IndependentsJul 13, 2022
Sissy’s Log Cabin Cuts Ribbon on Its Sixth StoreIndependentsJul 14, 2022
Seaman Schepps Opens Madison Avenue Boutique
It has a vault of historic pieces.
Seaman Schepps opened its first New York City boutique in 1921, operating a location there for most of the next 100 years. After closing its Park Avenue store in 2020, the company has now opened this Madison Avenue storefront. (Image courtesy of Kris Tamburello)
New York—Seaman Schepps is fêting 118 years in business with a new store.
The New York City-headquartered brand has outposts on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach and in Nantucket’s historic town center.
For most of the last century it has maintained one New York City boutique, with its longest-standing retail space at 485 Park Avenue closing after 61 years in 2020.
Now, its Big Apple brick-and-mortar experience is back, with a bi-level space at 824 Madison Avenue, on the corner of 69th Street and Madison Avenue.
Favored over the years by such style luminaries as Marlene Dietrich and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the brand’s Madison Avenue storefront will sell signatures like turbo shell earrings and mousetrap bracelets, plus new designs that continue to integrate unusual materials like wood, alongside gold, coral, and gemstones.
The new space will lean into the brand’s history, housing a vault of historic pieces and 5,000 original sketches often with the name of the intended client, such as the Duchess of Windsor and American publisher Blanche Knopf.
Pieces created for American heiress Doris Duke will be on display for the first time in 15 years, including a grape cluster brooch made of both pale and brightly-colored sapphires with a diamond pavé leaf and smaller engraved emerald leaves.
Visitors can also see necklaces made for American opera singer Marguerite Wenner-Gren, spouse of industrialist Axel Wenner-Gren. Crafted in the 1940s, the necklaces feature stones from the eponymous founder’s private bead collection gathered over decades, as well as pearls and gold spheres.
In celebration of the new store, the brand will host historic vault viewings for guests to see the privately-owned archival collection, including works that were the focal point of the Somerset House (U.K.) Schepps Centennial Exhibition, as well as pieces loaned to the Museum of Arts and Design.
Seaman Schepps’ current owner, Anthony Hopenhajm, acquired the brand in 1992.
He envisioned the new boutique as an homage to Parisian salons of the early 20th century, where writers and artists gathered to socialize and discuss topics of the day.
To bring his vision to life, interior designer Penny Drue Baird, who is based between Paris and New York, created French-inspired interiors.
The New York City-headquartered brand has outposts on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach and in Nantucket’s historic town center.
For most of the last century it has maintained one New York City boutique, with its longest-standing retail space at 485 Park Avenue closing after 61 years in 2020.
Now, its Big Apple brick-and-mortar experience is back, with a bi-level space at 824 Madison Avenue, on the corner of 69th Street and Madison Avenue.
Favored over the years by such style luminaries as Marlene Dietrich and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the brand’s Madison Avenue storefront will sell signatures like turbo shell earrings and mousetrap bracelets, plus new designs that continue to integrate unusual materials like wood, alongside gold, coral, and gemstones.
The new space will lean into the brand’s history, housing a vault of historic pieces and 5,000 original sketches often with the name of the intended client, such as the Duchess of Windsor and American publisher Blanche Knopf.
Pieces created for American heiress Doris Duke will be on display for the first time in 15 years, including a grape cluster brooch made of both pale and brightly-colored sapphires with a diamond pavé leaf and smaller engraved emerald leaves.
Visitors can also see necklaces made for American opera singer Marguerite Wenner-Gren, spouse of industrialist Axel Wenner-Gren. Crafted in the 1940s, the necklaces feature stones from the eponymous founder’s private bead collection gathered over decades, as well as pearls and gold spheres.
In celebration of the new store, the brand will host historic vault viewings for guests to see the privately-owned archival collection, including works that were the focal point of the Somerset House (U.K.) Schepps Centennial Exhibition, as well as pieces loaned to the Museum of Arts and Design.
Seaman Schepps’ current owner, Anthony Hopenhajm, acquired the brand in 1992.
He envisioned the new boutique as an homage to Parisian salons of the early 20th century, where writers and artists gathered to socialize and discuss topics of the day.
To bring his vision to life, interior designer Penny Drue Baird, who is based between Paris and New York, created French-inspired interiors.
Seaman Schepps owner Anthony Hopenhajm in front of the spiral staircase at the new Madison Avenue boutique (Image courtesy of Kris Tamburello)
Blue and beige are the store’s new colors. (Image courtesy of Kris Tamburello)
Jewels on display in walnut vitrines
The spiral staircase leads to a lower level that houses the Seaman Schepps historical archive, including original jewelry sketches.
It also houses a space for intimate private events and jewelry showings.
The store’s color palette is a blue and beige combination that acts as a palette cleanser to the colorful Seaman Schepps jewelry.
A spiral staircase connecting the store’s levels is hand-painted in a faux steel and warm walnut finish. The lower level houses the historic vault and a private event space.
An Italian Rococo mirror circa the 1850s that hung in the brand’s previous Park Avenue store is a décor center piece, as is a Baccarat steel and crystal chandelier and a walnut vitrine also from the former location.
From the exterior, 50 feet of window displays allow for seasonal changes. They feature original watercolor backdrops by artist Diana Heimann and a selection of jewels among natural materials like wood, stone, and shells.
But Hopenhajm’s Parisian interior inspiration doesn’t supplant the new store’s New York identity, he explained.
“Seaman Schepps jewels are the proud product of New York. The brand is an amalgam of New York style—bold and irreverent—utilizing unexpected materials, including wood mixed with gold, baroque pearls, and diamonds—a real high-low mix—with all pieces proudly produced in our New York City workshop,” he said.
“I couldn’t be happier to be a part of Madison Avenue’s resurgence and celebrate the energy and enthusiasm of the city at our new location, where we will unveil never-before-seen drawings by Schepps along with pieces from the family’s private collection and ephemera from the original store.”
Seaman Schepps founded his namesake company in 1904. A born-and-bred New Yorker, he began his brand on the West Coast, bouncing between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
In 1921, he returned to New York for good, opening the city’s first Seaman Schepps boutique.
The Madison Avenue store opened quietly in June.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
