David Yurman - Finest Jewelry Goes Well With a Kind Heart
From Long Island to the World of Sculpture
David Yurman grew up on Long Island, New York, where his artistic journey began at just fifteen. It was then that he met Ernesto Gonzalez, a Cuban-born welder and sculptor who introduced him to the craft of direct welding — a technique that would later define Yurman’s creative identity. Under Gonzalez’s guidance, David developed both skill and confidence, shaping metal not merely as a material but as a form of artistic expression.
In the early 1960s, Yurman took a bold step by opening his own studio in Greenwich Village, New York City. There, he collaborated with prominent sculptors and contributed to large-scale public works, refining his sense of balance, texture, and form. It was during this formative period, while working at the studio of sculptor Hans Van de Bovenkamp, that he met Sybil Kleinrock, a gifted painter who would become both his wife and lifelong collaborator.
The Birth of an Artistic Partnership
In the early 1970s, David and Sybil moved to Carmel, New York, where they founded Putnam Art Works, a creative studio dedicated to sculptural jewelry — a novel concept at the time. The fusion of David’s sculptural instincts with Sybil’s painterly eye gave rise to jewelry that was both architectural and deeply personal.
For more than a decade, the couple exhibited their work — sculptures, jewelry, and paintings — in galleries and craft fairs across the United States. Their bold, artistic approach helped shape the American Craft Movement, influencing a generation of artists who saw jewelry as wearable art.
Through this period, David experimented with vibrant gemstones such as peridot, tanzanite, and green tourmaline, pairing them with innovative metalwork and fluid, organic forms. Meanwhile, the couple honed their understanding of the fine-craft marketplace in North America, laying the groundwork for their future success.
From Art to Icon: The Rise of the David Yurman Brand
In 1979, David proposed to Sybil — and the two sealed not only their marriage but also a creative alliance that would reshape American jewelry design. The following year, they founded David Yurman, Inc., a company built on artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation.
With Sybil as his co-creator and collaborator, David continued to push boundaries in metalwork, texture, and design. In 1983, just four years after the company’s founding, Yurman unveiled what would become his signature creation — the Cable Bracelet.
Crafted as a twisted helix of metal with gemstone end caps, the piece embodied both simplicity and sophistication. Appropriately named the Renaissance Bracelet, it earned Yurman two rare U.S. design trademarks and became an enduring symbol of modern luxury.
This innovative motif bridged fine art and fine jewelry — transforming metal into movement, and form into timeless beauty.
Art, Legacy, and Generosity
From humble beginnings, David and Sybil Yurman built one of the most recognized and respected jewelry houses in the world. Their boutiques span the globe, yet the couple has remained grounded in their values of artistry, integrity, and philanthropy.
The Yurmans continue to give back through initiatives that support education and opportunity. Recently, they hosted a fundraising event at their Madison Avenue townhouse in honor of legendary New York Yankee Mariano Rivera. A portion of the evening’s proceeds benefited the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which helps underprivileged children access better educational resources — a cause close to the couple’s hearts.
Their story is not just one of success, but of vision and compassion — proof that true artistry begins not with ambition, but with a generous spirit.
