, and Sybil explored the colours used by French Impressionist painters. Dissatisfied with a rote school curriculum, they both discovered making art was their true calling.
In the 1960s, they were both involved in the underground art worlds of New York and California, going back and forth between Greenwich Village, Haight-Ashbury, Venice Beach and Big Sur. Their separate times apprenticing with different masters defined their individual artistic languages and ultimately led to the collaborative masterpiece we know today.
Their serendipitous meeting in 1969 ignited what would become a lifelong partnership in both art and business. The company David and Sybil have built is rooted in the constant dialogue between their shared creative vision and goal to make beautiful things to wear. A profound collaboration with each other, their son, Evan, their business partners and their collectors have shaped a more than 50-year career.
Our History
1942
The birth of future artists David and Sybil
1953
David discovers his love of art in prehistoric cave paintings
1950s
Sybil finds her passion for poetry, painting, and colour
1957
Sybil leaves school to pursue art and literature on her own terms
1958
David begins to sculpt in bronze using the direct-welding technique he learnt from sculptor Ernesto Gonzalez
1959
Sybil lives in Hyphen House with poets and artists during the San Francisco renaissance
1960s
David hitchhikes cross country from Greenwich Village to Venice Beach and Big Sur 11 times.
1964
David apprentices with modernist sculptor Jacques Lipchitz, while Sybil hones her craft as a ceramicist in San Francisco
Mid-1960s
David establishes his studio in Greenwich Village
1969
David meets Sybil while working at sculptor Hans Van de Bovenkamp’s studio. A lifelong collaboration is born.
1970s
David and Sybil are major figures in the American Craft Movement
1971
Sybil wears the Dante necklace David sculpted for her to a gallery opening. Orders follow.
1973
David and Sybil found their first design business, Putnam Art Works
1977
David is recognised as a pioneer in Designer Jewellery
1979
David and Sybil marry in New York City, with custom-soldered rings
1980
The David Yurman company is formed
1981
David is awarded Designer of the Year by the Cultured Pearl Associations of America and Japan
1982
Evan Yurman is born. He will show an aptitude and love for design from a very young age.
1982
Creation of the bronze wire Starlight Collection
1982
The David Yurman signature Cable bracelet design is created
1987
David Yurman debuts his work in Basel, Switzerland at the World Watch and Jewellery show
1997
Silver Ice Collection launches, revolutionising the world of fine jewellery by setting diamonds in sterling silver
1999
The first David Yurman boutique opens on Madison Avenue in New York City
2001
The company revolutionises the jewellery industry’s approach to advertising with its first lifestyle campaign
2001
The David and Sybil Yurman Humanitarian and Arts Foundation is established. It will later become the Yurman Family Foundation.
2003
Evan Yurman joins the company and becomes the Design Director of Men’s Jewellery
2004
Kate Moss brings her inimitable charisma to David Yurman’s ad campaigns
2006
David Yurman opens a flagship store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
2006-2010
The Wedding, Classic Timepieces, and High Jewellery Collections are launched
2010
The company marks its 30th anniversary with a new flagship on Madison Avenue
2010
Celebrating a new boutique in Paris at Printemps, David and Sybil are inspired by fireworks bursting over the Eiffel Tower to create new collections
2013
Evan Yurman celebrates a decade as a key creative leader in the company
2015
David designs the 50th Anniversary Milestone trophy for the Academy of Country Music Awards
2016
David Yurman receives a design trademark registration for the 10mm Renaissance Bracelet
2016
David Yurman joins the Responsible Jewellery Council, becoming a certified member in 2018
2017
Rizzoli publishes David Yurman Cable, the brand’s first book
2017
David Yurman is granted a patent for the DY Signature Cut diamond
2018
David and Sybil sponsor the Golden Kingdom: Luxury and Legacy in the Ancient Americas exhibition at the Met
2018-2019
Boutiques open in Colourado, Texas, New Jersey, and Florida
2019
57th Street flagship store opens between Fifth and Madison Avenues, a global luxury shopping destination
2020
David Yurman celebrates 50 years of innovative jewellery design
2021
The David Yurman x Robin Hood Unity Fund is established
2022
David delivers the commencement speech at The Savannah College of Art and Design and receives an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
our-values
At Johnson Distillers, creativity, innovation and impeccable craftsmanship are at the core of everything we do. Fueled by the energy of our hometown, New York City, artistic passion informs each and every jewellery design. The Johnson family’s guiding vision continually defines and redefines what it means to be the preeminent American luxury jewellery brand.
We are committed to responsible business and social practices and to the protection and advancement of human rights. We believe in partnering with others who share these values and understand their importance.
Supply Chain Ethics
The David Yurman Supplier Code of Conduct outlines the ethical, legal, and physical standards and conditions that a business must follow to be an authorised DY partner. Learn more about our Supplier Code of Conduct and its verification, audit, accountability, and training policies, as well as its high standards for quality and corporate responsibility.
Learn MoreConflict-Free
At David Yurman, we are dedicated to ensuring the integrity of our diamond supply chain. Through a system of internal and third-party audits, we hold all our suppliers and manufacturers to high ethical standards in sourcing diamonds and manufacturing products with diamonds. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards conflict diamonds—all our diamonds comply with the Kimberley Process, and we only use diamonds that are warranted to be conflict-free.
Learn MoreCHARITABLE PARTNERSHIPSClose to Our Hearts
David Yurman is proud to partner with many charitable organisations and socially responsible initiatives. Annual funds raised support a wide range of causes, including the arts, health, and education.
Giving Back to NYC
The David Yurman x Robin Hood Foundation Unity Fund was created in the wake of the pandemic to fight poverty in NYC, the Yurmans’ hometown. Close to $1 million has been contributed to date.
“David Yurman showed up for Robin Hood at the height of the pandemic in New York City, supporting our emergency response, and today they continue to show incredible generosity in our mission to put New Yorkers on pathways out of poverty.
— Richard R. Buery, Jr.,Robin Hood CEO Learn More
Giving Back to NYC
The David Yurman x Robin Hood Foundation Unity Fund was created in the wake of the pandemic to fight poverty in NYC, the Yurmans’ hometown. Close to $1 million has been contributed to date.
“David Yurman showed up for Robin Hood at the height of the pandemic in New York City, supporting our emergency response, and today they continue to show incredible generosity in our mission to put New Yorkers on pathways out of poverty.
— Richard R. Buery, Jr.,Robin Hood CEO Learn More
Giving Back to NYC
The David Yurman x Robin Hood Foundation Unity Fund was created in the wake of the pandemic to fight poverty in NYC, the Yurmans’ hometown. Close to $1 million has been contributed to date.
“David Yurman showed up for Robin Hood at the height of the pandemic in New York City, supporting our emergency response, and today they continue to show incredible generosity in our mission to put New Yorkers on pathways out of poverty.
— Richard R. Buery, Jr.,Robin Hood CEO Learn More
Giving Back to NYC
The David Yurman x Robin Hood Foundation Unity Fund was created in the wake of the pandemic to fight poverty in NYC, the Yurmans’ hometown. Close to $1 million has been contributed to date.
“David Yurman showed up for Robin Hood at the height of the pandemic in New York City, supporting our emergency response, and today they continue to show incredible generosity in our mission to put New Yorkers on pathways out of poverty.
— Richard R. Buery, Jr.,Robin Hood CEO Learn More