6 Emerging Designers at the Centurion Show

Posted on January 31, 2012

A handful of newcomers joined seasoned exhibitors and retailer attendees alike at this week's 11th annual Centurion show. While the firms are newer to the trade-show circuit (this fair included), you may recognize a few of the names, as some have already made inroads in the wholesale market.

Jamie Cassavoy [2]

She’s been a fixture on the Buyers Market of American Craft fair in Philadelphia as well as the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore. This new-to-Centurion artist has a penchant for two-tone silver and 18k gold looks. 

Signature style: Sweetly rendered nature themes including flowers and leaves in matte finishes with colored stones.

Starting retail price: $450 in silver

Number of U.S. accounts: 60, including Style by Max in Minneapolis

Bird on Branch pendant in oxidized silver and 18k gold with 0.02 ct. t.w. diamonds; $2,230. Jamie Cassavoy [2]

Ward Kelvin [3]

He calls his bamboo- and lattice-motif works in 18k gold “American Chinoise.” JCK readers may recall first seeing his styles more than a year ago in print [4], when we named him one of our 7 new designers to watch.

Signature style: Lattice and bamboo motifs in 18k gold set with common stones like peridot in an effort to keep the line approachable.

Starting retail price: $1,200

Number of U.S. accounts: Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City

Earrings in 18k gold have coral and diamonds; $10,000. Ward Kelvin [3]

Laavanya (ami@laavanyajewels.com [5])

Gemstone-intense one-of-a-kinds made in India and Hong Kong are among this newly launched (fall 2011) firm’s specialties thanks to family-dealer connections at Royal India USA.

Signature style: One-of-a-kind gemstone designs, including lots of slices, in 18k gold

Starting retail price: $2,000

Number of U.S. accounts: 40, including Mednikow Jewelers in Memphis, Tenn.

Earrings in 18k gold have 8.38 cts. t.w. pink tourmaline slices, 16 cts. t.w. tourmaline beads, 2 cts. t.w. melee, and 1.5 cts. t.w. diamond slices; $15,000. ami@laavanyajewels.com [5]

Lydia Lerner [6]

Lerner launched her firm in 2007 and has styles made in Bali; Centurion marks her first trade fair.

Signature style: Nature themes including leaves in high-polish sterling

Starting retail price: $240

Number of U.S. accounts: None yet

Sterling Leaf cuff; $900. Lydia Lerner [6]

Revabella [7]

The sterling line made in India features laser cuts coupled with diamonds to give a big look for less.

Signature style: Precision laser cuts in silver to give the impression of diamonds

Starting retail price: $205

Number of U.S. accounts: Nine, including Hildgund Jewelers with seven locations in Hawaii

Sterling beaded necklace with 1.20 cts. t.w. diamonds; $2,397. Revabella [7]

Shamila [8]

Centurion marks the first-ever trade show for this one-time cultural anthropologist who’s been designing and selling jewelry full-time since 2009.

Signature style: Worldly inspirations like Istanbul, evident in tulip motifs and carved beads

Starting retail price: $240 in silver

Number of U.S. accounts: 12, including Descenza Diamonds in Seattle

Minaret rings in silver and 14k gold have custom carved gemstone beads; $240 in silver and $480 in gold. Shamila [8]