The story of the life and stellar jewelry career of William Ruser is brought to life in a newly published book, William Ruser: The Jeweler Who Charmed Hollywood, written by GIA Research Librarian Judy Colbert and Co-Author Peggy Tsiamis. Ruser is remembered for his whimsical figural jewelry with freshwater pearls. Many of his finer pieces come up for sale regularly and command high prices.
“Ruser had a very specific look in his unique and special designs. Like all great designers, there are certain elements within his pieces that make his work recognizable,” said the late Michael Kazanjian, estate jeweler and former member of GIA’s Board of Governors.
Ruser came from humble beginnings to become the go-to jeweler for the leading movie stars and socialites of the 1940s through the 1960s. His celebrity clientele included Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner and Joan Crawford, among many others. Ruser learned a great deal about providing exceptional customer service experience through his employment with the prestigious jewelry firm of Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin.
Ruser Jewels’ prime location on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills had a large workshop with as many as 28 jewelry artisans and luxuriously appointed showrooms. Although there were many sales clerks on staff, Ruser was his best salesman and his customers would ask to be waited on by Ruser himself. When the business closed in 1969, the location was acquired by the French luxury jewelry firm Van Cleef & Arpels.
The 125-page paperback book includes more than 100 images. A section of the book also tells the story of the husband-and-wife team, Cyril and Vera Wood (Cyvra), designers of the figural jewelry that made Ruser famous.