Cabochon azurmalachite and emeralds, brilliant-cut diamonds, polished 18K gold, and platinum

SPIN

Bold colors, daring shapes — it’s clear why David Webb jewelry consistently stands out on the pages of high fashion magazines. Though his impact on the usage of gems in jewelry is covered less often, his contribution has been equally as important to the world of luxury high jewelry. 

When David Webb first started designing, the club pin of diamonds and twisted 18K gold was a hit; then, he was repurposing pearls and diamond cocktail rings. His discerning clients kept coming in the doors wanting more — and Webb made it happen, bringing cabochon turquoise and diamond jewelry into his designs. “It’s becoming on everyone. It lights up the face,” he said of the new additions to the David Webb boutique.

Soon turquoise was trumped by coral, and then azurmalachite. Azurmalachite is actually the naturally occurring combination of two minerals, azurite and malachite. Together they create an electric combination; not only does azurmalachite accentuate blue-green eyes, it has the calming effect of nature’s hues, land and ocean combining to evoke thoughts of our planet earth. Look no further than the Crescent earrings and the Orbit earrings for proof of the gem’s powerful, awe-inspiring impact in the hands of Webb. 

Only the most confident and talented jeweler can take a unique and sometimes misunderstood material or gemstone and create the most collectable and appealing jewels. In a workshop on the David Webb premises, unique gemstones are carved to create incredibly wearable pieces. David Webb: The Quintessential American Jeweler features a fashion photograph shot in 1992 for Manhattan Magazine with the model wearing an extraordinary stack of eight David Webb animal bracelets, and among these is an exceptional carved azurmalachite elephant bracelet. There’s a fish floating out there somewhere too. 

Webb’s azurmalachite pieces have even garnered celebrity attention. In 2011, Jessica Alba wore a David Webb azurmalachite necklace on the BAFTA awards red carpet.