An Iconic American Jeweler Has a Renewed Presence in Houston

One of the mightiest names in the jewelry world will now have an important presence in Houston, at Tenenbaum Jewelers. Considered America’s quintessential jeweler, David Webb was a favorite of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Barbra Streisand, Ava Gardner, Doris Duke and Elizabeth Taylor. The Duchess of Windsor was often photographed in her Webb bracelets, as was Diana Vreeland wearing her black and white enamel zebra bangles. Tastemakers such as Aerin Lauder and Tory Burch are Webb fans, as well.

Tenenbaum owners Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black are the official Houston retailer for David Webb collections, including the iconic and brilliant Tool Chest Collection designed by Webb himself in 1971 — the Nail Ring, Knotted Nail Cuff Links and Hammered Nail Link Bracelet are standouts. From the Woodworks collection — the Shoelace Cuff, Buckle Ring and Cross Stitch Earrings are terribly chic, and the Motif Collection’s geometric black and white enamel and diamond collection is as fresh today as it was in the mid-70s when Webb designed it. One-of-a-kind pieces from the couture collection will be available, as well as some of the most celebrated Webb estate jewelry.

The new partnership was officially announced last night at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Art of the Islamic Worlds Gala, with a display of more than $4 million dollars of David Webb couture creations.

There are only two David Webb stores, one in Beverly Hills and the other on Madison in New York City, where an archival gallery and workrooms reside above the boutique. In the mid 1970s, David Webb had a Houston boutique at the Pavilion on Post Oak, which cut a wide social swath through Houston until it closed in 2001, and has been much missed. 

A trunk showing of David Webb collections is Tuesday, December 5 through Sunday, December 10, at Tenenbaum Jewelers, 4310 Westheimer.