A David Webb necklace in 18-karat gold and platinum featuring coral drops, cabochon sapphires, cabochon emeralds, and brilliant-cut diamonds. The New York-based jeweler has been acquired by private investment group Middle West Partners.
New York—David Webb has been acquired by private investment group Middle West Partners for an undisclosed amount.
Founded by David Webb in 1948, the brand is best known for its signature animal jewelry, as well as its intricate gold work and use of colored gemstones.
"We were drawn to David Webb because among luxury houses, David Webb truly stands alone. The extensive original archives and unwavering commitment to exceptional craftsmanship—all deeply rooted in the house’s American heritage—made this an opportunity we simply couldn't overlook,” said Kevin Kelleher, managing partner of Middle West Partners.
“In our new stewardship, we feel a profound responsibility to honor our founder's vision, serve our loyal clients, and preserve the remarkable legacy of this iconic house."
Middle West Partners, founded in 2022, is an investment platform that focuses on consumer retail, sports, and entertainment.
David Webb’s previous owner, Mark Emanuel, acquired the company in 2010 alongside his business partner Robert Sadian, who is no longer involved in the business, as per a company spokesperson.
After Webb’s death in 1975, the business had been run by his partner Nina Silberstein and her family, who then sold it to Emanuel and Sadian.
The company was said to be in a rough financial state at the time, and the new owners had a lot of work to do to revive the brand.
Emanuel dove into the David Webb archives, full of sketches yet to become jewelry, for inspiration. He hired more master jewelers to create them, including some who had worked under Webb.
He also refreshed its retail footprint, opening a new flagship in New York in 2011 and moving the brand back into its original Beverly Hills, California, location in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in 2015.
The company also began wholesaling with major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.
Post-acquisition, Emanuel will continue to hold a minority stake and have an active role in the company, according to its announcement.
Pop Capital, a New York-based private equity firm that specializes in the luxury market, co-invested with Middle West Partners in the transaction, with jewelry veteran Ray Simpson joining the David Webb board.
A selection of David Webb jewelry loaned out for HBO’s “The White Lotus”
The investment group said it will take a careful, long-term view on growth, focusing on David Webb’s retail footprint, its marketing and events, and its team, while also supporting its existing customer relationships and personalized customer experience.
David Webb also has appointed a new CEO, James Weiss, who advised the business on this transaction and has worked with the company since 2017. Prior to his appointment, there was no official CEO.
“David Webb is an American treasure. Its unique design vocabulary, its heritage, its remarkable atelier, and its untapped archives provide an extraordinary foundation for continued growth,” said Weiss.
The jeweler’s workshop, archives, and flagship are located on Madison Avenue in New York City’s Upper East Side neighborhood.
It also has retail locations in Beverly Hills, California, and Doha, Qatar, with retail partnerships and activations worldwide.
