CollectionsSep 10, 2021
Piece of the Week: Amrapali’s Lotus Diamond RingCollectionsSep 17, 2021
Piece of the Week: Maggi Simpkins’ Powerful Pink Diamond
It’s part of Sotheby’s “Black & Brilliant” sale, opening today.
Maggi Simpkins “In Bloom” ring for Sotheby’s Brilliant & Black sale (Image courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Hold on to your hearts.
Today in New York City, Sotheby’s opens its selling exhibition, “Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance.”
Curated in partnership with jewelry editor and author Melanie C. Grant, the sale showcases about 60 pieces from 20 talented Black designers from midcentury to today.
Included is Los Angeles-based contemporary multidisciplinary artist and jeweler Maggi Simpkins, whose specialty is bespoke, one-of-a-kind jewels like engagement rings, with an emphasis on crafting “narrative-driven” designs informed by her clients’ life experiences.
For “Brilliant & Black,” Simpkins turned inward to reflect on her own story.
Per her artist’s statement for Sotheby’s, what she uncovered was, “permission to realize my greatness. A permission to be unapologetically bold, a permission to bloom, blossom, expand, take up space, to step into my light. A permission to shine.”
Simpkins continued, “While creating these pieces and reflecting on my story I realized that this is not just my story as a young woman of color designer but a shared story of the Black experience. A major part of the Black experience in America is the fight for that same permission.”
Empowerment suits the designer just fine.
Of the three styles Simpkins created for “Brilliant & Black,” the “In Bloom Ring” is the most elaborate.
Crafted in 18-karat rose gold, it features a rare, internally flawless, 2.43-carat, cushion-cut fancy pink diamond, 2.73 carats of custom-cut rubies, and 0.77 carats of pink sapphires.
Priced at $1 million, it’s available now at Sotheby’s.
Related stories will be right here …
Today in New York City, Sotheby’s opens its selling exhibition, “Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance.”
Curated in partnership with jewelry editor and author Melanie C. Grant, the sale showcases about 60 pieces from 20 talented Black designers from midcentury to today.
Included is Los Angeles-based contemporary multidisciplinary artist and jeweler Maggi Simpkins, whose specialty is bespoke, one-of-a-kind jewels like engagement rings, with an emphasis on crafting “narrative-driven” designs informed by her clients’ life experiences.
For “Brilliant & Black,” Simpkins turned inward to reflect on her own story.
Per her artist’s statement for Sotheby’s, what she uncovered was, “permission to realize my greatness. A permission to be unapologetically bold, a permission to bloom, blossom, expand, take up space, to step into my light. A permission to shine.”
Simpkins continued, “While creating these pieces and reflecting on my story I realized that this is not just my story as a young woman of color designer but a shared story of the Black experience. A major part of the Black experience in America is the fight for that same permission.”
Empowerment suits the designer just fine.
Of the three styles Simpkins created for “Brilliant & Black,” the “In Bloom Ring” is the most elaborate.
Crafted in 18-karat rose gold, it features a rare, internally flawless, 2.43-carat, cushion-cut fancy pink diamond, 2.73 carats of custom-cut rubies, and 0.77 carats of pink sapphires.
Priced at $1 million, it’s available now at Sotheby’s.
Maggi Simpkins “In Bloom” ring for Sotheby’s Brilliant & Black sale (Image courtesy of Sotheby’s)
More on Collections
The Latest
FinancialsSep 06, 2024
Movado Lowers Guidance as Q2 Sales SlipCEO Efraim Grinberg pointed to a challenging consumer spending environment, particularly in the watch category.
CollectionsSep 05, 2024
Bella Hadid Is Chopard’s New Brand AmbassadorThe model and entrepreneur stars in two new Chopard campaigns.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Nordstrom Family Offers to Buy Namesake Retailer for $3.8BMembers of the founding family partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to possibly take Nordstrom private.
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates Elsa Peretti’s Bone CuffThe iconic design has joined a lineup of notable pieces featured in the jeweler’s “With Love, Since 1837” campaign.
Weekly QuizSep 05, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 05, 2024
Former Chopard, Frederique Constant Executive Tapped to Head CadarRalph Simons is now CEO of the jewelry brand started by fashion designer Michal Kadar and her husband, Avraham Kadar, in 2015.
ColumnistsSep 04, 2024
Creative Connecting: Why ‘Experience Content’ Matters Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen say it’s all about giving your social media feeds a human touch.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
TrendsSep 04, 2024
Taylor Hill, Soo Joo Park Star in New Messika CampaignThe models and friends of founder and artistic designer Valérie Messika showcase the brand’s jewelry in the “Back to Icons” campaign.
MajorsSep 04, 2024
Bloomingdale’s to Highlight Italian Jewelry in New Campaign“From Italy, With Love” will showcase Roberto Coin, Marco Bicego, and other Italian brands.
CollectionsSep 03, 2024
Zales, Prince Debut US Open-Inspired CollectionThe jewelry retailer will also have a diamond-set tennis racket on display at the tournament.
IndependentsSep 03, 2024
Ylang 23 Relocates, Expands Dallas FlagshipThe retailer has moved into a 3,200-square-foot space at The Shops of Highland Park.
TrendsSep 03, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Sapphires for SeptemberThe month’s birthstone is vibrant in every color.
WatchesAug 30, 2024
Breitling Marks 140 Years With Special Editions of 3 Classic WatchesThe special editions of the Premier, Navitimer, and Chronomat are equipped with a new perpetual calendar movement from the brand.
CollectionsAug 30, 2024
Piece of the Week: K. Brunini Jewels’ Butterfly RingFly away with designer Katey Brunini’s butterfly ring, as its spring-loaded wings flutter above your fingers.
MajorsAug 29, 2024
Brilliant Earth Promotes Two Executives to C-Suite RolesThe jewelry retailer has a new chief brand officer and chief operations officer.
MajorsAug 29, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New YorkIts next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.
SourcingAug 29, 2024
Lotus Gemology Publishes Book on Jade History“Broken Bangle: The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature” is an in-depth look at the evolution of jade terminology.
SourcingAug 29, 2024
De Beers Looks to India to Boost Demand for Natural Diamonds It is partnering with retailer Tanishq on educating salespeople, shaping the in-store experience, and a “360-degree” marketing campaign.
SurveysAug 28, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rises in August Despite Labor Market WorriesInflation remained a top concern among survey-takers who included write-in responses.
TechnologyAug 28, 2024
Verizon Throws Its Hat in the Ring on Smart Rings The wireless carrier is now stocking the Ultrahuman Ring Air in select U.S. stores.
CollectionsAug 28, 2024
Pamela Love’s ‘Jardin’ Collection Is Filled With Lush Green EmeraldsIn a collaboration with Muzo, Pamela Love hand-selected each Colombian emerald for eight one-of-a-kind pieces.
MajorsAug 28, 2024
Stuller Named ‘Great Place to Work’The certification is based on employee responses about their experience working at a company.
Policies & IssuesAug 27, 2024
US to Allow Import of ‘Legacy’ Diamonds From RussiaOFAC has issued two licenses addressing the issue, one for diamond-set jewelry and one for loose diamonds.
GradingAug 27, 2024
IGI Files for IPO in IndiaThe gemological lab is looking to raise up to $477 million.
Events & AwardsAug 27, 2024
Here Are the Winners of the 2024 CASE AwardsThe annual jewelry design competition celebrates creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
MajorsAug 27, 2024
David Yurman Opens Store in Columbus, OhioThe boutique is in Easton Town Center’s newly renovated fashion district.
