Since bursting on to the jewellery scene, young jewellery brand Davidor has rewritten the rules for contemporary, luxury jewels. The brand’s founder, David Gusky, is well-placed to create pieces that shake up the industry, having attended the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York before travelling extensively in order to define his brand’s identity.
“I had a clear vision of how I wanted the brand to look and feel – the DNA, the inspiration for the collections and the designs for each piece,” Gusky explains. “Davidor is a truly authentic interpretation of my passions in life: architecture and design, flora and fauna, and travel and craftsmanship.” The jewellery business came to him early, after he grew up watching his family build a successful fine jewellery manufacturing and distribution business in the US. After his studies and travels – where he defined the architectural inspiration for the brand, the arch – he worked at the bench with master jewellers, learning the process of artisanal craftsmanship. All these strands came together to form a coherent brand identity, reflected in the effortless style of the pieces themselves.
The arch is reflected in Davidor’s jewellery, using the finest gemstones for a stunning result
“Jewellery is meant to be worn, not just admired,” Gusky says on his jewellery philosophy. “Pieces are inspired by the arch because it is a shape that everyone can recognise. It is seen around the world and has been used since the beginning of time. I fell in love with Andrea Palladio’s renowned arch that he used in his 16th century Villas of Veneto, and specifically those seen in Vicenza, Italy. From a young age, frequently visiting Vicenza, I fell in love with the beauty of the shape of the pure arch, the support it provided to these great villas and the incredible role that they play in the passing of time. Each arch tells its own story. The arches of Place Vendôme, the arches of the arcades of Rue Rivoli and the arches of villas in Portofino and Capri… each has its own soul.”
L’Arc de DAVIDOR Pendant Earring GM in 18k Yellow Gold with Lacquer and Palais Diamonds ($12,800)
It was the stunning architecture that drew him to his current base in Paris. “I’ve always loved the city,” he says. “Not only the architecture, but also the ancient statues and the opulence. Being in Paris always made me dream, because Paris is home to the great high jewellery maisons I knew and that I wanted to achieve for Davidor, so I needed to be in that city. In Paris, jewellery is still an art and the craftsmen are respected like artists. That, in itself, was really important to me.” Indeed, the craftsmanship that goes into the pieces is central to the brand’s ethos.
“The finest jewellers in our historical Parisian atelier craft each piece of our jewellery by hand. They use the most advanced technologies, and it means we can proudly certify all of our creations with a Joaillerie de France stamp, guaranteeing that it is 100% ‘Made in France’. We have designed, developed and patented the Davidor Arch Cut Diamond and Davidor Arch Cut Gemstone in our diamond and gem cutting atelier in Paris. Every creation is born from a sketch, hand painted as a traditional gouache, carved in wax, and ultimately brought to life in 18k gold and platinum. The finest diamonds and gemstones are set by hand on each piece using meticulous scrutiny and quality control to ensure a beautiful result. The ancient savoir faire of lacquer is applied by hand to each piece and polished to perfection. We really take great pride in supporting and perpetuating the art of skilled jewellers that is so deeply rooted in Paris.”
It is a formula that is working: “The most significant highlight so far is the recognition we have received as a brand for our design and craftsmanship,” Gusky says. And the challenges? “Keeping up with the necessary growth of the brand.” With so much success so early, it will be intriguing to see what’s next for Davidor. “My plans are to continue to design and grow our product offering and enter new categories that inspire me,” Gusky reveals. We shall be watching with interest…
More at: davidor.com
