The Story of DY Mercer®
Inspired by SoHo’s legendary art galleries and Greenwich Village, home to David Yurman’s first sculpture studio, DY Mercer® captures the creative spirit of downtown New York during the sixties and seventies.
Before they were known as jewelry designers, David and Sybil Yurman were artists shaped by the vibrant, creative spirit of New York City. The DY Mercer® Collection reflects this origin story: a series of pieces that turn sculptural form into wearable art, where every chain, link, and gemstone serves as an artistic interpretation of the downtown energy that once defined the neighborhood.
Jun 16, 2025
Before they were known as jewelry designers, David and Sybil Yurman were artists shaped by the vibrant, creative spirit of SoHo, New York City in the 1980s. The DY Mercer® Collection reflects this origin story: a series of pieces that turn sculptural form into wearable art, where every chain, link, and gemstone serves as an artistic interpretation of the downtown energy that once defined the neighborhood.
June 16, 2025
Soho Roots The Beginnings of David Yurman
Beginning in the 1960s and coming into full force by the late 1970s, downtown New York emerged as a raw, electrifying center of creativity, attracting artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Cindy Sherman. It was in the vibrant neighborhoods of SoHo and Greenwich Village—also the site of David’s first sculpture studio—that David and Sybil Yurman forged their vision. As emerging artists—David a sculptor, Sybil a painter and ceramicist—they frequented art galleries with a community of like-minded creatives and experimental thinkers.
David Yurman first learned the fundamentals of sculptural metalwork under sculptor Ernesto Gonzalez, mastering the art of welding and form. Paying homage to our sculptural roots, the sculpted round links of DY Mercer® reference one of David’s earliest creations—a welded link belt made for Sybil Yurman in 1969. By the 1980s, that early foundation had evolved into his signature style as jewelry designer. The transformation of simple chains into works of striking jewelry speaks to the artful eye and skillful hand of a craftsman. Today, chain links have become emblematic of our brand and a symbol of the Yurman family’s collaboration—each link representing their unity in life, art and design.
Discover Expressive Earrings
Across the collection, sculptural forms and layered materials create jewelry with a sense of movement, rhythm, and intention. Every piece is designed to be mixed, matched, and worn as a personal expression of bold creativity, echoing the vibrant energy that once filled Mercer Street’s lofts—the epicenter of SoHo’s artistic community.
Multi Hoop Earrings
Stacked huggie hoops from the collection—and more earrings inspired by deconstructed chain links—are stacked to give the illusion of multiple hoops in a single pair.
Huggie Hoop Earrings
Layered huggie hoops of varying dimensions are crafted in polished 18K yellow gold and sterling silver with pavé-set diamonds, featuring flashes of the brand’s signature Cable motif.
Circular Drop Earrings
Sculpturally striking diamond drop earrings capture this same dynamic interplay of mixed metals, channeling the structure and spontaneity that defined the Yurmans’ early work.
A Bold New Era: Evolving with the Spirit of NYC
SoHo and Greenwich Village look different today than they did when David and Sybil Yurman first lived and worked among its lofts and galleries. But the David Yurman SoHo store on Prince Street, just blocks from the iconic Mercer Street, stands as a tribute to these early artistic roots. And as the neighborhood has evolved, so has the DY Mercer® Collection—the latest designs feature expressions of proportion, material, and color.
For the first time, brilliant, cushion- and oval-cut gemstones—each set within clean bezels—enter the collection in a stunning selection of rings, introducing vibrant, colorful jewelry to DY Mercer®’s sculptural forms. Joined with hidden hinges using Stax technology, the layered rings give the illusion of multiple stacked bands in a single piece—and fan out across the hand in a dynamic expression of color. Thoughtfully engineered for comfort, every detail is designed to move with you and feel effortless on the hand. Updated earrings and toggle necklaces play with scale, rhythm, and contrast, blending polished mixed metals, Cable textures, and pavé diamonds to create fresh, modern heirlooms. In every design, the bold, creative spirit of downtown NYC lives on.
DY Mercer®’s Enduring Legacy
Every piece in the DY Mercer® collection captures a distinct sense of place, creativity, and personal expression. Fresh silhouettes and innovative constructions—from ingeniously layered jewelry featuring colorful stones to mixed metal earrings—distill the energy, freedom, and artistry of SoHo’s golden era into designs that feel timeless yet unmistakably modern.
With a lively rhythm of exaggerated oval links, DY Mercer® chains capture the bold creativity at the heart of downtown, New York City, where founders Sybil and David Yurman spent so many of their early years.
Collectible, versatile, and deeply rooted in David Yurman history, every unique design in the DY Mercer® collection embodies NYC’s creative heart—and reflects David Yurman’s original artistic vision.
DY Mercer®’s Enduring Legacy
Every piece in the DY Mercer® collection captures a distinct sense of place, creativity, and personal expression. Fresh silhouettes and innovative constructions—from ingeniously layered jewelry featuring colorful stones to mixed metal earrings—distill the energy, freedom, and artistry of SoHo’s golden era into designs that feel timeless yet unmistakably modern.
With a lively rhythm of exaggerated oval links, DY Mercer® chains capture the bold creativity at the heart of downtown, New York City, where founders Sybil and David Yurman spent so many of their early years.
Collectible, versatile, and deeply rooted in David Yurman history, every unique design in the DY Mercer® collection embodies NYC’s creative heart—and reflects David Yurman’s original artistic vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inspiration behind the DY Mercer® Collection?
The DY Mercer® Collection is inspired by David and Sybil Yurman’s early years as artists—David a sculptor, Sybil a painter and ceramicist—in 1980s SoHo, New York City. The neighborhood was home to David’s first art studio and, at the time, was defined by its spirit of creative experimentation. Today, the collection’s sculpted oval links, a modern mix of metals, and vibrant, cushion-shaped gemstones have an effortless feel, designed to channel the artist’s creative spirit.
Are DY Mercer® pieces meant to be worn every day?
Yes. While the silhouettes are bold and expressive, each piece is engineered with comfort and designed to wear effortlessly—true to David Yurman’s vision of relaxed, distinctly American luxury.
How should I care for my DY Mercer® jewelry?
To maintain brilliance, store DY Mercer® pieces separately in a soft pouch to protect polished surfaces and gemstones. Clean gold and silver designs with a gentle polishing cloth, and avoid harsh chemicals, lotions, or ultrasonic cleaners — especially for styles featuring gemstones. We recommend visiting your nearest David Yurman boutique for complimentary professional cleaning.
What materials are used in the DY Mercer® Collection?
DY Mercer® designs are crafted from 18K gold, sterling silver, and pavé-set diamonds, as well as our signature cushion- and oval-shaped gemstones in colorful combinations—from vibrant iolites and citrines to tourmalines—each one carefully selected and cut with light-reflecting facets.