Review: The David Yurman Anvil Collection for Men

Image Credit: David Yurman

I don't want to write this review. I didn't think I would have to, truth be told. I thought Anvil would enjoy fairly quiet release as did the Amulets Collection earlier this year, would flounder in sales, and be routed to the outlets, and that would be that. Instead, earlier this week, David Yurman launched considerable advertising devoted to the collection. Ay. So here we are.

Anvil is for 2017 what Griffin was for 2013. (You remember Griffin, right? I bemoaned it extensively right here on this blog, and then it went away, and life was good.) It is hyper-masculine. It is cool and "edgy." It lacks refinement.

DY Ay!

Friday's here and with it comes a(nother) typo on DavidYurman.com to add some levity, you know, just for good measure. Yes, our culture has already assimilated a "McSteamy" and Boeing's Dreamliner and so why not Streamiline? Take a look:

It's unclear at this point what the neologism "Streamiline" means. A line made or consisting of streams? Possibly. A cable design capable of supporting streaming video content? It's possible. A case of hurried typing being prematurely published? Likely. All the same, don't you think a call to David Yurman for clarification is in order? Yes, I think I'll reach out. "Hello, ma'am or sir. Connect me to the manager of your Streamiline Collection, please. ...Yes, that's right: I said 'Stream-ee-line.' Yes, I'll hold."

:) DYguy out.

Exclusive: David Yurman's Limited-Edition Honeycomb Meteorite Men's Rings Rocket into Boutiques

I am not a hand model. I do not profess to being a hand model.

It brings me great pleasure to report that David Yurman's Meteorite Titanium Honeycomb Mini-Collection, first previewed back in November 2014, has finally fully launched; the rings bearing this signature motif are available as limited-edition boutique exclusives. Here's what you need to know:

- There are two styles of Meteorite Titanium Honeycomb ring now available--one is the signet piece posted here, the other is of a band shape.

- The rings are of extreme limited edition with only 26 signet style produced and 36 band style. Each comes numbered and bearing a "limited edition" engraving.

- The rings are available in sizes 9, 10, 11, and 12 and retail in the $1,000-2,000 range.

- The pieces feature a sterling silver shank with meteorite overlay and black titanium shell.

- These limited-edition designs can only be purchased at David Yurman boutiques.

- A design executive has exclusively confirmed to DYMANia that these are the exact, "as-intended" designs originally previewed back in November 2014. Apparently a modified, easier-to-manufacture signet-style Meteorite Titanium Honeycomb ring was developed and quietly released over the winter but then shortly thereafter recalled due to "the compromised aesthetic."

- The tag pendant from the collection, which was originally released in fall of '14, has been pulled from DavidYurman.com and appears, for now, only available through boutique purchase or special order. It retails for $1200 (chain sold separately). It is unclear if additional product will be produced as part of a limited-edition set.

Southwest Dreaming: The David Yurman Frontier Collection for Men Is Here... and Coming (Updated)

Image Credit: whitewallmag.com

This is a developing story, and so, dear reader, I'll share what I know when I know it. (That means check back for updates.)

Back in January, Whitewall Magazine did a little piece on what is new and coming from David Yurman. (Yeah, I didn't catch it either.) Well, evidently, what was quietly teased then is now enjoying an equally quiet roll out--that is, for now, anyway. Here is what's up:



There is a new David Yurman Frontier Collection for men.
Details are scarce at this time, but inspiration sources appear to include cowboys and indigenous peoples, to say nothing of regional flora and fauna. Here's an anything-but-revelatory blurb on the collection, which surfaced on DavidYurman.com late this afternoon:

Briefs: Poll Results, Anticipated Arrivals, Visit to Townhouse

Why hello again, dear reader! Have you missed me? Actually, I haven't really been away. There's just been little on which to report, as is typically the case in this transitional time between winter and spring. That being said, I do have a few notes and notices to post, which are as follows:

The reader-selected winner of our "What's Your Favorite David Yurman Women's Collection?" is... Cable Classics.
What Yurman starting out designing remains, evidently, the fan favorite.

