Opened by five friends in 1991, Velvet da Vinci (our name inspired by an old Perry Mason television episode) is a gallery of contemporary craft specializing in art jewelry and metalwork. Representing artists from the US, Europe, Latin America and Japan, the quality and range of work shown at Velvet da Vinci gallery has made it a favorite for collectors, museum curators, and other knowledgeable art and art-jewelry enthusiasts. Also visit us on Instagram #velvetdavincigallery and Facebook. Thanks for stopping by.
Reviews (23)
Veronica Gant
Mar 11, 2017
Charee L.
Feb 14, 2017
Laura Shope
Mar 23, 2016
Beth G.
Dec 19, 2015
Alexandra S.
Aug 10, 2015
I have been on a four-year quest for gold earrings, and at Velvet Da Vinci, I finally found them! This is not your run-of-the-mill artsy jewelry store: it really is a cross between store and gallery. There are some extraordinary pieces here, and in a huge range of styles -- some very modern, some very classic, some avant garde. A range of prices, too: you can spend serious money here but there are also some more affordable finds (though not many pieces under $100-200, as far as I could see, and lots well above.) If you love jewelry -- to buy, or to just look at -- this is a must.
Stacy Gray
Jan 17, 2015
Alex Boss
Dec 03, 2014
Joel M.
Nov 23, 2014
I walk past VDV on my way to work, and often stop in just to enjoy the show. It's basically a collection of the most imaginative craft sculpture and jewelry you'll find anywhere. The "art hit rate" (fraction of objects that are not only beautiful but astonishing) is higher here than in many museums. This is art, and is indeed priced in a different range than commercial products.
Over the years, I've bought a few pieces (a Thomas Hill bird and some Junko Mori spiky sea urchins) and have quickly forgotten what they cost - a good indication that I'd received more than I'd paid.
Over the years, I've bought a few pieces (a Thomas Hill bird and some Junko Mori spiky sea urchins) and have quickly forgotten what they cost - a good indication that I'd received more than I'd paid.
Cinnamon Z.
Jul 29, 2012
I've been shopping here since they were on Hayes Street - back when Hayes was a bit dangerous (and not just to the pocketbook!) I almost always see something to lust after, sometimes more than one thing. I'm not always crazy about their exhibits, but they are always worth a look. I love their devotion to craftspeople and to fine and unique jewelry. This is absolutely a destination. Parking on their block is pretty good. Any hard core jewelry fiend - even if you can't afford it - will adore this shop.
Patrick S.
Dec 23, 2011
Nick B.
May 12, 2011
This place has some really, really nice stuff. I greatly desire their bronze bicycle on display. However, this bicycle is indicative of the rest of the items in this store - super awesome, but super pricey. I've bought some jewelry here for my fiance, and we have been nothing but pleased. The ambiance is very nice, staff is extremely professional and knowledgeable, and I felt well taken care of.
They spent a lot of time with us, and made sure to wrap it exquisitely and make sure we were satisfied. The decor is very modern, and they have some beautiful pieces, as even an untrained eye like mine can determine. As said earlier though, someone has to pay for it. Most of the stuff here ain't cheap, but the quality explains the price away. I'll come back here for the a classy gift I'm buying for the special lady.
They spent a lot of time with us, and made sure to wrap it exquisitely and make sure we were satisfied. The decor is very modern, and they have some beautiful pieces, as even an untrained eye like mine can determine. As said earlier though, someone has to pay for it. Most of the stuff here ain't cheap, but the quality explains the price away. I'll come back here for the a classy gift I'm buying for the special lady.
Caroline V.
Jul 13, 2010
We were referred to Purple Da Vinci when looking for promise rings. The gallery itself is a gift to the Bay Area and I cannot believe it's taken me this long to discover it. I now make it a regular jaunt when in the area. There were so many wonderful, chic, unique and elegant pieces to choose from but with Elizabeth's (co-owner) encouragement, we settled on two stackable rings by Masato Inoue for me and one for my partner.
We love them so much, we decided we want to get our wedding set from the same designer. We asked Mike (other co-owner) what were some options and he offered great design advice on how to add to our current sets. Aside from serving as a great artistic space and center of amazing jewelry, I love Purple Da Vinci for the warm interactions we have had with Elizabeth and Mike. They were super sweet to our baby boy and even played with our high strung pups. We highly recommend this place for art enthusiasts and jewelry collectors alike.
We love them so much, we decided we want to get our wedding set from the same designer. We asked Mike (other co-owner) what were some options and he offered great design advice on how to add to our current sets. Aside from serving as a great artistic space and center of amazing jewelry, I love Purple Da Vinci for the warm interactions we have had with Elizabeth and Mike. They were super sweet to our baby boy and even played with our high strung pups. We highly recommend this place for art enthusiasts and jewelry collectors alike.
Vanessa L.
Jul 09, 2010
This place has some of the most beautiful and unique jewelry I have ever seen. I was amazed by many of the pieces in their current show, Dichotomies in Objects--especially the pieces with the skulls! Wow! The person who was working there was friendly, allowed my friend and I to browse freely without making things awkward. which I feel like happens pretty often in gallery-like spaces.
Rachel L.
