Call for Stories, Information for Feature Pieces

Being only one individual and a layperson at that (I have no direct ties to David Yurman, the company and brand), I sometimes struggle in locating the information needed to write features for you, dear reader. Insert here my petition, my plea for support from fans and insiders alike. Help me help David Yurman by contributing tips, tidbits, and media to the blog.

How does one do this--reach out--you ask? Well, do you have Twitter? If so, tweet me at @DavidYurmania. If not, go (new) old school and E-mail me. My address is DavidYurmania@gmail.com.

Believe me when I say that there is no such thing as a "bad" contribution. Nothing is too small or too trivial. All offerings matter and are important. Heck, I've been working for three months now only on that which exists in the public domain. To get something, anything would be an improvement. So what are you waiting for? Get writing. Get sharing. What's new at David Yurman? What's next? What's caught your eye at the Townhouse or a boutique?

I'm waiting to hear from you.

David Yurman Targets New Market Segment with Griffin Collection

Pictured are designs from Yurman's new Griffin Collection for men.
Pieces range from $350 to $2600.

"Bold" is a word I'd use to describe David Yurman's fresh-from-the-studio Griffin Collection. "Curious" is another. As I've mentioned in an earlier post, these designs are anything but quintessential, classic Yurman. In fact, if it weren't for the shape of and antiquing on the tag necklace (see above), I'm not sure I'd even make the Yurman connection. I'd think Stephen Webster or Scott Kay. (I know. Scott Kay. Gross.) That's not to say I dislike what DY is doing here. It's just that these creations, I think, are not for me. While the motifs employed are designed, according to David Yurman copy, to "conjure... symbolic power," I don't think I'm--what's the right word?--burly enough for these to mesh with my look. The designs are sharp, hard, and, well, almost angry. They have an Armory Collection feel to them with the heavy antiquing and use of spikes on the amulets, but I can wear and pull off Armory, whereas I don't think I can Griffin.

I wish Yurman provided a
second, alternate product image
for this three-sided ring.
I'm interested to know what's out
of view on the left there.

And so for whom has this collection been prepared? For whatever reason, I see men with thick sausage
fingers working (and rocking) Griffin. I see the collection on gents who fancy the mythical (and mystical, for that matter). I see it on those whose chest hair is ample, those who wear only jackets of leather, those whose  musk is heavy and whose beards are dense. Will these men pay for Yurman? Will Yurman actively target them in advertising? Only time will tell, I suppose. I will say this, though: It is going to be an interesting fall/winter for the DY Men's Collection. At this point, what comes next is likely anybody's guess.

Brit in a Bit of David Yurman

Image courtesy of Britney Spears Hungary

Britney Spears co-hosted Wango Tango 2013, a day-long concert event, on Saturday, May 11 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The 31-year-old entertainer arrived on the scene in a Roberto Cavalli dress, Saint Laurent shoes, and, yes, a chiclet bracelet by David Yurman. (See left for a closeup of the DY.) The piece worn by Spears is, unfortunately, not available for purchase online at DavidYurman.com. One can, however, drop a cool $9000 on an elegant one-row variation on the Spears piece, which features cognac diamonds. (See below.)

I don't know how I feel about this B Spears look.  Excepting the DY wristwear, I have to say I find it, well, a bit unremarkable. What's your take? Sound off; post a comment or write me an E-mail.

David Yurman's Cognac Diamond
Chiclet Bracelet (Available Online), $8900

Exclusive: The Three Distinct Looks of David Yurman Color-Change Garnet

Pictured are the three looks one can expect from DY color-change garnet.

Touted by David Yurman as "one of the rarest gemstones on earth," color-change garnet is sometimes thought to exhibit only two unique looks. I'd argue, however, after wearing this Chevron ring for some weeks now, that the stone boasts three.

The first look is the one shown in the left-most image above, the color profile being that of a Caribbean blue-green. This hue is achieved when the mineral is exposed to indirect natural light (or the direct artificial light produced by bulbs bearing descriptors of "natural," "reveal," or "sunshine"). The second look, which is shown in the middle image, is achieved via bright, midday sunlight. There is no color profile, really, about which to speak, as, under this light, the stone takes on the appearance of a translucent, especially-brilliant black diamond. Color-change garnet's third look, then, is the one shown in the right-most image. (By the way, none of the component images in this triad has been digitally altered.) This warm violet color of look three is achieved in incandescent, household light.

While I can (and do) appreciate all three looks of color-change garnet, I must say my own personal preferred states are the first two. What about you? Tell me: which look do you like best? Sound off; get your comment posting or E-mail writing on!

What's Next for David Yurman Men: the Mythical

Instagrammer @gregmaczko posted this series of shots (see left) to the social media portal yesterday, showcasing what he claims are new and soon-to-be-available David Yurman Men's Collection amulets and tags. Given the geotag on the upload and the fact that four of the items pictured have already been previewed by DY, it is reasonably safe to assume that, indeed, these are all legitimate brand product.

I am not sure how I feel about the direction in which Yurman seems to be going here. DY designs tend to exhibit a timelessness, which these pieces do not, I feel, possess. What is more, there seems a shift in target market. I do not see the typical sophisticated urbanite--to whom I feel the brand regularly caters--being drawn to these enhancers. They exude a certain roughness, a coarseness that is not characteristic of David Yurman pieces.

But tell me: What are your thoughts on these offerings? Is there one you especially like or do not like? Sound off; post a comment or shoot me an E-mail.

UPDATE: Many of these enhancers went live on DavidYurman.com today. It appears all are authentic DY designs.

Chris Pine Flashes David Yurman Ironwood at Premiere in Germany

Evidently Mr. Pine is on Team DY; yesterday he donned an 18K gold Ironwood Collection pinky ring at the premiere of Star Trek Into Darkness in Berlin (see left). The piece appears the gold counterpart of the available-online sterling silver Ironwood Oval Ring, which retails for $425. While I've, in the past, never been particularly fond of the Ironwood Collection, I must say I'm beginning to change my position on the line. I think its distinctiveness is growing on me... that, and I value the opinion of blog reader Marmar, who contends the pieces patina nicely. That's important with silver jewelry; a wearer wants it to age well... or at least this wearer wants it to age well.

So there you have it--my take. Now what's yours? Tell me: What are your thoughts on the Ironwood Collection, pinky rings, or--heck, why not?--Chris Pine? Sound off. Post a comment or shoot me an E-mail.

Are you able to spy the DY?