May 2018

2018 JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards: The Winners

2018 JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards: The Winners

For the 11th annual Jewelers’ Choice Awards, voters were swept into the celestial orbit of  a pair of golden, diamond-dusted shining-star ear drops in what’s now unquestionably the year of the earring Photograph by Mikael Schulz Stylist Jessica Willis / Jewelry Editor Rima Suqi GRAND PRIZE WINNER 14k yellow gold ascending star drop earrings with 0.51…

The Art of Fashion

Watercolor meets colored stones in a painter’s ode to the jewelry wardrobe Artwork & Styling by Bruno Grizzo Photography by Liam Goodman Jewelry Editor Rima Suqi Couture Voyage Africa 18k white gold earrings with 2.24 cts. t.w. black diamond pavé, 1.59 cts. t.w. tsavorite pavé, 1.26 cts. t.w. orange sapphire pavé, 0.88 ct. t.w. blue…

How Beyoncé, Leandra Medine & Other Style Queens Got Their Crowns

In need of some jewelry inspiration? Look to these four enviably accessorized women: Beyoncé, Leandra Medine, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Tracee Ellis Ross.   There’s no shortage of stylish women in the public eye. From Kate Middleton to Kate Moss, Emma Stone to Emma Watson, fashion ­superstars abound. But only a handful of these fashion…

5 Jewels That Top Vegas Showgoers’ Shopping Lists

Heading to JCK Las Vegas? Consider adding ­old-school classics, one-of-a-kind estate jewels, and emeralds to your shopping list.   Photography by Liam Goodman Prop Stylist Elizabeth Press Many jewelry buyers are dusting off their suitcases, ­packing up their business cards, and heading to JCK Las Vegas at the end of this month, with shopping lists…

Glitz, Color, Layers, Pearls, and Magpie Mode Rule Fall ’18 Fashion

This season, embrace the mishmash of trends, from saturated, splashy colors to magpie miscellany Brownie points to the front-row fashion observers who could keep their focus this season. Throughout the monthlong circuit, from New York to Paris, there was a cacophony of distractions: Milan protests; Winter Olympics; Academy Awards; the Parkland, Fla., school shooting (and…

Why the Federal Tax Plan Is Looking Promising for Jewelers

The taxman has transitioned from foe to friend. Independent jewelers and tax professionals interviewed by JCK are hailing the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—which was signed into law on Dec. 22—as a huge boon for jewelers, one expected not only to substantially boost profitability but also to help level the taxation landscape among retail…

The Tricky Business of Retail Return Policies

Accustomed to generous retail return policies, jewelry store shoppers aren’t afraid to bring merchandise back. Here’s how to craft a friendly return policy without sacrificing your bottom line.   When the issue of returns comes up, David Audette, co-owner of M.R.T. Jewelers in East Providence, R.I., sighs deeply. For years, M.R.T. held a forgiving return…

Malls of America, Part 1: Somerset Collection

JCK’s ongoing series on the shopping centers finding success amid an ever-changing retail landscape Somerset Collection 2800 West Big Beaver Road Troy, Mich. If you have the opportunity to walk with real estate developer Nathan Forbes around his family’s luxury supercenter, Somerset Collection, in Troy, Mich., you will inevitably see him adjust a sign here…

Behind Our May 2018 Jewelers’ Choice Winners Cover Look

Star Bright Presenting the winners of the 11th annual JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards, including our grand prize–winner, Shy Creation’s celestial-themed gold and diamond earrings. 14k gold ascending star drop earrings with 0.51 ct. t.w. diamonds; $1,320; Shy Creation; 213-623-8900; shycreation.com Infinity six-row curved ring in 18k gold with pavé diamonds; $5,870; Paige Novick; 212-252-1441; paigenovick.com…

5 Things Rocking the Industry: May 2018

WATCHES It’s safe to say Baselworld is in crisis. The watch and jewelry fair, which concluded a shortened six-day run in late March, lost half of the 1,300 exhibitors who showed in 2017, after companies fed up with sky-high costs abandoned the event in droves. Among the brands that remained, tried-and-true models such as dive…

From the Editor, May 2018: On the Transformative Power of Jewelry

Take it from Iris Apfel. “Jewelry is the most transformative thing you can have in your wardrobe,” the nonagenarian fashion maven famously told Racked in a 2014 interview. “If you have simple clothes, you can change the whole look of your outfit with just one piece.” Apfel’s conviction that jewelry has the power to communicate…

