Our History

1953

At the age of 11, David finds a book in the local library depicting prehistoric cave paintings discovered in the caves of Lascaux, France. These raw images of palaeolithic animals conveyed drama, movement, and beauty through simple lines, inspiring a young boy to follow an artistic path.

1957

Sybil leaves school to pursue art and literature, spending time in Greenwich Village with Beat poets. A self-described emotional painter, Sybil is inspired by art that reflects the artist’s emotional relationship with their surroundings.

1959

Sybil moves to Haight-Ashbury during the San Francisco renaissance to work and live as an artist. Living in Hyphen House, a communal enclave devoted to Eastern philosophy and Zen Buddhism, she meets the major figures of the Beat Generation—Allen Ginsberg, Peter Orlovsky, Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady. They encourage her to pursue painting full time.

1964

David apprentices with modernist sculptor Jacques Lipchitz for two years, learning the importance of artistic discipline, a clear sense of purpose, and mastery of materials.

David's material is bronze wire. Using a torch, he fashions it into allegorical figures and organic forms. The lines and wires are analogous to those he will later twist into the first Cable jewellery.

1969

1971

Sybil wears the Dante necklace David sculpted for her to a Forum Gallery opening. Watch the video to learn more about this unique piece and how it serendipitously launched a lifetime business partnership.

1977

1980

David and Sybil establish the David Yurman Company in 1980, with Sybil Yurman acting as co-creator and collaborator in all facets of the business. David’s designs focus on innovative collections of beaded jewellery using pearls, lapis, garnets, jade and other semi-precious stones, mixing shape, texture and colour.

1982

Evan Yurman is born, and from a very young age he shows an aptitude and love for design.

1982

1997

With the introduction of Silver Ice®, David Yurman is the first major designer to set diamonds in sterling silver, revolutionising the world of fine jewellery.

2001

David Yurman makes a splash in advertising with campaigns featuring Peter Lindbergh’s black and white images of supermodels. The emotion and sensuality of Lindbergh’s photos are a divergence from the typical still-life jewellery ads of the time.

2003

Evan Yurman joins the company and becomes the Design Director of Men’s Jewellery.

2006

David Yurman opens a flagship store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

2010

The David Yurman Company celebrates its 30th anniversary. A flagship boutique, a collaboration with architect Michael Gabellini, opens on Madison Avenue. The five-story converted townhouse honours the brand’s dedication to beautiful design and craftsmanship, from the Cable-inspired staircase to door handles hand-sculpted by David.

2013

Evan Yurman, David and Sybil’s son, celebrates a decade as a key creative leader in the design of the Men’s, Wedding, Timepiece and High Jewellery collections.

2016

A design trademark is registered for the 10mm Renaissance Bracelet—indicating that the design is instantly recognisable as coming from a renowned creator.

2017

Rizzoli publishes David Yurman Cable, the brand's first book. The monograph explores Cable as an archetypal form and Yurman’s artistic use of it as his signature through essays by Paul Greenhalgh, William Norwich and Carine Roitfeld, with a foreword by Sybil and David Yurman.

2018

David and Sybil show their affection and support for the Metropolitan Museum of Art by sponsoring the Golden Kingdoms: Luxury and Legacy in the Ancient Americas exhibition, an exploration of sacred objects, materials, metal working and meaning in the ancient cultures of South America.

2019

2021

The David Yurman x Robin Hood Foundation Unity Fund is created during the pandemic. As NYC’s largest poverty-fighting philanthropy, Robin Hood’s mission—to help New Yorkers in need find a pathway to mobility—is one that aligns with David Yurman’s brand values and is close to the founders’ hearts.