GIA Has a New Book About William Ruser
“William Ruser: The Jeweler Who Charmed Hollywood” was written by Judy Colbert, a GIA research librarian and co-authored by Peggy Tsiamis, a visual resources librarian.
"Carlsbad, Calif.—GIA has published a new book, “William Ruser: The Jeweler Who Charmed Hollywood,” a story about William Ruser’s life and jewelry career.
Ruser, owner of Ruser Jewels in Beverly Hills, California, was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls.
“Ruser had a very specific look in his unique and special designs,” said the late Michael Kazanjian, an estate jeweler and former member of GIA’s board of directors.
“Like all great designers, there are certain elements within his pieces that make his work recognizable.”
Ruser became the go-to jeweler for movie stars and socialites from the 1940s to 1960s.
His celebrity clientele included Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner, and Joan Crawford.
Even today, his finer pieces regularly come up for sale and command high prices, said GIA.
In 2022, his fortune cookie brooch sold for $5,760, as part of Betty White’s jewelry auction.
Ruser learned about providing exceptional customer service when he was employed by the jewelry firm Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin, said GIA, before he opened his workshop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.
At Ruser Jewels, he had 28 jewelry artisans and luxuriously appointed showrooms, said GIA.
In 1969, his business closed, and the location was acquired by Van Cleef & Arpels.
“William Ruser: The Jeweler Who Charmed Hollywood” was written by GIA research librarian Judy Colbert and co-authored by visual resources librarian Peggy Tsiamis.
Ruser’s story was gathered through research and interviews with family and people who knew him professionally.
A section of the book is also dedicated to the story of Cyril and Vera Wood, the couple who designed Ruser’s figural jewelry.
The book is 125 pages and includes over 100 images.
It is available for purchase ... "
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