Oscar Heyman & Brothers

Oscar Heyman & Brothers

Company type	Privately held company
Industry	Jewelry design and manufacturing
Founded	October 1, 1912 (1912-10-01) in New York City, United States
Founder	Oscar Heyman, Nathan Heyman, Harry Heyman
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Key people	Adam C. Heyman (President), Thomas Heyman (Co-President), Lewis Heyman (Co-President)
Products	High-end jewelry, colored gemstone jewelry
Number of employees	Not specified (employs designers, jewelers, lapidaries, setters, engravers)

Oscar Heyman & Brothers is a distinguished American company specializing in high-end jewellery design and production. The firm is celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship and expertise with colored gemstones. Often referred to within the trade as The Jewelers’ Jeweler, it has been featured in a publication released by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

History

The business was established in 1912 in New York City by brothers Oscar, Nathan, and Harry Heyman. Subsequently, their younger siblings George, William, and Louis, alongside their sisters Frances and Lena, joined the enterprise. Currently, the company is overseen by members of the second and third family generations. Leadership includes Adam C. Heyman serving as President, with Thomas Heyman and Lewis Heyman acting as Co-Presidents.

Manufacturing

Oscar and Nathan developed their skills in platinum jewelry making during apprenticeships in Kharkiv, Ukraine. After immigrating to New York in 1906, they launched their own workshop on Maiden Lane in October 1912. By February 1916, the firm secured its first of six U.S. patents related to jewelry fabrication. The company’s headquarters and production facilities remain located in New York City, now situated on Madison Avenue, employing a team of designers, jewelers, lapidaries, setters, engravers, and maintaining an in-house tool and die shop.

The Jewelers’ Jeweler

At the 1939 World’s Fair, Oscar Heyman crafted pieces for four out of five retailers featured in the House of Jewels exhibit, which earned the firm its enduring moniker ‘The Jewelers’ Jeweler.’ In April 2017, this title was used for a book published by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston highlighting the company’s legacy.

Retail relationships

Oscar Heyman & Brothers functions primarily as a wholesale supplier to retail jewelers. Throughout the 20th century, they produced collections for prominent retailers including Black, Starr & Frost, Udall & Ballou, Marcus & Co, J.E. Caldwell & Co, Laykin et Cie, and Shreve, Crump & Low. From 1939 until 2001, they were responsible for manufacturing invisibly set jewelry pieces for Van Cleef & Arpels in New York prior to Richemont Group’s acquisition of majority control. The company also designed items for Tiffany & Co., such as American Flag pins, pansy brooches, and guard rings. Their partnership with Cartier began around 1910 when Oscar worked at Pierre C. Cartier’s workshop in New York. A notable creation includes the pear-shaped diamond necklace crafted in 1969 for the Taylor-Burton Diamond.

Notable Clients

Among the distinguished clientele are Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan, Evelyn Lauder, Marjorie Merriweather Post, President Jimmy Carter, Frank Lloyd Wright, John Hay Whitney, and Benno Charles Schmidt Sr.. These associations highlight the brand’s esteemed position within luxury markets.

Awards

• 2017: AGTA Spectrum Awards
• 2014: PGI-USA’s JCK Platinum Innovation Awards
• 2002: AGTA Spectrum Awards

External links

• "Oscar Heyman: The Renowned Jeweler You Might Not Know"
• "The Story of U.S. High Jeweler Oscar Heyman Featured in New Publication"
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• "Enchanting the Gems"
• "Oscar Heyman Earns the Recent 'Made in NY' Recognition"
• "Luxury Jewelry Designers from New York City to Watch"
• "Generations of Rare and Exquisite Jewelry"
• "Marketing Emotion to High-End Buyers"
• "The Journey of Oscar Heyman as the Jeweler’s Jeweler"