Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
Live from Couture: Meet the Design Atelier
This year’s crop of up-and-coming designers is preternaturally polished.

Any given year, the jewelry trade show’s opening day sees retailers scouting “Design Atelier” talent between years-established appointments for a glimpse of what’s next, not only for their stores and customers but also for jewelry design’s overall direction.
This year’s group of emerging designers is an especially good arbiter of what’s resonating in the saturated marketplace of new brands, having set themselves apart simply by being selected for the show.
The 2021 class is particularly polished at that, with a host of good retailers already under their belts, good industry connections, and lots of branding know-how.
That they seek out the Couture show in an increasingly digital era speaks to the prestige of the jewelry trade show. The selectivity of its vetting process acts as an endorsement, and ambitious designers see it as an opportunity to level up and connect with the accounts that really matter to them.
Click through the below gallery for a sampling of what these directional voices have to offer, from the everyday staples (Lizzie Mandler, Walters Faith) to the avant-garde (Vram), diamond-centric (Ondyn), and the colored gem-obsessed (M. Spalten, Dale Hernsdorf). Visit their websites for a more in-depth look.
We’ll have more on these and other designers exhibiting at the Las Vegas jewelry trade shows in the coming days and weeks.
The Latest

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.


The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”

The retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.

The three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.

The collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Sponsored by Clientbook

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.