Jan–Feb 2018

Gem Hunt: The Hottest Hues and Most Coveted Colored Stones

Gem Hunt: The Hottest Hues and Most Coveted Colored Stones

From iridescent opal to multicolored sapphires to tourmaline in just about any shade you can dream of, these luscious gems are guaranteed to leave you on a rainbow high. Photography by Jean-Philippe Malaval Stylist Jen Smith Jewelry Editor Rima Suqi 18k white gold earrings with 45.31 cts. t.w. emerald beads and 0.4 ct. t.w. diamonds,…

Gem Class Heroes: The 5 Hottest Stones for 2018

Whether they’re suddenly sexy opaque stones or faceted favorites in unusual hues, these are the five gems to watch in 2018. Fill your pockets accordingly.   Designer Diane von Furstenberg has said that “all fashion begins in the street,” then works its way up to the runways. While the world of jewelry, where trends are…

Next Level Looks: 5 Jewelry Trends to Watch in 2018

Need new jewels for the new year? These five trends—sculptural brass styles, slim and sexy lariats, keshi pearls, opaque stones (think tiger’s eye, malachite, and more), and mix-and-match earrings—will keep customers coming back all year long.   Photography by Stephen Lewis      Prop Stylist Sara Wacksman Palomas earrings in brass; $475; Ariana Boussard-Reifel; hello@marteau.co; arianaboussardreifel.com…

How Retailers Are Preparing for Natural Disasters

Most of us don’t spend much time dwelling on natural disasters, but last year’s trio of hurricanes—Harvey, Irma, and Maria—along with devastating wildfires in California brought the issue into sharper focus. For jewelry retailers, the issue is one of safety for themselves, their families, and their workers. In addition to taking precautions to keep their…

50 Ways to Improve Your Store Right Now

For retailers looking to survive and thrive in 2018, it pays to sweat the small stuff. Modern consumers enjoy more ways than ever to browse and buy jewelry—on social media and through apps and Google searches, to name just a few. But the spike in consumer entry points means today’s retailers need the dexterity of…

Behind JCK’s Colorful Gem-Filled Cover Shoot With Model Alecia Morais

Looking for the most coveted stones—and the hottest hues—in the desert? We’ll tell you what to stock up on in Tucson, aka colored-stone nirvana.   34-inch beaded rope necklace with lanterns, sapphires, and gold clasp with diamonds; $12,125; Adel Chefridi; 866-428-8777; chefridi.com Earrings with 6.57 cts. t.w. boulder opal, pearl, 10.58 cts. t.w. tourmaline, and…

5 Things Rocking the Industry: January–February 2018

RETAILERS Holly Golightly’s dream of having Breakfast at Tiffany’s has become a reality, and it’s not even bring-your-own croissant. On Nov. 3, Tiffany & Co. opened The Blue Box Cafe, a new eatery on the fourth floor of its New York City flagship, which, of course, serves breakfast. The move is part of a larger…

From the Editor: January–February 2018

Live colorfully. For most of my life, I’ve tried hard to adhere to this maxim, metaphorically speaking. I’ve traveled on the fly, eaten every delicacy that appeared in front of me (fried grasshopper, grilled snake), and said yes to invitations at least 10 times more than I said no. But it wasn’t until I spent…

Staff Picks, January–February 2018: Call It Mellow Yellow

“I’m completely drawn to the sunny color that’s been brightening so many fashion collections this season.” —Brittany Siminitz, JCK contributing editor   (Above) Necklace with 23.29 cts. t.w. yellow and pink sapphires and 2.16 cts. t.w. diamonds in 18k gold; price on request; Andreoli; 212-582-2050; andreoliusa.com Bypass ring with 4.43 cts. t.w. fancy yellow radiant-cut…

From the Publisher: January–February 2018

Happy New Year! By the time this issue is out, you’ll have made it through the holiday season and you should have a pretty good idea about how your store fared. We certainly hope it was a terrific one! Despite all the chaos and noise coming from (both sides in) Washington, the good news is…

