In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, nestled between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue, there is a block of towering Art Deco buildings. Lining either side of 47th Street, these imposing buildings house over 4000 wholesale and retail diamond sellers, cramming one of the world’s biggest—and one of the oldest—hubs of the diamond industry into a single block. Since the 1920s, this area of Manhattan has been known as New York City’s Diamond District. Here, between the borders marked out by flashing diamond-shaped streetlights, it is believed that up to 90% of all diamonds that enter the United States begin their journey. It was here, in 1950, that Rudolf Friedmann began his journey too.
In the early 1950s, life in the United States had finally begun to feel stable again. Rations ended in the late ‘40s, and platinum, which had been banned for jewelry-making during the war, was finally available for use again. The debut of Christian Dior’s New Look collection in 1947 firmly established the new attitude of this postwar era, as the collection departed from the muted, fitted suits of the ‘40s, and instead, prioritized opulence, ultra-femininity, and modernity with round shoulders cinched waists, and swathes of fabric used for wide, bold skirts. This celebration of opulence also meant that diamonds, which had been seen as rather taboo during the war, made a huge comeback. Amidst all this change, Rudolf Friedmann began his namesake brand, and right on time, too. Educated in the art of fine jewelry-making by his father in Europe, Rudolf Friedmann brought his continental expertise to New York’s Diamond District in 1950. Then, as the fine jewelry industry was recovering, handcrafting each piece was the norm. Mass-production, big brands, and labels, the brand writes on their website, was something for “toothpaste, not jewelry”. Amazingly, this intimate, handcrafted process remains key to the production of Rudolf Friedmann jewelry today. Just as his father taught him the ins and outs of fine jewelry production, Rudolf Friedmann taught his children and grandchildren the trade. As the diamond industry lost its heart, and as jewelry overwhelmingly lost its reputation as a family affair, Rudolf Friedmann as a brand refused to budge, and that dedication to family, artisanship, and beautiful, handcrafted design is what makes the jeweler so extraordinary. These values inform Rudolf Friedmann’s designs, too. While some changes can’t be avoided—websites had to be built and a social media presence had to be established, for instance—the brand’s dedication to preserving their legacy and acknowledging their roots means that every single design produced is utterly timeless and classically feminine. Set in 18k gold or platinum, jewelry by Rudolf Friedmann is both a preservation of its past and a promise to its future; it is jewelry designed to be eternal.
Express effortless elegance with exquisite Rudolf Friedmann jewelry
18k Yellow Gold Necklaces
A highlight of Rudolf Friedmann’s Gold collection, the Rudolf Friedmann Gold Diamond Pendant is set in lustrous 18k yellow gold and glitters softly with 31 accent diamonds totaling .15 cts. The diamond necklace’s simple but elegant design, which features open geometric elements, polished 18k yellow gold, and just a touch of sparkle, is a reflection of Rudolf Friedmann’s brand mission of creating timeless jewelry. Far from being beholden to trends that come and go, Rudolf Friedmann, inspired by a history that values stability, family, and classic fine jewelry design, strives to create jewelry that can last a lifetime. Not only can this beautifully handcrafted pendant act as a signature piece of jewelry for years, but, thanks to its classic, understated design, it can be worn any time and any place. You can wear this versatile 18k yellow gold pendant to the office, to concerts, to formal events, or to dinner with Mom and Dad—and we can guarantee you will dazzle. 18k magic is in the air!
18k Yellow Gold Bracelets
Elevate your bracelet stack with the Rudolf Friedmann Gold Cuff. In addition to the comfort afforded by its flexible design, this 18k yellow gold cuff also showcases sleek sophistication, highlighting Rudolf Friedmann’s mastery of clean geometric designs. A band of elegantly elongated ovals in polished 18k yellow gold forms the body of this flexible bracelet, which can be adjusted to fit all shapes and sizes of wrists. Although this cuff features a visually pleasing geometric design that can disrupt the monotony of a stack of similarly slender bangles, it isn’t too chunky, which means it maintains a breezy, effortless feel. This makes this Rudolf Friedmann cuff an ideal bracelet, as it has more than enough personality to stand on its own, but lacks any overwhelmingly detailed features that would make it unsuitable for a bracelet stack.
For the bracelet babe that prefers a little more sparkle in jewelry, the Rudolf Friedmann Gold Diamond Bracelet is the perfect fit for you to perfect your fit. A staple of the Everyday Diamonds collection, this 18k yellow gold link bracelet features a thin elliptical charm studded with 102 miniature diamonds that add up to .48 cts. As the name of the collection suggests, this diamond bracelet is designed for daily wear, allowing you to introduce some diamonds into the daytime. With its timeless link design and subtle sparkle, this Rudolf Friedmann bracelet perfectly straddles the line between “simplicity” and “opulence”—a quality that is a beautifully symmetrical reflection of the postwar era of change that shaped the brand’s early years. Consider this gold and diamond bracelet a present-day incarnation of the modernity and femininity that defined Christian Dior’s New Look, and consider yourself the model. Ready to work the runway?
18k Yellow Gold Earrings