Known as “the jewelers’ jeweler,” Oscar Heyman (1888–1970) designed pieces for Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Black, Starr & Frost. The family-run Oscar Heyman & Brothers jewelry company was founded by Heyman with his brothers Nathan and Harry in 1912. Jewelers from Latvia, they had trained at their great-uncle’s workshop, which had clients including Russian imperial jeweler Fabergé, before immigrating to the United States in the early 1900s.
After arriving in New York, Oscar worked with Pierre Cartier and Nathan was a tool maker at Western Electric before they came together to open their jewelry business. Highly skilled craftsmen, the Heyman brothers quickly developed a roster of high-profile clients — primarily big-name jewelers — drawn to their work with dazzling stones and meticulous design. In 1917, Black, Starr & Frost commissioned the brothers to design an American flag brooch, which would become a recurring motif in the Oscar Heyman & Brothers portfolio. They also designed the Pansy brooch in the 1930s, another long-popular accessory that was produced exclusively for Tiffany & Co. toward the end of the 20th century. After Heyman designed for four of the five jewelers on view at the 1939 World’s Fair House of Jewels (Cartier, Udall & Ballou, Marcus & Co. and Black, Starr & Frost), the company was given the moniker “the jewelers’ jeweler.”
Heyman & Brothers later designed gem-encrusted medallions that traveled to the moon on Apollo 16, the necklace setting for the 69-carat diamond Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor in 1969 and even a pair of ruby-encrusted Stuart Weitzman stilettos in 2003. Over the years, the company has entranced such clients as Evelyn Lauder, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Billy Porter and Tina Fey with its pieces.
In 2012, the century-old jeweler underwent a rebranding to simplify its name to Oscar Heyman and today is still run by the Heyman family, which manages the whole process from alloying their own metal to cutting and polishing their gemstones to assembling the final product in-house. In 2017, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston published a monograph authored by Yvonne J. Markowitz and Elizabeth Hamilton that details for a broader audience the history of Oscar Heyman, an unsung company that’s long been behind some of the biggest names in jewelry.
Shop authentic Oscar Heyman rings, brooches and bracelets on 1stDibs.
| Average Sold Price |
| $37,724 |
| Styles |
| Related Creators |
$18,750Sale Price|25% Off
Oscar Heyman 14.21ct Cat's-Eye Sapphire & Diamond Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
This Oscar Heyman ring is made from platinum and contains a rare 14.21ct Cat's-Eye Sapphire and 14 colorless round diamonds weighing 1.48cts. Cat's-eye sapphires display the phenomen...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Oscar Heyman 3.34tcw Champagne Diamond Stud Earrings
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
These stunning Oscar Heyman earrings are made from platinum and feature a pair of 'champagne brown' diamonds weighing 3.34tcw (SI1-2). The stones are each 7mm wide and sit in a 4 pro...
Diamond, Platinum
$33,000Sale Price|25% Off
Oscar Heyman Platinum GIA Certified Oval Diamond with Halo Three-Stone Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman platinum oval diamond three stone engagement ring with pave halo contains a 1.20ct center stone (F/VS1) and two side stones 1.02tcw (E/VS1), all with GIA reports. The p...
Diamond, Platinum
$30,000Sale Price|55% Off
H 1.42 in L 2.25 in
Oscar Heyman 18k Gold & Fancy Yellow Diamond 'Prowling Lion' Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman 18k yellow gold 'prowling lion' brooch contains a 0.01ct round emerald eye, 22 round diamonds (0.18ct, F-G/VS+), and 154 round fancy yellow diamonds (4.73ct). It is sta...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Oscar Heyman Gold Diamond and Ruby Bow Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
This Oscar Heyman 18kt yellow gold brooch contains 2.55cts of calibré rubies and 3.95cts round diamonds (F-G/VS+). The rubies are cut by hand in Oscar Heyman's Madison Avenue workshop by the lapidary. The diamonds are bead set. Azures (cut outs) behind the gemstones and diamonds allow maximum light to shine through this piece, illustrating the finest principles of jewelry manufacturing. It is stamped with the makers mark, 18K, and serial number 74869. Comes in an Oscar Heyman brooch box. This brooch measures 49mm x 30mm x 11mm. It has a standard rollover safety clasp. It is light enough to wear on a shirt without pulling. Bows are a timeless ornament and this gemstone-encrusted version even more so! Oscar Heyman was founded in 1912 and became known as the 'Jewelers' Jeweler'® for creating pieces for Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. Oscar Heyman jewelry...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Oscar Heyman Platinum Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman platinum ring with 14mm Tahitian Grey Pearl sitting in a pave setting of 74 Round Diamonds (1.69cts, F-G/VS+). The ring height ...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
Oscar Heyman Platinum 2.5mm Bead Set Diamond Band Ring sz 6
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman platinum bead set diamond band ring contains 31 Round Diamonds (F-G/ VS+ quality) weighing 0.63 cts. The diamonds extend around the whole ring. The ring is 2.5mm wide and is stamped with the makers mark, PLAT, and serial number W709. It is a classic design that fits comfortably on the finger. This band comes in an Oscar Heyman pouch. Size 6. This ring cannot be re-sized, however, additional sizes, widths, and stone colors are available by special order. Pricing will change. Oscar Heyman was founded in 1912 and became known as the 'Jewelers' Jeweler'® for creating pieces for Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. Oscar Heyman jewelry is and always has been made in New York City at the company's own factory. Guard rings are die struck in the company's tool and die shop...
Diamond, Platinum
$56,000Sale Price|30% Off
Oscar Heyman Platinum GIA Certified 6.22tcw Trilliant Diamond 'Ballerina' Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman platinum 'Ballerina Ring' contains a 2.52ct GIA certified trilliant diamond (F/ SI2) and 25 tapered baguette diamonds weighing 3.70cts (F-G/ VS+). It is has an elegant s...
Diamond, Platinum
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $37,724 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $3,250-$280,000 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