Moving right along, the reader-selected winner of the "What's Your Favorite David Yurman Men's Collection" is... Meteorite.
It's interesting; our female readers enjoy the timeless, while our male readership prefers the ancient. (The Gibeon Meteorite from which the pieces in the collection are made is an estimated four billion years old.) Hey, to each his own, right?

Next, I have to mention that there appears to be a snag in the production or distribution lines of new men's product at DY.

Oh, honeycomb, where art thou?

I mean, shoot, the honeycomb pieces (see left) of the Meteorite Collection and a wrap-around ring from Carbon Fiber were teased back in November. None has yet (as of time of writing) to make it to market. And so, I guess, the waiting (or wanting?) game continues. I'll continue to check up on the status of these. If I hear anything, I'll happily report out.







Finally, hey--you know what?--when there's no news to report, the enterprising blogger makes his own, and so with that, allow me to announce that
I'll be making a visit to the David Yurman Townhouse on Madison Avenue in New York City this month. 
Expect upon my return a full review with photos and recommendations to boot.

With that, dear reader, I'm out for now. I shan't be away long, though. (And that's a promise.)

David Yurman 'Buzzes' Carbon Fiber on Facebook

David Yurman published this promotional image (see below) to its Facebook page this afternoon, which features pieces from the company's new Carbon Fiber Collection for men:

The DY Carbon Fiber Collection:
Available Now Coming Soon Coming Eventually

(Image Credit: Facebook.com)

A shortened URL accompanying the image, leading this DY fanatic to assume (giddily) the product was now "live" on DavidYurman.com, but alas, clicking through takes one to a "New Designs, New Materials" page on the site on which the items are (drat!) missing.

Oh, DY's social media team, how you do toy with my emotions. I wanted (expected?) item descriptions, price points, and hi-res studio shots. Instead, I was left with the ability to purchase Griffin (and you know already my thoughts on that collection.) Harumph. I'm going to go stew for a while. You know where to find me. (On the couch in the other room, compulsively reloading DavidYurman.com.)

DYguy out.

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Five: The Pinky Ring

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His fifth and final pick, which is his "best overall" for the season in general, is the pinky ring, a look that DYguy maintains "brilliantly offsets yet reinforces one's masculinity."

From DYguy:  The pinky ring is here to stay, and I love what it says about its wearer, which is, essentially, this: "The man's a bad ass." After all, who else is confirmed enough in his identity and masculinity to adorn his daintiest of fingers? My advice to all gentlemen out there is to "man up" this season and rock this devil-may-care look, which I consider to be one of the subversive and edgy in jewelry today.

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Four: Meteorite

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His fourth pick, which is for the new year of 2014, is meteorite, a stone which recently secured its very own collection at David Yurman.

From DYguy:  Put simply, meteorite ravishes the eye. Its crystal structure lures, intrigues, and stimulates. No other exotic stone in my collection has garnered more compliments from friends, acquaintances, and colleagues alike. There is no better way to start a new year than by putting your best foot forward, and that "foot" in men's jewelry is undeniably meteorite.

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Three: Cognac Diamond

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His third pick, which is for the winter holidays, is cognac diamond, DYguy's longtime preference over white diamond (and even more so over black).

From DYguy:  White diamonds, while undeniably stunning in their light refraction, can give off what sometimes seems a cold light. Not so with cognac diamonds from David Yurman. These gems, whose hue conjures sunsets and lazy summer afternoons, provide one with a visual escape from the greys, whites, and blacks of the winter months (not to mention their inherent color warmth complements just about any holiday party ensemble).

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick Two: Ironwood

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His second pick, which is for the months of November and December, is Ironwood, a collection to which DYguy warmed slowly.

From DYguy:  Ironwood didn't have me at hello... or at second hello... or third. The collection has won me over, however, and I'm now one of its most ardent defenders. The pieces are superbly styled, lightweight, and to my deep satisfaction, patina beautifully. I've made Ironwood my November-December pick because what better time of the year is there to wear jewelry exuding a wood grain motif than when, with the coming of winter, the inherent woodiness of trees is made bare? 

Fall for DY: DYguy's Seasonal Picks for Men -- Pick One: Dino Bone

In the "Fall for DY" five-part feature, DYguy runs through the gentleman's must-haves for fall/winter '13-14. His first pick, which is for the months of October and November, is dino bone, a surprising selection given DY no longer designs with the stone.

