On the evening of December 23, 1937, the Heyman brothers George, Nathan, Louis, Harry, Oscar and William celebrated the 25th anniversary of their famous company. In recognition, the company’s employees presented the brothers with a symbolic clock, 23% of an inch high and weighing more than 50 pounds.

Made from a pound of pure gold and sterling silver, the clock was a true work of art.

It took the company’s craftsmen 14 months of work, which they did on weekends in their free time, unknown to the business leaders. After seeing it, the brothers were speechless for several minutes. In fact, the clock reflected the entire history of the company.

The front of the silver globe was engraved with a map of the Earth. Gold hands and letters on the clock spelled out “O. Heyman & Bros.” A dial on the top of the globe showed the time around the world. Six hand-carved silver columns supported the globe, symbolizing the six Heyman brothers.

A miniature jeweler’s workbench in the middle of the columns featured finely detailed sterling silver tools, pliers, files, chisels, and a blowtorch.

Two large hammered bronze figures representing Mercury and Industry sat on the steps of the base. The five steps represented the number of expansions the firm had undergone since its inception in a small room at 49 Maiden Lane in 1912. One of the three plaques on the bottom step was engraved with the Hayman family names and a presentation message.

The two side plaques listed the 88 employees who had contributed to the gift. Noteworthy, half of the employees listed had been with the company for more than 20 years, and the rest for more than 10 years.

Oscar Heyman & Brothers history

The history of the legendary jewelry company Oscar Heyman & Brothers began in 1912 in New York. Its founders were brothers Oscar (1888 – 1970) and Nathan Heyman (1885 – 1945). The brothers came from a large Jewish family living in Latvia, which was part of the Russian Empire.

In 1901, thirteen-year-old Oscar and his sixteen-year-old brother Nathan left their parents’ home to work at their uncle’s jewelry factory in Kharkov. Remarkably, their uncle created jewelry for the Imperial Jewelry House of Faberge. It was there that the brothers acquired jewelry skills.

Nathan and Oscar emigrated to the United States in 1906. After settling in New York, Oscar found work in a jewelry workshop, and later began working for the famous jewelry firm Cartier. Nathan worked for some time in an electrical company.

Establishment of Oscar Heyman & Bros

Having earned the necessary capital, the brothers Nathan, Oscar, and Harry founded their company Oscar Heyman & Bros Inc, 49 Maiden Lane, New York. Later, their sister Lena and their three brothers George, Louis, and William joined the firm. Very soon, the hard work and skill of the young jewelers bore fruit.

Their jewelry, skillfully crafted from platinum, gold, and precious stones, gained recognition and made the brand prestigious. The brothers’ firm carried out orders for famous jewelry houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, J.E. Caldwell, and Shreve, Crump & Low.

In the 1920s, Oscar Heyman & Brothers moved to 71 Nassau Street. Oscar Heyman’s Art Deco jewelry appeared on the cover of the respected Jewelers’ Circular magazine in 1927. Incidentally, their next cover featuring jewelry from this brand appeared in 1938.

New quarters at 642 Fifth Ave

In 1936 Oscar Heyman & Bros Inc, manufacturers of hand-made platinum and precious stone jewelry, moved to attractive new quarters at 642 Fifth Ave, southwest corner at 52nd Street, New York. They occupied the entire seventh floor and had one of the most up-to-date factories and offices in the jewelry industry.

Success of Oscar Heyman Brothers Jewelry

The firm steadily grew doing a national business, importing all stones used in their creations direct from the mines. At the 1939 New York World’s Fair, Oscar Heyman’s collection of floral jewelry made from precious metals and stones won gold medals.

In 1952 Oscar Heyman & Brothers acquired control of the Bolean Co., New York jewelry manufacturers at 62 West 47th St. The Bolean firm has been in the jewelry manufacturing business for over 20 years.

George Heyman the new president of the company

Each era in the company’s history has been marked by outstanding pieces created at the time. According to Oscar Heyman himself, “jewelry should transcend time, like a beautiful painting, without ever losing its appeal.” Oscar Heyman died in 1970, and George Heyman became the president of the company.

For more than 110 years, Oscar Heyman has been surprising critics and true connoisseurs of jewelry art with its extraordinary jewelry. For its 100th anniversary in 2012, Oscar Heyman & Brothers changed its name to simply Oscar Heyman. Today, third- and fourth-generation jewelers continue the work of the founders.

Oscar Heyman & Brothers Jewelry