In the age of COVID-19, the savviest bridal retailers have gone digital. once you get a feel for the new frontier, you can fast-track your way to a season filled with unprecedented wedding jewelry sales. Whether you’re keeping regular hours now, with masks and hand sanitizer at the ready, or open only by appointment, selling…

The century-old Art Deco movement remains an eternal source of inspiration for contemporary jewelers. We recap the era’s influence on jewelry design through the decades in anticipation of the next big comeback. (Spoiler: It’s already here.) It would be hard to find someone in the jewelry industry who’s not well-versed in art deco style. Most…

We asked 20 big thinkers across the industry to describe the most significant changes that will—or should—influence jewelry retail in the weeks, months, and years to come If ever the jewelry industry ­needed a soothsayer, it’s now, as we stand at the crossroads of two ­profoundly different ways of life: pre- and post-COVID-19. How will…

Give yourself a hand—literally. here’s how jewelry retailers can tap into the booming gig economy. In preparing to move and rebrand his Naperville, Ill., jewelry store this year, Kevin Lydon leaned into the swelling so-called gig economy for a helping hand. Lydon, who changed the name of his 16-year-old jewelry store from The Diamond Gallery…

Design collaborations are a smart way to generate buzz, reach new audiences, and ultimately drive sales. Here’s what makes the model successful—and how jewelers can make it work for them on a local level. Although 2020 has been tough going, the year began with some memorable jewelry design collaborations that epitomized why alliances between like-minded…

GROUPS There are changes afoot at the organization formerly known as the Diamond Producers Association. Rechristened the Natural Diamond Council, the miner-backed group will still run ads for gems, but it’s also turning its site into an info hub for diamonds. And it plans fewer potshots at lab-grown diamonds (“They’re a distraction,” says new CEO…

In the wake of the protests that erupted across the country in late May over the brutal killing of George Floyd, the industry embarked on a much-needed conversation about systemic racism and how to create a more diverse and inclusive environment for BIPOC jewelers. While change this dramatic doesn’t happen overnight, there are reasons to…

What JCK magazine’s Amy Elliott is loving this month “Bold and fiery or muted and mellow, these gemstones made me think of the ‘rosy-fingered dawn’ and sunsets spreading out over the desert.” —Amy Elliott, JCK contributing editor (Top) Moth brooch with chalcedony and Atelier Munsteiner–cut green tourmaline in 18k, 22k, and 24k gold and silver…

Just one year ago, I was ­excitedly ­writing my publisher’s letter for the ­September–October 2019 issue of JCK, which marked our 150th anniversary. What a difference a year makes. As I write this in mid-July 2020, our world is months into the COVID-19 pandemic, a once-in-a-century crisis. There’s not a single aspect of our lives…

In August, at press time, the COVID-19 pandemic was still ravaging some areas of the United States, with many jewelers having to temporarily close and customers afraid to leave their homes. As a result, jewelry stores—even those that were traditionally cyber-shy—have increasingly turned to online tools. Signet just hired its first-ever chief digital officer—Rebecca Wooters,…

In the jewelry business, Dr. Benjamin Chavis is known as a cofounder of Diamonds Do Good (formerly the Diamond Empowerment Fund). But in the outside world, he’s more famous as a member of the Wilmington 10—a group of civil rights activists who were falsely convicted of arson and conspiracy in 1971—as well as a former…

The key to Marissa Collections’ success (and six-figure sales) is connecting clients directly with their favorite jewelry designers Since 1975, Marissa Collections has been synonymous with designer fashion in southern Florida. The now-sprawling boutique was founded by co-owners Marissa and Burt Hartington as a fashion oasis that introduced emerging designer collections from all over the…

The winner of JCK’s inaugural Diamonds Do Good Jewelry Awards impressed us with a 40th-birthday celebration beyond compare In early February, JCK, in partnership with Diamonds Do Good, announced the inaugural Diamonds Do Good Jewelry Awards honoring members of the jewelry industry who have made charitable giving a successful and sustainable part of their business.…

Masculine statement rings elevate a modern gent’s wardrobe (Top) Zodiac (Aquarius) ring with black diamonds in 18k yellow gold; $8,250; Established; 646-745-6831; establishedjewelry.com Petrvs Scarab Signet ring in black titanium and 18k yellow gold; $1,750; David Yurman; 888-398-7626; davidyurman.com Organic men’s band in 22k yellow gold and sterling silver; $2,385; Todd Reed; 303-442-6280; toddreed.com Crusader…

Mignonne Gavigan turned a scrap of torn fabric into a sparkle- and spangle-filled earring-focused fashion jewelry empire Sometimes, destiny is decided by a single impulsive act. For designer Mignonne “Maggie” Gavigan Smith, that moment occurred when she was remaking a vintage beaded couture dress. As she ripped the gown, a swath of it fell to…

Her hip Los Angeles–based brand is perfectly positioned for self-purchasers We love big jewelry as much as anyone. But we also don’t go anywhere without a few sparkly stacking bands and delicate diamond earrings. That’s where EF Collection comes in. If it’s a staple, EF makes it. And if you’re stumped for inspiration, just go…

Jacob & Co. has taken its ­action-packed Astronomia watch to ­mind-blowing new levels of complexity (and fun!) with the Astronomia Casino: a limited edition featuring a miniature, fully functioning roulette wheel, complete with an actual bouncing ball. “I think people will be surprised by how real the experience is,” says chief content officer Keith W.…

TREND GAME For Heaven’s Sake Celestial motifs are evergreen in jewelry, but not since the Victorian era have we seen so much demand for jewels boasting planetary inspiration. The sun, moon, stars, and planets feel especially luxe when wrought in real gold. Designers such as Andrea Fohrman and Sofia Zakia built their popular permanent collections…

CAN’T-MISS COLLECTION Scene Stealers To showcase a tiny “world within a world” is the goal of the breathtaking rings by Italian jewelry brand Dreamboule, founded in 2018 by Ben Crocco, an alumnus of the Swiss watch brand Hublot. The cabochon cocktail rings feature tiny scenes erected on watch bezels in 18k gold and precious gemstones—frozen…

Some brands and influencers are giving their most dedicated followers a chance to get insider content—for a small fee Instagram was once the most serene of the social platforms. All arty photos and spare captions, it felt like a true respite from Facebook’s aggressive linking and busy interfaces. But the network grew—it now has more…

WHO, WHAT, WEARABLE Garmin Venu Garmin, arguably the most respected sports smartwatch brand on the market, designed its new Venu model to be the ultimate sports watch. Yes, it tells time, has text and call alerts, and plays music. But its forte is tracking and measuring sports performance, along with facets of your overall health.…

Josephine Baker is a deco superstar in African-influenced necklaces by sculptor/jeweler/lacquer master Jean Dunand Josephine Baker was one of the most famous women in Paris, her adopted city, and most of Europe during the Jazz Age. The American-born artist and civil rights activist shimmied her way to ­stardom, introducing her Danse Sauvage onstage in Paris…