Green and Black All Over: Chic, Contemporary, Classic Jewelry

What JCK magazine’s Emili Vesilind is loving this month “Green and black is a classic combo, but I love how brands are using it to imbue modern-looking designs with some retro cool.” —Emili Vesilind, JCK senior editor (Above) Truth pendant in 14k yellow gold with onyx inlay, 0.15 ct. t.w. white diamonds, and 0.36 ct. t.w.…

From the Publisher, May 2018: Change Happens

Greetings from my flight home from this year’s edition of Baselworld, the über-upscale Swiss trade fair focused on the world’s top watch and jewelry brands. It’s no secret that there’s been significant change at the show, with a big decline in exhibitors. The question is why. While I’m not in a position to know the…

Why @hemmerle Is Our Favorite Instagram Feed of the Month

Not every Instagram feed can be called both dazzling and delicious. But that’s the beauty of Hemmerle (@hemmerle), the 125-year-old German jewelry house renowned for its painstakingly crafted bespoke pieces made from materials both humble and highbrow.   Bronze, brass, and iron combine with white gold and diamonds in these sunflower-style studs.   Eat your…

Swiss Movement: Inside Baselworld 2018

The 2018 edition of Baselworld, held in late March, was a leaner, meaner affair than in past years, but watchmakers still brought plenty of heat   (Above) The fair hosted 650 exhibitors, down from 1,300 in 2017. But the crowds in Hall 1, home to the major watch brands, remained as impressive as ever.   For…

Notes on a Scandal: On Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi

Investigation of Indian diamantaires reverberates across America   The headline-making banking scandal involving two Indian diamond ­billionaires—Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi—has already had ramifications for the U.S. jewelry industry. In February, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation charged Modi (pictured) and Choksi with receiving $45 million in fraudulent loans from state-owned Punjab National Bank.…

3 Questions for…Jewelry Designer Anna Sheffield

Designer Anna Sheffield, an early advocate of alternative bridal designs, spoke to JCK about how she built her business a decade ago. What was your first passion in life in terms of professional pursuits? This is it! I had never dreamed of being a jewelry designer or running a com­pany (much less two!). But I…

Industry & People: May 2018

COMINGS & GOINGS Danhov has named Nvard J. Sununu (pictured) director of marketing and communications. Blue Nile has appointed Bill Koefoed (pictured) chief financial officer. Most recently he served as partner and CFO for BCG Digital Ventures, a corporate investment and incubation firm. Christopher Designs has appointed Margaret Becker vice president of sales. She has been with…

Meet Innovative Retailer Anuschka Pashel of Bloom by Anuschka

Indulge your floral fixation at Anuschka Pashel’s Denver boutique, which literally puts the petal to the metal Whether it’s a diamond-­studded necklace, a lush bouquet of ­flowers, or a buttery-soft leather chair, ­Anuschka Pashel is “interested in all things beautiful,” says the retailer. Which is why the former Ford model doesn’t limit the types of products she…

What Jewelry Trends Are You Investing in for 2018?

This year, one of the most exciting things has been getting back to colored gemstones like tourmaline and tanzanite. Citrine and amethyst are always fun and affordable, too. Pearls are huge for us, and we do well with freshwater, South Sea, and Tahitian pearls. We pair pearls with diamonds and also with leather. We’ve also…

The Jane Basch Designs Team Joins the Dolphins Cancer Challenge

Like many of his peers in the trade, Michael Basch, co-owner of Jane Basch Designs and the manufacturer Basch & Co., based in Hollywood, Fla., grew up in the jewelry industry at a time when charitable giving was the province of religious organizations. (His father, Jack Basch, immigrated to New York City from Romania and…

Store We Adore: No. 3 in San Francisco

1987 Hyde St., San Francisco   The third time was the charm for Jenny Chung Seeger. The 36-year-old entrepreneur has opened three different shops in San Francisco in the last 10 years. Her current one—appropriately named No. 3—is the first to specialize in jewelry. An economics major from the University of California, Berkeley, Seeger came…

All I See Is Hue: Rainbow Jewelry for Your Most Colorful Customers

Whether literal arcs or abstract kaleidoscopic designs, these prismatic pieces are always ready to party. Bonus: Each comes with its own pot of gold.   (Above) Large rainbow necklace with multicolored sapphires, amethyst, tsavorite, and green onyx cabochon in 18k white gold; $6,200; Andrea Fohrman; sales@andreafohrman.com; andreafohrman.com   Large rainbow ring with black opal, pink tourmaline,…

