The legacy of the DeYoung Collection dates back to 1835 and is rooted in the fine diamond trade. The company’s original founder, Simon DeYoung, emigrated to the United States from Holland and embarked on a career as a diamond specialist. He went on to join Henry Morse, who founded the United States’ first diamond cutting facility. Simon’s son Jacob followed in his father’s footsteps, joining him in the Morse factory until it shuttered in the late 1880’s, at which point Jacob established himself as an independent diamond broker. When Jacob was joined by his son Sydney, in the 1920’s, the company’s expertise began to expand into natural pearls, colored gemstones and antique jewelry.
During the Great Depression, Sydney was able to hone his discriminating eye for distinctive and important jewelry and gemstones, making many acquisitions that solidified his already established reputation for discernment. He went on to acquire several famous gems throughout the years, and donated two important rare natural color diamonds to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The company’s alignment with the Smithsonian, as well its reputation for the acquisition of important gemstones, diamonds and jewelry, continue to thrive today.
The DeYoung Collection is now run by Alan Levy and his wife Janet Samuel Levy, who are joined by their daughter Lauren, the 6th generation of the family-owned business. Together, the family continues to maintain its tradition of the representation of important gems and jewels, its position as an authority in the estate jewelry business and its reputation for expertise and integrity. With an intimate sense of what serious jewelry collectors are seeking, the family traverses the globe to amass an exceptional selection to present to their exacting clientele.