Known as “the jewelers’ jeweler,” Oscar Heyman (1888–1970) designed pieces for Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston and Black, Starr & Frost. The family-run Oscar Heyman & Brothers jewelry company was founded by Heyman with his brothers Nathan and Harry in 1912. Jewelers from Latvia, they had trained at their great-uncle’s workshop, which had clients including Russian imperial jeweler Fabergé, before immigrating to the United States in the early 1900s.
After arriving in New York, Oscar worked with Pierre Cartier and Nathan was a tool maker at Western Electric before they came together to open their jewelry business. Highly skilled craftsmen, the Heyman brothers quickly developed a roster of high-profile clients — primarily big-name jewelers — drawn to their work with dazzling stones and meticulous design. In 1917, Black, Starr & Frost commissioned the brothers to design an American flag brooch, which would become a recurring motif in the Oscar Heyman & Brothers portfolio. They also designed the Pansy brooch in the 1930s, another long-popular accessory that was produced exclusively for Tiffany & Co. toward the end of the 20th century. After Heyman designed for four of the five jewelers on view at the 1939 World’s Fair House of Jewels (Cartier, Udall & Ballou, Marcus & Co. and Black, Starr & Frost), the company was given the moniker “the jewelers’ jeweler.”
Heyman & Brothers later designed gem-encrusted medallions that traveled to the moon on Apollo 16, the necklace setting for the 69-carat diamond Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor in 1969 and even a pair of ruby-encrusted Stuart Weitzman stilettos in 2003. Over the years, the company has entranced such clients as Evelyn Lauder, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Billy Porter and Tina Fey with its pieces.
In 2012, the century-old jeweler underwent a rebranding to simplify its name to Oscar Heyman and today is still run by the Heyman family, which manages the whole process from alloying their own metal to cutting and polishing their gemstones to assembling the final product in-house. In 2017, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston published a monograph authored by Yvonne J. Markowitz and Elizabeth Hamilton that details for a broader audience the history of Oscar Heyman, an unsung company that’s long been behind some of the biggest names in jewelry.
Shop authentic Oscar Heyman rings, brooches and bracelets on 1stDibs.
1970s 1.94 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage 1970s 1.94 carat sapphire and 0.87 carat diamond, platinum cluster style cocktail ring; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This s...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1950s 3.50 Carat Sapphire and 2.50 Carat Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with Cabochon Sapphires weighing a total of approximately 3.50 carats and Round Brilliant and Baguette cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 2.50 ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
Raymond Yard Sapphire and Diamond Ring
By Raymond C. Yard
Located in New York, NY
Raymond Yard Sapphire and Diamond Ring This refined Raymond Yard ring combines timeless elegance with exceptional craftsmanship. Designed in pla...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 2.60 Carat Ceylon Sapphire 1 Carat Diamond Platinum Ring Circa 1945
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage 2.60 carat octagonal Ceylon sapphire and 1 carat diamond, platinum cluster dress ring; part of our diverse vintage sapphire jewelry collection...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Sophia D. 1.92 Carat Blue Sapphire and Diamond Platinum Ring
By Sophia D
Located in New York, NY
1.92 carats center round diamond with blue sapphires with the weight of 0.95 carats and small diamonds with the total weight of 0.73 carat set in platinum. Sophia D by Joseph Dardas...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco Sapphire and Diamond Ring, circa 1925
Located in London, GB
Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring. Set centrally with a round old cut diamond in an open back claw setting with a weight of 1.70 carats, additionally set with fourteen tapered step ...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Platinum
Oscar Heyman Brothers Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring, American, circa 1925.
By Oscar Heyman
Located in London, GB
Art Deco sapphire and diamond ring by Oscar Heyman Brothers. Set to centre with three square step cut natural unenhanced Ceyl...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Oscar Heyman Mid-Century Sapphire Ring
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-century bombé sapphire and diamond cocktail ring was designed and created in 1950 by Oscar Heyman. The high-domed top is formed of seven arched lines of sapphire baguettes i...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
1950s 2.82 Carat Ceylon Sapphire and 1.95 Carat Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage 2.82 carat Ceylon sapphire and 1.80 carat diamond, platinum cocktail ring; part of our diverse vintage jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive Ceylon sapphire ring with diamonds has been crafted in platinum. The pierced decorated, twisted multi-stranded design is ornamented with a feature 2.82ct oval brilliant cut unheated Ceylon sapphire The spiralling platinum setting is embellished with thirty-six pavé set eight-cut diamonds, totalling 1.80cts. The multi-stranded ring shoulders integrate with the main setting at a lobed design and amalgamate to form the plain ring shank. The ring is hallmarked to the interior of the shank with the platinum fineness mark (PT950). This vintage sapphire cocktail ring...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Italian 2.50 Carat Sapphire 0.70 Carat Diamond 18k White Gold Ring Circa 1960
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage Italian 2.50 carat sapphire and 0.70 carat diamond, 18 karat white gold floral ring; part of our vintage sapphire jewelry collection. This st...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Mid Century GIA 1.53 carat Ceylon sapphire diamond platinum cocktail ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Mid Century cocktail ring from the 1950's showcases a round brilliant cut sapphire weighing 1.53 carats, GIA-certified as a heated Ceylon sapphire from Sri Lanka. Its rich, velv...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco diamond sapphire platinum ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Art Deco ring is a study in geometric elegance, its surface alive with the antique sparkle of 24 old European single and rose cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.50 carat comb...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco diamond sapphire platinum ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This elegant Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring is a beautifully detailed jewel from the 1930’s, featuring 19 old mine and single cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.50 carat in to...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Mid Century GIA 4.30 carat Ceylon sapphire diamond platinum three stone ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A true statement piece, this Mid Century three stone ring from the 1950's centers on an oval brilliant cut sapphire weighing an impressive 4.30 carats, GIA-certified as a heated Ceyl...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Art Deco style diamond sapphire platinum ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Made in the style of Art Deco, this platinum ring centers on 9 old European and old mine cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.80 carat in total. Their antique faceting, graded H-I c...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1.35 carat sapphire diamond platinum ring pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This impressive vintage sapphire and diamond ring pendant is a bold 1980’s design, centered by a round cut sapphire weighing 1.35 carats. The sapphire brings rich blue color and clas...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
