American jewelry designer William Ruser

American jewelry designer William Ruser
‘Friday’s Child’ brooch from ‘Children of the Week’ collection. 14 K gold, sapphire, freshwater pearls. 1950s. American jewelry designer William Ruser

American jewelry designer William Ruser (1908-1994)
The name of William Ruser is little known today, but from 1949 to 1969 he was one of California’s most sought-after jewelers. His clients included Hollywood stars such as Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Loretta Young and Lana Turner.
Born in Philadelphia in 1908, Ruser began his career in 1925 in Atlantic City at Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin jewelry company. Then, he moved to Beverly Hills, where he ran a subsidiary of that firm at 300 Rodeo Drive. However, in the 1940s, due to the WWII, he had to leave the business to join the Army. Already in 1949, Ruser, along with his wife Pauline, opened his own business – Ruser Jewels – on Rodeo Drive.
Remarkably, Ruser was able to bring back the popularity of freshwater pearls, which he often used in his designs. It all started with a shoebox containing pearls he bought in the 1930s from a button salesman in Mississippi. The designer made his figural jewelry with the use of baroque pearls, gold, diamonds and precious stones. The maker’s mark traditionally includes stylized word “Ruser”, “copyright” and “14K” or “18K” (for purity of gold).
Ruser retired in 1969 and sold his business to Van Cleef & Arpels. He died in 1994.

Barbara Stanwyck in 'Sorry, Wrong Number' (1948)
Barbara Stanwyck in ‘Sorry, Wrong Number’ (1948)

During the 20-year period of the existence of Ruser Jewels, his jewelry appeared in many films. Among them, in particular, “Sorry, Wrong Number” (1948), the very first film in which actress Barbara Stanwyck demonstrates William Ruser jewelry. The beautiful Joan Crawford wore the jewels of the famous master in Sudden Fear (1952), Shirley MacLaine and Caroline Jones in Career (1955).

Maker's mark 3
Maker’s mark

American jewelry designer William Ruser

‘Angel Child’ earrings. 14 K gold, pearls. 1960s
‘Angel Child’ earrings. 14 K gold, pearls. 1960s
‘Thursday's Child’ brooch from ‘Children of the Week’ collection. 14 K gold, sapphire, freshwater pearls. 1950s
‘Thursday’s Child’ brooch from ‘Children of the Week’ collection. 14 K gold, sapphire, freshwater pearls. 1950s
1950s bracelet. 18 K gold, diamonds
1950s bracelet. 18 K gold, diamonds
A child catching a butterfly brooch. 14 K gold, sapphire
A child catching a butterfly brooch. 14 K gold, sapphire
A girl with a bird gold and jade brooch. 1950s
A girl with a bird gold and jade brooch. 1950s
Bee brooch. 14 K gold, ruby eyes, pearl wings
Bee brooch. 14 K gold, ruby eyes, pearl wings
Bird gold tie tack
Bird gold tie tack
Cancer Zodiac sign pendant. 14 K rose gold
Cancer Zodiac sign pendant. 14 K rose gold
Cherub Angel brooch. 14 K gold, diamonds, freshwater pearls. 1960s
Cherub Angel brooch. 14 K gold, diamonds, freshwater pearls. 1960s
Emerald, diamond and gold ring. 1960s
Emerald, diamond and gold ring. 1960s
Geometric design 14 K gold and sapphire cufflinks with engraved motto ‘I Beam When I Think of You’ and ‘May Our Golden Days Endure Like Steel’
Geometric design 14 K gold and sapphire cufflinks with engraved motto ‘I Beam When I Think of You’ and ‘May Our Golden Days Endure Like Steel’
Hummingbird brooch. Platinum, diamonds, sapphire, freshwater pearls
Hummingbird brooch. Platinum, diamonds, sapphire, freshwater pearls
North East West South Weathervane horse 14 K gold brooch
North East West South Weathervane horse 14 K gold brooch
Poodle brooch. Gold, diamonds, onyx
Poodle brooch. Gold, diamonds, onyx
Sapphire, diamond and 18 K gold brooch
Sapphire, diamond and 18 K gold brooch
Squirrel brooch pin. 14 K gold, pearl, diamonds
Squirrel brooch pin. 14 K gold, pearl, diamonds
Sunflower brooch and earrings. 18 K gold, diamonds
Sunflower brooch and earrings. 18 K gold, diamonds
Tree of Life circle pendant. 14 K gold, freshwater pearls
Tree of Life circle pendant. 14 K gold, freshwater pearls
Vintage Hummingbird brooch. 14 K gold, sapphire, freshwater pearls
Vintage Hummingbird brooch. 14 K gold, sapphire, freshwater pearls
Curled leaf yellow gold clip earrings
Curled leaf yellow gold clip earrings
Maker's mark
Maker’s mark
Trademark
Trademark

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