Why @athousandfacets Is Our Favorite Feed of the Month

We may never see the face of the blogger behind @athousandfacets and the corresponding Tumblr, but this much we know: Girl loves a ring stack. She also loves to spotlight independent jewelry designers (and retailers) all across the U.S. and abroad. Colored French tips FTW!   A quartet of blue-green Jamie Joseph beauties from New…

Inside the Booming Lab-Grown Diamond Business

While the jury is still out about how lab-grown diamonds will fare with consumers, many trade veterans are convinced the stones are the future. In the last few months, Scott Sedlacek, former vice president of merchandising at Reeds Jewelers, joined ALTR Created Diamonds, a New York City–based brand that is now selling at Helzberg Diamonds.…

3 Questions for Ben Bridge Jeweler’s Lisa Bridge

In November, Lisa Bridge became president and chief operating officer of Ben Bridge Jeweler. She is the fifth generation of her family to work at the jeweler. (Her father, Ed, formerly co-CEO, is now sole CEO and chairman. Her uncle Jonathan, formerly co-CEO, has retired.) Here, she talks about how her fellow millennials view jewelry,…

Industry & People: January–February 2018

COMINGS AND GOINGS Bryan Morgan (pictured), former chief operating officer of Signet, has joined Stuller as chief systems and technology officer. GIA has welcomed three new governors to its board: Andy Johnson, CEO of Diamond Cellar Holdings; Lawrence Ma, chief executive of Lee Heng Diamond Group; and Karen Evans, national director of the U.S. Cyber Challenge. The…

Innovative Retailer: Flying Solo in New York City

A few years ago, Elizabeth ­Solomeina, owner of fine jewelry brand Solomeina, decided she would stop wishing for a New York City retail partner that let independent designers connect directly with their consumers—she would create such a store herself. The designer joined forces (and pooled financial resources) with nearly three dozen other locally based fashion, accessory,…

What Will You Do Differently in Your Store in 2018?

I just moved locations in Lexington, and we’re going to start doing exhibitions showcasing true art jewelry. I’m hoping we can do them at least twice a year. It keeps things fresh and interesting. I’m in a pretty conservative area, so we’re going to start out with a few weird pieces to introduce people to…

Store We Adore: Thistle & Bess in Ann Arbor, Michigan

222 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. Blocks away from the University of Michigan’s leafy campus and nestled among some of Ann Arbor’s most revered retailers lies Thistle & Bess. It’s both eclectic and well-designed, reflecting owner Diana Marsh’s love for English elegance, Scottish traditions, and a bit of Brooklyn bravado.   In just two…

Set in Stone: Stunning Inlaid Gemstone Jewelry

Whether classically inclined or out-of-this-world, inlaid gemstones and wood impart an artistic touch to designer jewels.   1 / (Above) Ebony Buckle earrings in 18k yellow gold; $8,200; David Webb; 212-421-3030; davidwebb.com   2 / Opal inlay heart pendant in 18k yellow gold with diamonds; $5,500; Jennifer Meyer; 844-446-3937; jennifermeyer.com   3 / Opal inlay Galaxy Mosaic cuff…

Sexy, Swingy Tassel Earrings for the Bead Generation

Natalie Portman We were thrilled to see Portman—not typically a statement jewelry wearer—jazz up a little Dior black dress with ruby tassels at an L.A. Dance Project gala (she was a co-chair). The kicky Van Cleef & Arpels drops were a natural choice: VCA is a supporter of LADP, which was founded by Portman’s husband,…

Inside the New York Studio of Jewelry Designer Adel Chefridi

It’s a blustery late-November day in New York’s Hudson Valley, and designer Adel Chefridi is at his bench on the second floor of his Kingston, N.Y., studio, ­painstakingly engraving the charm of an earring. He covers the charm with a black Sharpie and polishes off the ink, leaving behind a slight shadow in the grooves…