From DYguy:  Dino bone, though discontinued, is not just a stone for fall, it is the stone for fall. Its magnificent burnt orange color conjures turning foliage, and nearly all the pieces into which it is set are statement pieces, which I love to don in fall, a time of the year when even nature exhibits a flair for the dramatic. Oh, and just because a DY design is discontinued does not mean one cannot get the look. The DY outlet in Sunrise, FL (954.838.9979) still offers much dino bone (and at reduced prices!).

A Tease of New-for-Fall-'13 Pave Phantom for Men

Helping us out, @gregmaczko posted this (see below) to Instagram this evening, giving a glimpse at David Yurman's latest men's collection, which is kind of new, kind of resurrected and features color-change garnet set in black titanium.

Image Credit: @gregmaczko (Instagram)

Are these designs available now online? ...Are you kidding me? Much to my our mutual frustration, not a single piece from the F/W '13-14 men's line has debuted on DavidYurman.com. As evidenced by this 'gram, however, the pieces are available in the Nashville boutique, whose telephone number is 615.298.1190. (Yes, I had that on file.) Give 'em a ring, and surely they'll be happy to Fed-Ex one of these beauties to you.

That's all for now, dear reader. DYguy out.

Five Questions about the Lance Bass Ring-with-a-Ding Hubbub

So in case you haven't been keeping up with your Lance Bass news (I only sort of fault you for this), the former popstar is now engaged to his boyfriend of almost two years, Michael Turchin. Evidently Turchin said yes on Sunday, September 1, as that is the date on which Bass posted this Instagram:

Image Credit: @LanceBass (Instagram)

Two days later, @DavidYurman posted this (see below) on Twitter:

You see, a source told People Magazine Bass "went to three stores and couldn't find anything [ring-wise]" until, at Saks Fifth Avenue, "[h]e saw a David Yurman ring, and he knew that was the one...." Well, of course, @DavidYurman had to reach out publicly once this (soft) news broke.

Only the story doesn't end there. Yesterday afternoon, Bass responded to @DavidYurman's tweet with the following:

At Last, a David Yurman F/W '13-14 Men's Collection Preview (Now with Tag Necklaces!)

Late last night Instagram user @burniebear shared these (see below) images, which were captured, it seems, at a DY fall preview event at/for Nordstrom Perimeter in Atlanta, Georgia. Revealed are three bracelets and several rings, mostly band-style, from David Yurman's F/W '13-14 Men's Collection. Revel in the artistry. (My impressions are posted as image captions.)

Of the three designs showcased here,
my initial preference is for the middle one,
though I suppose I should see all in their full glory
before making any verdicts.

Hi-Res Photos of New Additions to David Yurman Meteorite Collection Emerge

In a Robb Report sidebar titled "Heaven Sent," the following two high-resolution images of soon-to-be-released pieces from David Yurman's Meteorite Collection were featured. (Do note that the latter was previously teased by Instagram user @gregmaczko.)

Image Credit: RobbReport.com

DY Ay!

Whatever you do,
DO NOT purchase this piece...
at least, not at this MSRP.

While checking the David Yurman e-commerce site this morning in search of new product roll outs (I told you: when they emerge, you'll be the first to know), I noticed this exorbitantly-priced "new arrival"--a sculpted but unadorned sterling silver men's ring from the Armory Collection. The price is, as you can see, an anything-but-reasonable $2800. Now, understanding that some diamond-encrusted DY goes for less than that, I think it is safe to say this is an "oops!" on site management's part... that or this is some very special Ag. (See what I did there? "Ag" is the chemical symbol for silver. Yes, that high-school science comes right back to one, doesn't it?)

Anyway, I'll creep on this product for the next couple days. If there is a drop in the list price, I'll let you know.

UPDATE: While there have been no changes to this product listing on DavidYurman.com, I have received in-boutique confirmation that the lofty price point is intended for a version of this ring that is loaded with black diamonds. The piece pictured here should retail for no more than $300-400.

And So the Waiting Game Begins...

