The high-society jewels of Raymond Yard
Jewellery specialist Jacqueline DiSante delves into the history of the elite New York jeweller, iconic jewels made for famous clients, and the pieces pursued by serious collectors

An Art Deco ruby and diamond double clip-brooch by Raymond Yard. Sold for $106,250 on 16 April 2019 at Christie’s in New York
Raymond Yard’s origins
Born the son of a railroad conductor in New Jersey in 1885, the famed jeweller Raymond Yard began his career aged 13 when William Marcus Elder, the owner of the exclusive jeweller’s Marcus & Co., offered him the job of errand boy at his Manhattan boutique. Over the course of 20 years’ service Yard rose to become the firm’s most sought-after salesman, renowned for his honesty and knowledge.
Eventually John D. Rockefeller Jr. — one of the world’s wealthiest men at the time — advised Yard to go it alone, and in 1922 he opened his first store on Fifth Avenue. He served more than 1,000 customers in his first year, and four years later moved to larger premises on the same street.
In 1940 David Rockefeller purchased this ring set with a cut-cornered rectangular step-cut diamond, weighing approximately 5.63 carats, with epaulet and triangular-cut diamond shoulders, from Raymond Yard. He presented the ring to Peggy McGrath upon their engagement. In 1959 the ring was returned to Raymond Yard, who altered the design, integrating additional diamonds on either side of the centre diamond. Sold for $287,500 on 12 June 2018 at Christie’s in New York
‘Through Rockefeller’s connections, Yard was introduced to some of the wealthiest people in America. The Vanderbilts, the DuPonts and the Woolworths all admired his jewels,’ explains Christie’s Jewellery specialist Jacqueline DiSante.
A retro sapphire, ruby and diamond brooch by Raymond Yard. Sold for $25,000 on 16 April 2019 at Christie’s in New York
Over the decades Yard’s reputation continued to rise as he secured commissions from Hollywood stars such as Joan Crawford and Douglas Fairbanks. He retired in 1958, passing control of the company to Glen McQuaker, Donald Bartow and Robert Gibson.
In 1989 Gibson passed the firm on to his son, who still runs the business from Connecticut today. Raymond Yard passed away at his home in Larchmont, New York in 1964.
What is Raymond Yard best known for?
Yard gained a reputation for using the most exquisite metals and superlative stones. ‘In fact,’ says DiSante, ‘his clients trusted his perfectionism so much that they were willing to wait for him to find the perfect gems to complete their jewels.’
Raymond Yard, Art Deco rock crystal, emerald, sapphire and diamond double clip brooch, 1930s. Rock crystal, calibré-cut emeralds and sapphires, old-cut diamonds, detachable to wear as two clip brooches, 9.0 cm. Sold for CHF 30,000 on 12 November 2019 at Christie’s in Geneva
Yard’s earliest work took Art Deco designs to new heights. ‘By carefully selecting geometric-cut coloured stones in combination with step and brilliant-cut diamonds, he could create bold and unique arrangements that spoke to the tastemakers of the 1920s and ’30s,’ DiSante continues. Yard was also known for breathing life into old gems by repurposing them from old settings into new ones.
An Art Deco ruby and diamond bracelet by Raymond Yard. Sold for $75,000 on 16 April 2019 at Christie’s in New York
During the war resources were limited, and Yard adapted his designs to incorporate gold and white gold, as opposed to platinum. Yard also started working with semi-precious stones and new colour combinations.
A gold and diamond necklace by Raymond Yard. Sold for $13,750 on 16 April 2019 at Christie’s in New York
Today, under Bob Gibson’s leadership, the company has preserved the classic Yard look by reviving and reinterpreting designs from its extensive archives.
The market for Raymond Yard jewellery
‘Top-quality pieces by Yard are scarce on the secondary market,’ explains DiSante. This is chiefly because Yard worked so closely on perfecting every piece of jewellery that left his atelier. His archival log books show that he meticulously documented every stone’s type, weight and origin.
‘As a result, Yard ensured each piece his workshop completed met his high standards for quality and refined craftsmanship,’ says the specialist. ‘This, coupled with the fact that many of his jewels have American high-society provenance, makes them very desirable.’
The Rockefeller Emerald, a rare and historic emerald and diamond ring, by Raymond Yard. Sold for $5,511,500 on 20 June 2017 at Christie’s in New York
In 2017 Christie’s sold a Raymond Yard ring commissioned in 1948 by David Rockefeller, John D. Rockefeller’s son. At its centre is a stunning 18.04 carat Colombian emerald taken from a brooch that belonged to David’s mother, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller.
The ring realised $5,511,500, which remains the highest price paid for a piece of Raymond Yard jewellery at Christie’s. At $305,000 per carat, it also set a world auction record price per carat for an emerald. ‘This ring is the epitome of chic and demonstrates both the Rockefellers’ and Yard’s keen eye for quality,’ adds DiSante.
An Art Deco diamond bracelet by Raymond Yard. Sold for $30,000 on 16 April 2019 at Christie’s in New York
In 2018 a ruby and diamond Art Deco bracelet by Raymond Yard, which was also owned by the Rockefeller family, fetched $348,500 at Christie’s — almost nine times its low estimate.
A ruby and diamond bracelet, by Raymond Yard. Sold for $348,500 on 12 June 2018 at Christie’s in New York
What collectors look for
‘The most sought-after pieces remain those that are classically ‘Yard’, and have a quiet elegance to them,’ says DiSante.
An Art Deco seed pearl and diamond sautoir, by Raymond Yard. Sold for $87,500 on 10 December 2013 at Christie’s in New York
‘His Art Deco pieces are also highly collectable, as well as his memorable designs of animals, including fish and birds, and his ever-popular rabbit character, which often wears a bow tie and carries cocktails or golf clubs.’
A diamond and multi-gem Rabbit brooch, by Raymond Yard. Sold for $37,500 on 22 October 2014 at Christie’s in New York
Christie’s has sold several of the celebrated rabbits over the years, each fetching several tens of thousands of dollars.