Oct 11, 2009
This place is more of an art gallery than a jewelry store. The place is huge, urban, and chic. I fell in love with many of the specialty artists they showcase, especially the raw diamond jewelry by Todd Reed. The woman who was working there was very helpful and did not pressure me into a sale, even though I walked around with the ring of my dreams for over 15 minutes, clearly wanting to own it. In fact, she pointed me to a couple other jewelry stores in the city that feature raw diamonds and unique pieces. I will definitely be back.
Anne Marie S.
Feb 07, 2009
If you enjoy or are even remotely interested in original artwork, jewelry, creating jewelry, metalsmithing, or delicate, colorful, interesting objects - you will love this place. Prepare to be blown away by the detail and care that goes into these pieces. and if you see something that you just couldn't possibly live without and have the funds, hell, buy the damn thing. Jewelry and metals books are good for reference, but popping in here for a look at the actual pieces does more for inspiration than any Lark book ever could.
John S.
Jun 03, 2008
This is a cool gallery that displays and sells some pretty interesting jewelry, sculpture, and other art. I'm a little bit biased, though, because this is one of the first places that sold my brother and his girlfriend's mobiles (http://www.mikeandmaaike.com). Since then, they've featured a lot of my brother and his girlfriend's stuff.
The owners are nice and not sheeshy. They used to be located in Hayes Valley, and although I liked their old space better, I think their new neighborhood fits better with their vibe.
The owners are nice and not sheeshy. They used to be located in Hayes Valley, and although I liked their old space better, I think their new neighborhood fits better with their vibe.
Kevin S.
Jan 07, 2008
My favorite kind of drawing is contour drawing--it's the technique I fell in love with in high school and which has served as the sparkplug for my own paintings. Picking up pen or pencil or charcoal and follow the line and edge wherever it takes you, dividing subject from ground, positive space from negative space, here from there, thing from not-thing. That's why I love this gallery; along with the lovely jewelery, they feature 3-d wire sculptures by artists who seems to share my love for contour line drawings.
One sculptor right now has half a dozen or more beautiful pieces based on chickens. I would love to have a rooster and chicken family set, and there was a chameleon in the window a few months ago that I'm still trying to get. There is one hanging piece of a pregnanet woman that is just gorgeous. The owners of this place have a great eye for interesting sculpture and jewlery.
One sculptor right now has half a dozen or more beautiful pieces based on chickens. I would love to have a rooster and chicken family set, and there was a chameleon in the window a few months ago that I'm still trying to get. There is one hanging piece of a pregnanet woman that is just gorgeous. The owners of this place have a great eye for interesting sculpture and jewlery.
Wakako U.
Nov 18, 2007
Tina E.
Jan 05, 2007
Velvet Da Vinci is one of my favorite stores in the country. When I lived in CA they were located in Hayes Valley but have moved to a much more grand space on Polk. When I am visiting the bay area (or the web), I go there to look at the amazing work of some wonderful artists and to get inspired. Anyone with artistic sensibility and with of love of craft (not a dirty word) would love this store. I would love it even more if my wallet would allow.
Amme P.
Dec 27, 2006
Shawn S.
Dec 14, 2006
My Dad is a jeweler of the "art" variety, and he turned me on to Velvet da Vinci a few years ago as a place that selects only the cream of the art jewelry crop for its showcases. So it's always fun to do a fly-by when you're in the neighborhood, because of all the interesting stuff on display. It's also a great place to find a unique gift, and that's why I stopped in today.
Japanese seemed to be the flavor of the day, or at least I felt like the first few things that caught my eye were all by Japanese designers. I particularly liked a trio of fun textile pieces - a necklace and a couple of bracelets, but I couldn't think of anyone on my list who would dare to wear them. I walked out empty-handed but still glad I made the trip, and that's saying something for a guy who doesn't like to shop. Anyway, for art jewelry there's no better place.
Japanese seemed to be the flavor of the day, or at least I felt like the first few things that caught my eye were all by Japanese designers. I particularly liked a trio of fun textile pieces - a necklace and a couple of bracelets, but I couldn't think of anyone on my list who would dare to wear them. I walked out empty-handed but still glad I made the trip, and that's saying something for a guy who doesn't like to shop. Anyway, for art jewelry there's no better place.
Miriam B.
May 12, 2006
Better than jewelry at SFMOMA! Sooo international you'll think you're on a world wide concourse on the now extinct Concorde on a 30 minute ride of incredible creativity from high end jewelry artists from around the Northern Hemisphere.haven't seen Argentinian or Brazilian or South African works yet. Give a shout out to MIKE and ELIZABETH.amazing stuff, y'all. NOTE: Parking meter MAN likes to ticket your car ($50) if you do not CURB (turn your wheel towards curb DOWNHILL, turn your wheel away from curb UPHILL) damn, $50 for a looksee for a show! without deep pockets for that beautiful white gold pendant.
Stellah D.
Apr 13, 2005
Velvet Da Vinci consistently exhibit some of the most interesting jewelry design in the city. The work here is highly sculptural and comfortably straddles the divide between art and design. If you are looking for a demure ring or some screaming bling, this is not the store for you. However, if you are looking for some baubles with depth and pedigree to show off at the next mission art opening, this is definitely the place to go. http://www.velvetdavinci.com/