“Women are tired of jewelry-looking jewelry,” celebrated American designer David Webb once noted. In response, he created a menagerie of whimsical animals rendered as rings, brooches, earrings and, especially, bangle bracelets. This playfulness permeates all Webb’s work, which is characterized by brightly hued enamel and color-saturated semiprecious stones like coral, azurmalachite and turquoise, the notable exception being the clear, elegant rock crystal for which he had an affinity.
The North Carolina native apprenticed with his uncle, a silversmith, before moving to New York, where he established David Webb Inc. in 1948. He had no formal training in jewelry design. Instead, he culled inspiration from the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Americas, as well as the traditions of India and China — influences discernible in such pieces as his collar necklaces and talisman-like sautoirs.
Webb’s first animal bracelet was produced in 1957. His most famous, the zebra, took shape in 1963; its stripes now form the company’s logo. Although Webb died in 1975, his company continues to produce designs drawn from his extensive archives, and every piece is still made in the workshop above its Madison Avenue store.
Find an alluring collection of David Webb jewelry on 1stDibs, including earrings, brooches and other accessories.
David Webb 18KWG/Plat Aquamarine Bead, Pearl and Diamond Rondelle Necklace
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This David Webb necklace features a single strand of graduated cultured pearls, centered by a large, tumbled aquamarine bead that is flanked by two rondelles pavé-set with brilliant-...
Diamond, Pearl, Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
David Webb 18KWG/Plat Emerald Bead, Pearl and Diamond Rondelle Necklace
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This sophisticated David Webb necklace features a single, vibrant cabochon emerald bead flanked by diamond-set rondelles, integrated into a classic strand of luminous cultured pearls...
Diamond, Pearl, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
David Webb 18KWG/Plat Amber Bead, Pearl and Diamond Rondelle Necklace
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This sophisticated David Webb necklace features a single, large tumbled amber bead as a central focal point, accented by two diamond-set rondelles and integrated into a graduated str...
Diamond, Pearl, Amber, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
David Webb 18KWG/Plat Amber Bead, Pearl and Diamond Rondelle Necklace
By David Webb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This David Webb necklace features a single strand of graduated cultured pearls, accented by a large, tumbled amber bead that is set between two rondelles pavé-set with brilliant-cut ...
Diamond, Pearl, Amber, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Laura Munder 18K White Gold Gray Pearl Necklace with Blue Topaz Ball Clasp
By Laura Munder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Laura Munder necklace features lustrous gray pearls with a captivating blue topaz ball catch - in 18 karat white gold. The 52 round blue topaz weigh approximately 4.25 total car...
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold 3 Strand Pearl Necklace with a Sapphire and Pave Diamond Center
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This luxurious three-strand pearl necklace showcases a stunning Art Deco-inspired center station set in 18K yellow gold, featuring a vibrant cabochon sapphire framed by a geometric a...
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
3.5 Carats Diamonds and Sapphires in Platinum with South Sea Pearl Necklace
By Kiersten Elizabeth
Located in Southport, CT
Gorgeous long necklace featuring a stunning Art Deco focal point. One of a kind and hand knotted between each pearl. Sapphire and Diamond Focal Point weighting approximately 3.5 Carats Total Weight (53) South Sea Keshi...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal Bead Necklace with Diamond Clasp
By Michael Rose
Located in London, GB
An opal, lapis lazuli and rock crystal bead necklace with a diamond set clasp This Art Deco inspired bead necklace features the bold colour palate evocative of a golden period in je...
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Opal, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Blue Sapphire Beads Cts 188.06 and Diamond Roundel Necklace With 18k White Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Burma Unheated Sapphire Bead Necklace with diamond roundels in 18 K white gold. Featuring 188.06 carats of luxurious blue sapphire beads sourced from Burma and boasting a natural be...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
David Webb Pearl, Diamond, Onyx & Rock Crystal Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Platinum · Diamonds · Onyx · Rock crystal · Pearls · 1980s Bold, graphic, and unmistakably powerful, this exceptional necklace by David Webb is a masterful expression of the house’s...
Crystal, Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Platinum
David Webb Pearl Amethyst and Chalcedony Necklace
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Pearl Amethyst and Chalcedony Necklace A massive David Webb necklace with five strands featuring cultured pearls, round chalcedony beads, round and tumbled amethyst bead...
Amethyst, Chalcedony, Pearl, 18k Gold
Alex Jona Blue Diamond White Gold Beaded Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona collection, hand crafted, white gold chain necklace featuring 76 blue diamonds weighing 14.45 carats in total. Dimensions: L 46cm/18in, W 0.15in/3.89mm. This piece will ar...
Blue Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
