Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
TrendsFeb 13, 2017
Boston MFA to Release Book on Oscar Heyman
The publishing arm of the Museum of Fine Arts will debut “Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers’ Jeweler” on April 1.
The book’s cover features a platinum, diamond and emerald brooch made by Oscar Heyman circa 1929 for Marcus & Co. The pin once belonged to heiress and art collector Marjorie Merriweather Post.
Boston--The story of 105-year-old design house Oscar Heyman & Brothers finally is being told in illustrated form.
On April 1, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts will release “Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers’ Jeweler,” a book detailing the firm’s history and role in American high jewelry.
Yvonne J. Markowitz, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan curator emerita of jewelry at the MFA, and Elizabeth Hamilton, an independent writer and researcher, penned the book.
Started by brothers Oscar and Nathan Heyman in 1912, the company now is in its third generation and continues to make its jewelry in its New York City facility.
The book telling the company’s story is complete with photos of vintage and contemporary pieces as well as design drawings from the Oscar Heyman archives, highlighting almost 70 pieces in total that help demonstrate how the business has adapted its aesthetics and design to changing consumer demands over time.
One of the major milestones detailed in the book is the company’s participation in two World’s Fairs held in New York.
In 1939, Oscar Heyman & Brothers produced ornaments for four well-known retailers to display at the House of Jewels, one of the fair’s most extravagant exhibition pavilions.
Although the firm was relatively unknown to the public at the time, its involvement in the event cemented its reputation among its clients, with many retailers recognizing the company’s signature floral designs, craftsmanship and high-quality gems.
Though the following New York World’s Fair, held in 1964, didn’t have a dedicated jewelry pavilion, Oscar Heyman & Brothers designed the official commemorative necklace in partnership with the Linde Star Company.
On April 1, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts will release “Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers’ Jeweler,” a book detailing the firm’s history and role in American high jewelry.
Yvonne J. Markowitz, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan curator emerita of jewelry at the MFA, and Elizabeth Hamilton, an independent writer and researcher, penned the book.
Started by brothers Oscar and Nathan Heyman in 1912, the company now is in its third generation and continues to make its jewelry in its New York City facility.
The book telling the company’s story is complete with photos of vintage and contemporary pieces as well as design drawings from the Oscar Heyman archives, highlighting almost 70 pieces in total that help demonstrate how the business has adapted its aesthetics and design to changing consumer demands over time.
One of the major milestones detailed in the book is the company’s participation in two World’s Fairs held in New York.
In 1939, Oscar Heyman & Brothers produced ornaments for four well-known retailers to display at the House of Jewels, one of the fair’s most extravagant exhibition pavilions.
Although the firm was relatively unknown to the public at the time, its involvement in the event cemented its reputation among its clients, with many retailers recognizing the company’s signature floral designs, craftsmanship and high-quality gems.
Though the following New York World’s Fair, held in 1964, didn’t have a dedicated jewelry pavilion, Oscar Heyman & Brothers designed the official commemorative necklace in partnership with the Linde Star Company.
Oscar Heyman & Brothers designed this necklace in the 1970s and manufactured the piece in 1980s. It was retailed by Robe-Rose Jewelry and now is part of the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Collection at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
There also are 15 design drawings from the company’s archives including designs for patriotic World War II ornaments and a diamond and emerald necklace made in 1956, gifted decades later by singer Michael Jackson to Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor.
“For more than a century, Oscar Heyman & Brothers, known as ‘the jewelers’ jeweler,’ has maintained a national reputation for outstanding ornaments set with superior gemstones,” said Markowitz.
“Until recently, the Oscar Heyman name was unknown outside the jewelry world, as the company preferred anonymity and discretion, but today the brand is synonymous with dazzling, high-style jewels. I’m pleased to highlight its prosperous history with the release of this new publication.”
“Oscar Heyman: The Jewelers’ Jeweler” is the latest in a number of jewelry books produced by MFA Publications in recent years, joining titles such as “Jewels of Ancient Nubia,” “Artful Adornments: Jewelry from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston,” “The Jewels of Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin,” “Jewelry by Artists: In the Studio 1940-2000” and “Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry.”
It will be available in the MFA shop, retail bookstores and online.
It will be available in the MFA shop, retail bookstores and online.
More on Trends
The Latest
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
