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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

“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…

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…

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.…

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,…

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,…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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,”…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…