“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.
Vintage 1960s David Webb Emerald and Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and platinum with an AGL certified, Colombian origin Emerald weighing 4.43 carats, and a GIA certified Asscher cut Diamond weighing 3.10 carats, G c...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s 8.11 Carat Emerald Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum and 18k yellow gold with an AGL certified Zambian Emerald weighing 8.11 carats, and Marquise, Round Brilliant, and Pear-Shaped Diamonds weighing approximat...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s 10.08 Carat Oval Cut Colombian Emerald Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with an AGTA certified Oval cut Colombian Emerald weighing 10.08 carats, flanked by Trillion and Princess cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 5....
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique Art Deco 1930s Granat 0.85 Carat Emerald Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with an Emerald cut Emerald center stone weighing approximately 0.85 carat, as well as Old European and Single cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1940s 2.50 Carat Emerald & 4.00 Carat Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18K white gold and platinum with an Oval cut Emerald weighing approximately 2.50 carats surrounded by Round Brilliant and Baguette cut Diamonds weighing a total of ...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s 2.50 Carat Emerald Ring with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with an Emerald at the center weighing approximately 2.50 carats, surrounded by Round Brilliant and Baguette cut Diamonds weighing a total of approx...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
David Webb 8 Carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Emerald and Diamond Ring. A ring featuring a center Colombian emerald cut emerald surrounded by two rows of round cut diamonds. Emerald Weight: approximately 8.35 carats...
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s 1.49 Carat Emerald and 1.15 Carat Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 1.49 carat emerald and 1.15 carat diamond, platinum cocktail ring; part of our diverse vintage jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This stunnin...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
David Webb Emerald Diamond Ring
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Emerald Diamond Ring Approx. 15 carats of emerald, and 10 carats of diamonds, Platinum. Weight 23.0 grams, Ring size approx. 4.75-5 (US size), 15.55mm in diameter. Hallm...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Antique 0.50 Carat Emerald and 0.90 Carat Diamond Platinum Ring Circa 1920
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 0.50 carat emerald and 0.90 carat diamond, platinum square dress ring; part of our emerald jewelry collection. This stunning, fine and impres...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Midcentury Emerald and Diamond 14k White Gold Ring, circa 1950s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This grand mid-century ring, crafted in 14K white gold, showcases an impressive filigree design centered around a deep, vibrant emerald cut emerald weighing 2.50 carats. Accentuating...
Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Estate GIA Emerald 6.75cts Diamond Platinum Cocktail Ring
Located in Miami, FL
Featuring the splendor of this GIA-certified emerald engagement ring, elegantly set in platinum. The Art Deco Design ring centered approx. 4.75-carat emerald, adorned by 40 prong-s...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
