Collecting David Webb: A Guide to His Vintage Jewelry

David Webb is one of the great American jewelers. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1925, he moved to New York at 17 and opened his own business there in 1948. His bold gold, bright enamel and carved stones defined glamorous American jewelry in the 1960s and 1970s, and vintage pieces remain some of the most collected signed jewels today.

What makes a David Webb piece special

• Enamel animals: zebras, tigers, frogs and other creatures in colored enamel and gold, often as bracelets and cuffs.
• Bold gold: heavy, hand-finished 18-karat gold in strong sculptural shapes.
• Carved stones: rock crystal, coral, jade and other hardstones paired with diamonds and cabochon gems.
• Ancient and natural sources: designs drawn from ancient art, Maltese crosses, shells and the animal world.

Vintage and later David Webb

David Webb died in 1975, and the company has continued to make jewelry from his archive of designs. Many collectors look especially for pieces made during his lifetime, and for rare designs in fine condition.

What to check before buying

• The WEBB signature, usually stamped next to the gold or platinum mark.
• The condition of the enamel: chips and later touch-ups affect value.
• Whether the stones are original and secure.
• Buy from a specialist dealer who stands behind the piece's authenticity.

David Webb at Joseph Saidian & Sons

We offer a large selection of vintage David Webb jewelry in New York, personally examined and guaranteed authentic. We are an independent dealer and are not affiliated with David Webb. To ask about a piece, or to sell your David Webb jewelry, call 212-752-2684 or email info@saidiansons.com.

More collector's guides: Collecting JAR.