Sybil and David Yurman’s New Book Celebrates a Lifetime of Love — and Jewellery

Sybil and David Yurman can’t agree on the origin of the Cable collection. Sybil, who is lovingly described by husband David as “the keeper of the flame” of the brand, believes that the design, created in the early ’80s, was influenced by David’s brass brazing rods — the tools he still uses today to work on his first artistic love: sculpting. David, on the other hand, sees the inspiration as much more subliminal and credits the classical pillars and twisted wires of the ancient Minoans and Celts as the calling for such timeless design.

Despite their differing recollections, both of the Yurmans suggest a classic and enduring feeling that resonates with not only their union but also the resulting family empire. The journey to creating the Cable collection and beyond is told from start to finish in Sybil and David Yurman: Artists and Jewelers, a beautiful 352-page tome that debuted in November.

The book tells the intimate and unexpected love story of the Yurmans, who started out as two young artists with their own very distinct impressions of the world and have spent the past 50 years evolving their individual aesthetics into a singular vision through their love of jewellery and, ultimately, for each other.

An enticing behind-the-scenes look for any art or jewellery lover, the book depicts David, Sybil and their son, Evan, through more than 400 images from the Yurmans’ personal archives, including family photographs, sketches and artworks, many of which have never been made public before now. Other images will likely be more familiar, including the iconic black-and-white advertisements shot by Peter Lindbergh in St. Barts in the 2000s, which featured the likes of Kate Moss.

“When I first saw the finished book, I wasn’t sure that I liked it,” David begins, describing the self-reflective process of the past two and a half years as simultaneously painful and joyful. “Now that I’ve spent time going through every page and looking at it as an entity, I do like it and I think it is truthful.” He adds that part of the conflicting nature of creating an autobiography is an artist’s inclination to always be looking forward. “We live in constant motion and very seldom look back. We’re always creating and building.”

To this day, what began as a family business remains as such. Evan took over as president of the company in 2021, and today the brand remains a truly impressive feat in an industry crowded with luxury conglomerates.

The irony, of course, is that David Yurman, one of America’s largest privately owned jewellery houses, was started by two self-described beatniks living in Greenwich Village in 1969. Sybil was a painter and ceramicist and David a sculptor, and both were following the counterculture art movements between New York and California (even hitchhiking from one to the other). They met when Sybil, who was looking for a job, walked into the sculpture studio where David was working. She fell in love with his work and then, eventually, with him.

“David made everything by hand, and it was how beautifully he finished the metals that was so touching,” says Sybil. “They were very sensual pieces.” When David made her a sculpture that she could actually wear, their jewellery brand was born.

Now, decades after David personally soldered their gold wedding bands, the couple are still as hands-on within the company as they are with their independent art. Many of Sybil’s paintings (one of which is featured on the cover of the book) have served as inspiration for new jewellery pieces, including the popular X and Crossover motifs, the latter of which is often used in their engagement and wedding designs.

“It’s about lives crossing over between interests,” explains Sybil, “like how David and I can come together and make one piece of jewellery with two different opinions and points of view.”

Neither one could have imagined the outcome of their artistic pursuits resulting in their becoming “part of the establishment” or creating a legacy heritage brand that remains in their family. “I never would have written this,” admits David. But the integrity of the inspiration and legacy remains clear, which is perhaps the couple’s true source of success. Just like their Cable collection, they have spent decades entwined in each other’s lives and art.

“Sybil and I disagree more than we agree on so many things, and with that conflict comes resolutions,” says David. “I think it keeps us together. We just love to make beautiful things — things that mean something to both of us.”

The Highlight Reel

With such an extensive archive, its hard to pick favourites. So consider the below an assortment of David Yurman’s most renowned pieces that any jewellery connoisseur should have in their closet.

Stax Five Row Ring

Made of stunning 18-karat yellow gold and rows of sparkling pavé diamonds, this innovative ring captures the motion of multiple strands with a single sophisticated statement piece.

Black Onyx Classic Cable Bracelet

One of David Yurman’s signature pieces, the iconic Cable bracelet is comprised of sterling silver and finished with 14-karat yellow gold details. Pictured is the black onyx iteration, but this legendary cuff is also available in blue topaz, pearl, amethyst and many other jewelled finishes.

Crossover Three Row Cuff Bracelet

Following the jeweller’s favoured use of movement to create dynamic pieces, this three-row bracelet meticulously combines smooth and cabled cords in sterling silver and 14-karat gold for a truly one-of-a-kind cuff.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s Winter 2025 issue. Find out more here.