Fall 2013. It's coming. It's imminent, even. Last year, on August 2, 2012, David Yurman teased its fall campaign. On August 8th, then, the company began releasing images from said campaign. What I'm saying, folks, is that big things are coming, which is why there has been so little to report over the past month and a half or so. The only "news" (if you can call it that) from that period was this: a survey conducted by The Luxury Institute revealed the top three jewelry brands preferred by ultrawealthy women--those with a minimum net worth of $5 million--are, in descending order, most beloved first, Tiffany & Co. (blech), David Yurman (woo!), and Cartier.

And that was it. Then, last week, our friend @gregmaczko posted this to Instagram:

Pictured are soon-to-be-released additions to the men's meteorite line. Greg is especially fond of the rose gold signet ring featured in the bottom frame (and so am I!).

Around the time of Greg's posting, this (see below) hit Twitter:

And so we do just that--we stay tuned. Our feelers are out there. We're standing at attention. The second there is news to report or an update to share, you know, dear reader, I'll be on it for you. Until then, be, live, and work "in perfect harmony." (Yes, that's a reference to DY S/S '13 sub-campaign copy.)

David Yurman Releases New S/S '13 Men's Catalog

You have the right (and privilege) to be awed by DY's latest men's collection catalog, which is presently on its way to stores, boutiques, and customers' homes nationwide and also available for online viewing. In this booklet the viewer is treated to another a showcase of dazzling product, more poignant in-line-with-the-DY-lifestyle quotations, and another series of shots featuring Ben Hill, the face of David Yurman Men for two campaigns now. (He was preceded by Jon Kortajarena). See below for screen captures of the digital catalog and profiles of fresh-from-the-studio DY men's product with, of course, my own original commentary (because, yes, I just can't help myself).

The shot on the left is, in my opinion, the most outstanding and memorable from the forty-page booklet. (I'm indifferent to the array of tags and necklaces on the adjacent page.)

Yes, of course the Griffin Collection is featured, and no, it has yet really to grow on me. I do, however, love the Armory cross ring displayed in the shot on the left. Retailing for $395, it is one of the most affordable pieces of Yurman out there.

I had to include this spread. These are the offerings from the catalog I love most of all. Just my luck, though: They are Signature Collection high-jewelry offerings, which means their high style is paired with an equally high price tag. Ah well. The signet piece on the left page with the lines of green color--the stone is opalized wood--will be mine in my dreams, if nowhere else.

Maritime rope design? Check.
1.29 carats of diamonds? Check.
The price? A fair $3900.

This new arrival to DY.com practically
demands to be rocked as a men's
pinky ring. It retails for $295.

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.

Exclusive: The Hidden Pieces on DavidYurman.com

Are you aware there is product on DavidYurman.com that can only be found by way of strategic search? That's right; there exist what are, essentially, hidden pieces on the site, pieces that fail to show when one performs an inventory browse or shops by category but remain there, present, behind a proverbial curtain all the while. Don't believe me? Dear reader, have not I earned your unblinking trust? But very well, if it is proof you desire, proof you shall have. Feast your eyes on these pulled-from-concealment men's collection beauties:

We'll start with this guy, a showstopper, truly, if ever there were one. The piece goes by the name of Pave Black Diamond Cushion Ring and retails for $5200. It's a dangerous one, I must say. Look but don't touch. You'll indubitably love it too much.

I love Yurman's (discontinued?) men's Petrvs line. I love the scarab motif. I love this ring. It costs $595. It's spectacular. You deserve it. Make it yours. Do it now.

Next we have a Tuxedo Agate Exotic Stone Ring for men. The design is clean and sleek, which allows the stone to carry (or fail to carry, depending on the cut received) the piece. The price? $550. Follow my link more information or to purchase.

I have truly saved the best for last. This (see left) is my favorite of the hidden gems. It's also one of my favorite recent-year DY men's ring designs. The stone? Meteorite. The shape of the face? Hexagonal. I saw this style at the Chicago boutique on Oak St. and fell in love fast and, evidently, hard, as I made the piece mine on impulse. I have never regretted for a moment the purchase. Now follow my link. On the other side awaits this magnificent ring, priced at $695. Don't think. Just buy.