It was 1906 when brothers Oscar and Nathan Heyman arrived in New York as immigrants from Latvia, where they had been apprenticing for the House of Fabergé. Just thirteen and sixteen, they proved irreplaceable when it came to knowledge and skill, especially crucial to the Fabergé style, of working with platinum and using a special torch for high-heat techniques. It wasn’t long before Oscar was noticed by Pierre Cartier and hired as the first non-French jeweler to work for the Cartier house. In 1912, the two brothers were joined by a third, Harry, who brought the skills of a trained tool-and-die maker, and together, they founded Oscar Heyman. Once established, the brand quickly gained notoriety for creating exquisite pieces. In the years that followed, six more siblings would join them in becoming the standard for exceptional jewelry, using only the finest gemstones, and never wavering from the original vision: employing the finest craftsmanship to create jewelry of unmatched beauty and durability. Now, over a century later, piloted by second and third generations, they remain family-owned and operated. Considered the hallmark of timeless design, they are known throughout the world as the jeweler’s jeweler.
The Jeweler’s Jeweler
Since the beginning, Oscar Heyman pieces were notorious for their dedication to precision and artistry. Oscar Heyman was among the first jewelers to travel from America to Asia to source stones directly from cutters rather than relying on intermediaries. Oscar Heyman was considered the go-to when you had a design you needed brought to fruition. Before it became industry standard to rely on gemological reports, jewelry collectors sought out the expertise of Oscar Heyman when they needed to identify stones of the highest quality. Behind the scenes, Oscar Heyman produced pieces for Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, and Cartier, using their signatures, but their quality left no question as to who their designer was. It wasn’t until the 1939 World’s Fair that it became very apparent: Oscar Heyman’s unmistakable hallmark was present in all five exhibitions in the House of Jewels.
Years Later: Still Iconic
Because the Heyman brothers were highly skilled in working with platinum, Heyman is still recognized for its platinum settings, blooming in sapphires, emeralds, and rubies – creating an opulent yet enduring look. First introduced in the 1930s, the floral brooch, especially the Gardenia and Pansy, remains beloved pieces for their refined yet whimsical nature. And in 1969, they were responsible for setting the legendary Taylor-Burton diamond necklace, permanently sealing their place in Hollywood’s world of glamour and jewelry history.
In a world of ever-evolving ideas, casting, and CAD, Oscar Heyman has remained true to its values: every piece is crafted in-house, every step of production overseen, and every product born of heirloom quality. Rooted in old-world techniques, Oscar Heyman continues to influence contemporary jewelry because it marries classic sensibility with modern elegance. They still house their own tool-and-die shop, which is considered a rarity in today’s industry. Oscar Heyman isn’t just a brand with timeless appeal, though; they are proof that by maintaining integrity, innovation, and respect for the materials and methods that define luxury, you can create a legacy: just like the legacy built by Oscar, Nathan, and Harry Heyman.
Explore our selection of Oscar Heyman pieces at Shreve & Co. Visit us in Palo Alto today!