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In a striking display of personal style on the baseball diamond, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a key player in the 2025 World Series triumph, chose to accessorize his uniform with a distinctive piece of jewelry. Eschewing the more common gold chains favored by many athletes, Yamamoto collaborated with renowned jeweler Gabe Arik of Happy Jewelers to create a bespoke 14-karat gold tennis necklace, brilliantly set with over 30 carats of vivid blue sapphires. This unique accessory quickly garnered attention, not only for its impressive design but also for its symbolic significance to Yamamoto, who regards it as his personal good luck charm, worn during every pitching appearance.

Gabe Arik, a second-generation jeweler whose family roots in the trade trace back to Istanbul in 1973, established Happy Jewelers in Orange County two and a half decades ago. While Arik is a devoted fan of the Dodgers, his clientele extends across Major League Baseball. He notes that Happy Jewelers has evolved into a favored destination for players from various teams, who visit his store to commission new chains or select exquisite pieces for their loved ones. Arik's initial foray into the major league jewelry scene wasn't through his beloved Dodgers, but rather the Chicago White Sox, thanks to an introduction from player Frank Thomas, whose referrals ultimately expanded Arik's reach to numerous teams.

Yamamoto's introduction to Happy Jewelers came courtesy of his teammate, Kiké Hernández, known for his adventurous taste in jewelry. Hernández entrusted Arik with complete creative freedom this season, resulting in a stunning double-strand tennis necklace featuring sapphires in an array of blue shades. Hernández's collection also boasts a vibrant rainbow sapphire tennis necklace and a multi-colored ruby piece, further showcasing the diverse and bold designs created by Happy Jewelers.

The dazzling blue necklace worn by Yamamoto during the World Series became a focal point for spectators, especially as he proudly displayed it over his gray World Series Champion t-shirt on November 1st. Capitalizing on its newfound fame, Happy Jewelers promptly made the MVP-approved design available for purchase on their website, offering it in both natural and lab-grown sapphire options. This move not only celebrates the team's victory but also allows fans to share in a piece of the excitement.

As Los Angeles continues to revel in the glory of its second consecutive World Series title, Arik is already envisioning future creations. He expressed his excitement about designing something truly exceptional for Yamamoto next year, hinting at several innovative concepts he plans to present during the preseason. This ongoing collaboration underscores the growing intersection of high fashion and professional sports, where personal style and symbolic adornments play an increasingly significant role in an athlete's public persona and performance rituals.