JCK Asks…Aaron Henry Designer Aaron Furlong

For our annual pre–Gem Week issue, it’s only fitting that we feature a designer who’s as besotted with colored stones as we are. Aaron Furlong works natural wonders with vibrant spinel and paints wearable mosaics with multicolored sapphires. Not surprisingly, those happen to be Furlong’s favorite gems: “So many colors and great brilliance!” Look for…

Fantastic Beast: Sanjay Kasliwal’s Preening Peacock Ring

Peacocks are a signature motif for Sanjay Kasliwal, the Jaipur, India–based jewelry firm named for its founder, an eighth-generation member of the family behind the city’s venerated Gem Palace. Shalini Kasliwal, Sanjay’s daughter and the firm’s North American president, helmed the creation of this particular peacock after falling hard for “the intricate structure of it,”…

Gold, January–February 2018: Charm Necklaces for the Win

CAN’T-MISS COLLECTION A Call to Charms Charm bracelets will always have a place in collectors’ hearts (and jewelry boxes), but don’t overlook the more wearable—and, frankly, more easily changeable—charm necklace. At a recent press preview, we were completely, well, charmed by Delphine Leymarie’s very collectible and affordable ($275–$795 -retail) gold, gemstone, and enamel danglers. The…

Bridal, January–February 2018: Picchiotti’s 50th Anniversary Line & More

CAN’T-MISS COLLECTION Love Italian Style To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Italian fine jewelry firm Picchiotti has debuted an opulent new wedding jewelry range—featuring engagement rings, wedding bands, and jewelry intended for the day of the celebration—that epitomizes classic Italian style, in all its gemmy glory. This is a collection for your more-is-more clients: Its ultraglamorous…

Silver, January–February 2018: John Hardy’s New Naga Pieces & More

CAN’T-MISS COLLECTION Way of the Dragon The mythical Balinese dragon Naga has been the inspiration for John Hardy’s collection of dragon-motif pieces—also called Naga—for eons. But the scaly beauty, as imagined by the brand, has undergone an elegant update at the hands of Hollie Bonneville Barden, the company’s first-ever female creative director. The designer was…

Prepping for Gem Week With a Peek at JCK Tucson 2018

Most jewelers arrive in Tucson in early February expecting to shop for loose stones, mineral specimens, and other quirky finds from the wide world of gems. The selection at JCK Tucson, however, challenges those expectations. The show, which runs Jan. 31–Feb. 3 at the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, specializes in finished…

Don’t Miss These 5 Exhibitors at the 2018 AGTA GemFair Tucson

Gem week—it’s the most colorful time of the year! The AGTA GemFair runs Jan. 30–Feb. 4 at the Tucson Convention Center; don’t miss these exhibitors (or the free shuttles from the JCK Tucson show!). 1 / (Above) Ring in platinum with 4.51 ct. sapphire and 2.18 cts. t.w. diamonds; $75,600; Jye’s International; 415-621-8880; jyescorp.com   2…

Should Your Business Be Marketing on YouTube? You Bet!

YouTube announced in September that it reached more than 1.5 billion monthly active users—meaning that it now has the second-largest audience in the world, just behind Facebook. More than 90 percent of U.S. teens, and just over 80 percent of U.S. millennials, are regular YouTube users, according to the company, with each group on average…

Tool Time, January–February 2018: Ferragamo’s F-80 Motion & More

APP CHAT Enlight Photofox There are countless photo editing apps on the market, all touting cool tools to help you create high-quality imagery for your social feeds. But few are as full-featured as the latest version of Enlight Photofox. The nifty app, which was a 2017 Apple Design Award winner, essentially puts a streamlined, easy-to-use…

Lauren Hutton Sparkles in Tiffany Jewelry for her First ‘Vogue’ Cover

For fine jewelry inspiration, look no further than Lauren Hutton’s first cover for U.S. Vogue in November 1966. With those expressive eyes and that asymmetrical smile (she was advised not to reveal her famously gapped teeth), you can already see a fashion icon in the making. In the photograph by Bert Stern, she wears a…

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