Our Favorite Fashion & Jewelry From the 2018 Red Carpet

Lupita Nyong’o More than a month after the red-carpet blackout at the Golden Globes—a high-profile protest against sexual harassment and gender discrimination—actresses continued their show of sartorial solidarity at the British Academy Film Awards. But the all-black looks were anything but boring. With its gold piping and structural styling, Nyong’o’s silk-and-velvet Elie Saab gown gave…

Chatting With Costume Jewelry Queen Lele Sadoughi

Lele Sadoughi has built her business on big, bold, bloom-filled jewels that she proudly calls costume. Wallflowers need not apply. You might not know Lele Sadoughi’s name, but you certainly know her work. A master of costume jewelry, Sadoughi began her design career at Ippolita, working with private-label clients including Banana Republic and Club Monaco…

JCK Asks…Jewelry Designer Christopher Slowinski

The Polish-born designer and LUXURY exhibitor built a brand on getting more bling for your buck   Like many great inventions, the Crisscut happened by accident. “I made a mistake while cutting a diamond,” confesses Christopher Slowinski of his trademark stone, which took two more years to perfect and patent. But Christopher Designs is about…

Viva Mexico: Daniela Villegas’ Sensational Serpent Earrings

Jewelry designer Daniela Villegas’ native Mexico inspired her to create these earthy, opulent earrings, which she named after an ancient Mesoamerican god, Quetzalcóatl. The design boasts a pair of slithering snakes reminiscent of the Mexican flag (which features an eagle eating a rattlesnake) and a mélange of gemstones meant to reflect the nation’s vibrant spirit.…

Bridal, May 2018: The Two-Stone Ring Trend & More

TREND GAME Twice as Nice A chic alternative to classic solitaire and three-stone engagement styles, the two-stone diamond ring is emerging as an in-demand style for modern brides. Blame it on the recent swell of innovative ­two-stone designs from fashion-forward bridal brands that boast bold elements such as open shanks and asymmetrically set stones. (We’re…

Colored Stones, May 2018: Polly Wales’ Blossom Crush Jewels & More

HOT STOCK TIP Treasure Planet At JCK Tucson in February, New York City–based designer Dana Bronfman introduced her Earthly Delights collection “to challenge traditional perspectives on high jewelry,” she says. Using “earthy stones” such as chrysocolla, lapis lazuli, and rutilated quartz—like in this statement-making quartz-and-lapis doublet ring—Bronfman has incorporated her signature Oculus design into each…

Diamonds, May 2018: Parioli’s Nastri Collection & More

CAN’T-MISS COLLECTION Fit to Be Tied After watching his wife tie back his granddaughter’s hair with a ribbon, Adam Zalewski, founder of the Warsaw, Poland–based brand ­Parioli, was inspired to create diamond jewels that capture the fluid lines of a fabric strip. The resulting collection, Nastri, is a slice of jewelry heaven: Earrings, pendants, and…

LUXURY 2018: Blending Tech With Memorable IRL Experience

LUXURY is going ­digital. The Las Vegas show—which opens at Mandalay Bay Convention Center Wednesday, May 30 (one day later than its historical date pattern), runs for two days as an invitation-only affair, and then expands to the wider JCK community before closing Monday, June 4—has incorporated technology into its matchmaking efforts in a manner…

Booming Business at Hong Kong’s Spring 2018 Jewellery Show

Jade, pearls, and 24k gold are a few of Hong Kong’s biggest jewelry exports. But many of the 53,000 attendees who flocked to this year’s Hong Kong International ­Jewellery Show, held March 1–5 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), were on the hunt…

Etiquette Lessons: The Do’s & Don’ts of Repurposing Social Content

It’s a widely held belief that truly great social media content is always 100 percent original. But for luxury brands, the gold standard for social posts—the marriage of pristine professional photography with perfectly pithy captions—doesn’t always lead to strong user engagement. And all those polished still-life shots on Instagram are starting to feel homogeneous. Because…

Tool Time, The Goods: Garmin’s Vivomove HR & More

WHO, WHAT, WEARABLE Garmin’s Vívomove HR Garmin is a veteran fitness wearable developer famous for its GPS technology. But in its 29-year history, the brand has made few devices that appeal to women. The new Vívomove HR hybrid watch—which comes in a 43 mm rose gold case on a white silicone band, among other color…

Veruschka’s Big Hair, Big Earrings, and Big ’60s Style

Veruschka von Lehndorff and Franco Rubartelli met and fell in love. So it was inevitable that the model and photographer would eventually collaborate professionally. Veruschka was very tall—too tall for commercial fashion campaigns—so the lovers turned to body-painting, fabric-draping, feathers, and paillettes in their earliest photographs, soon catching the eye of Vogue editor Diana Vreeland.…

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