GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormGradingApr 23, 2024
GIA Has a New Book About William Ruser
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
“William Ruser: The Jeweler Who Charmed Hollywood” was written by Judy Colbert, a GIA research librarian and co-authored by Peggy Tsiamis, a visual resources librarian.
Carlsbad, Calif.—GIA has published a new book, “William Ruser: The Jeweler Who Charmed Hollywood,” a story about William Ruser’s life and jewelry career.
Ruser, owner of Ruser Jewels in Beverly Hills, California, was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls.
“Ruser had a very specific look in his unique and special designs,” said the late Michael Kazanjian, an estate jeweler and former member of GIA’s board of directors.
“Like all great designers, there are certain elements within his pieces that make his work recognizable.”
Ruser became the go-to jeweler for movie stars and socialites from the 1940s to 1960s.
His celebrity clientele included Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner, and Joan Crawford.
Even today, his finer pieces regularly come up for sale and command high prices, said GIA.
In 2022, his fortune cookie brooch sold for $5,760, as part of Betty White’s jewelry auction.
Related stories will be right here …
Ruser, owner of Ruser Jewels in Beverly Hills, California, was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls.
“Ruser had a very specific look in his unique and special designs,” said the late Michael Kazanjian, an estate jeweler and former member of GIA’s board of directors.
“Like all great designers, there are certain elements within his pieces that make his work recognizable.”
Ruser became the go-to jeweler for movie stars and socialites from the 1940s to 1960s.
His celebrity clientele included Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner, and Joan Crawford.
Even today, his finer pieces regularly come up for sale and command high prices, said GIA.
In 2022, his fortune cookie brooch sold for $5,760, as part of Betty White’s jewelry auction.
Ruser learned about providing exceptional customer service when he was employed by the jewelry firm Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin, said GIA, before he opened his workshop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
At Ruser Jewels, he had 28 jewelry artisans and luxuriously appointed showrooms, said GIA.
In 1969, his business closed, and the location was acquired by Van Cleef & Arpels.
“William Ruser: The Jeweler Who Charmed Hollywood” was written by GIA research librarian Judy Colbert and co-authored by visual resources librarian Peggy Tsiamis.
Ruser’s story was gathered through research and interviews with family and people who knew him professionally.
A section of the book is also dedicated to the story of Cyril and Vera Wood, the couple who designed Ruser’s figural jewelry.
The book is 125 pages and includes over 100 images.
It is available for purchase on GIA’s online store.
More on Grading
The Latest
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into DisarrayThe 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in IndiaDe Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term WorriesThey are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
A Helping Hand: An Effort to Boost Inclusivity in the IndustryJewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Goes Back in Time With First Estate CollectionThe collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names Marcus ter Haar as President-ElectHe previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s New Jane Goodall Collection Calls for PeaceIts second collaboration with the conservationist features jewelry with dove and olive branch motifs.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
SRK Launches Kriam PharmaThe diamond manufacturer’s new company will provide accessible and affordable high-quality medicines across India.
ColumnistsSep 23, 2025
Quiet Luxury: What Fall’s Top Trend Means for JewelersEmmanuel Raheb shares tips on how a jeweler’s showcases, marketing, and social media presence can whisper, instead of shout.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Ames Watson Completes $140M Acquisition of Claire’sThe private equity firm has a plan to revive the mall staple.
SourcingSep 23, 2025
Super Smalls’ New Book Introduces Kids to Gems, Fine JewelryThe “Super Book of Gems” dives into the Mohs Hardness Scale, the Four C’s, and designs from jewelers like Cartier and Bulgari.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Mattioli Names Kering Exec as New CEOClaudio Pasta will take the lead at the Italian fine jewelry brand, succeeding company founder Licia Mattioli.
CollectionsSep 23, 2025
Monique Lhuillier Adds Fashion Jewelry to Kay Jewelers LineThe new lab-grown diamond jewelry offering is the latest expansion of the designer’s “Bliss” collection.
SourcingSep 22, 2025
Rio Tinto Announces Final ‘Beyond Rare’ TenderThe miner is honoring the end of an era with an offering of 52 lots from the now-closed Argyle and the soon-to-close Diavik mines.
MajorsSep 22, 2025
Jewelry Manufacturer Vibhor Acquires AlorThe California-based fine jewelry brand will retain its identity post-acquisition, with new collections launching next year.
CollectionsSep 22, 2025
Gurhan's Collection is an 'Untamed' ZooThe “Untamed” collection centers on carved gemstone jewelry depicting a range of animals embodying one of the four elemental forces.
Policies & IssuesSep 22, 2025
Ethical Metalsmiths Has a New Name Founded in 2004, the organization is now called the Community for Ethical Jewelry.
EditorsSep 19, 2025
These Female Athletes Had the Best Jewelry of the SummerFrom Coco Gauff’s hoops to Madison Keys’ diamond medallion, these are Senior Editor Lenore Fedow’s standout jewelry looks of the season.
CollectionsSep 19, 2025
Piece of the Week: Vanessa Fernández Studio’s ‘Curva’ Wrap HoopsThe trendy earrings feature asymmetrical drops, one with a grossular garnet and the other with a diamond.
Recorded WebinarsSep 19, 2025
Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using TikTok and Instagram ReelsFour social media marketing experts discuss their go-to methods and favorite tools for making high-quality short-form video content.
