“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.
Late Art Deco Diamond And Platinum Ring, 1.60 carats, Circa 1940
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco, Odeonesque style, diamond cocktail ring, with three, claw set, round old-cut diamonds, on a baguette and eight-cut diamond set stepped fan, mounted in platinum, with an ...
Diamond, Platinum
Art Deco Sapphire, Diamond and Platinum Ring, Circa 1930
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco sapphire and diamond oval plaque ring, with an Edwardian-cut diamond, in the centre of a decorative openwork cluster of round brilliant and Edwardian-cut diamonds, in mil...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage French Diamond and Platinum Bombé Ring, Circa 1960, 10.50 Carats
Located in London, GB
A vintage, French, diamond and platinum bombé ring, with a design of four, graduating rows of round brilliant-cut diamonds, in a raised dome, flanked by scalloped rows, set with most...
Diamond, Platinum
Edwardian Diamond, Platinum and Gold Three Stone Plaque Ring, Circa 1910
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian, navette shaped plaque ring, with two old-cut, pear shaped diamonds, set lengthways, either side of an emerald-cut centre diamond, in rub over settings, flanked by a tul...
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Art Deco Style Cabochon Sapphire, Diamond and Platinum Ring
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco style sapphire and diamond ring, with a cabochon sapphire, in a four claw setting, with shoulders channel set with baguette diamonds, either side of a baguette sapphire, ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage Sapphire, Diamond and White Gold Crossover Ring, Circa 1990
Located in London, GB
A vintage sapphire and diamond crossover ring, with a pear shaped sapphire and a pear shaped diamond in each terminal, in claw settings, divided by four tapered baguette diamonds, in...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
1980s David Webb 18k gold, enamel and diamond cocktail ring
By David Webb
Located in London, GB
This hefty 1980s David Webb dome ring is made of 18k gold and enamel and adorned with a geometric design in round cut diamonds. It is part of a set with matching clip-on earrings tha...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
David Webb Rock Crystal and Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Ring
By David Webb
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
David Webb rock crystal and diamond bombe shape ring featuring 58 bead set round brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated total weight of 2.3 carats. G color, VS clarity. Signed Webb...
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold
David Webb Carved Crystal Diamond Platinum Gold Cocktail Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Iconic carved crystal cocktail ring by David Webb, set in platinum with 14k gold, featuring approx. 1.80ctw in H/VS-Si diamonds. Ring size 5.5, top is 23mm x 30mm. Comes with David W...
Crystal, Diamond, Gold, Platinum
David Webb 1970s 18k gold & enamel cocktail ring with approx. 6 carats diamonds
By David Webb
Located in London, GB
This magnificent cocktail ring by David Webb dates back to 1970s. Made of 18k gold, it is adorned with enamel and approximately 6 carats of round and baguette cut diamonds. The ring ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
David Webb Platinum & 18K White Gold Rock Crystal, Diamonds, Black Enamel, Pearl
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
The cocktail ring was developed for the rebellious twenties flapper. Deliberately bold and eye-catching, it was designed to attract attention to the drink in her hand during prohibit...
Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum, E...
David Webb Carved Rock Crystal and Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in Bethesda, MD
From David Webb a carved Crystal and diamond ring ♦ Designer: Davis Webb ♦ Metal: 18 karat and platinum ♦ Circa 1980s ♦ Rock Crystal 14 X 19m...
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Platinum
