MajorsJul 15, 2021
New YouTube Docuseries Explores Hip-Hop Jewelry WorldMajorsSep 29, 2021
PBS’s ‘Craft in America’ Creates an Episode About Jewelry
Airing on broadcast TV in December, it explores the history, artistry, and impact of personal adornment.
PHOTO Jesse Monongya is an award-winning master Navajo/Hopi jeweler in Scottsdale, Arizona.
PHOTO Monongya is best known for his pieces that feature night sky designs inlaid into a bear shape, as seen on this pendant, symbolizing strength and power.
Los Angeles—Craft in America, the award-winning series from PBS that explores the country’s creative spirit through the tradition of handmaking, will soon air an episode focusing on jewelry.
“Jewelry” will tell the stories of jeweler Tom Herman; artist Harriete Estel Berman, who creates jewels with recycled materials; the legacy of modernist jeweler Art Smith; nature-inspired artist Gabrielle Gould; and Navajo/Hopi master jeweler Jesse Monongya.
Art Smith’s story (1917-1982), for example, is brought to life by artist Joyce J. Scott, photographer Michael Fields, art historian Leslie King-Hammond, and National Museum of African American History and Culture curator Joanne Hyppolite.
Smith’s avant-garde creations redefined modernism. He was known for making jewelry influenced by biomorphism—design meant to evoke nature and living organisms—and Surrealism, creating pieces dynamic in both style and form.
He trained at Cooper Union in New York City and sold his jewels at his store in Greenwich Village from 1946 to 1979. Smith’s work was featured in museums around the world, and he worked with some of America’s most prominent Black creatives.
“Jewelry” will tell the stories of jeweler Tom Herman; artist Harriete Estel Berman, who creates jewels with recycled materials; the legacy of modernist jeweler Art Smith; nature-inspired artist Gabrielle Gould; and Navajo/Hopi master jeweler Jesse Monongya.
Art Smith’s story (1917-1982), for example, is brought to life by artist Joyce J. Scott, photographer Michael Fields, art historian Leslie King-Hammond, and National Museum of African American History and Culture curator Joanne Hyppolite.
Smith’s avant-garde creations redefined modernism. He was known for making jewelry influenced by biomorphism—design meant to evoke nature and living organisms—and Surrealism, creating pieces dynamic in both style and form.
He trained at Cooper Union in New York City and sold his jewels at his store in Greenwich Village from 1946 to 1979. Smith’s work was featured in museums around the world, and he worked with some of America’s most prominent Black creatives.
Designer Gabrielle Gould makes her jewelry by hand in St. Augustine, Florida, featuring subjects such as animals and nature informed by her experience living in coastal Florida.
Gould works with natural objects she finds, such as feathers and shells, as seen in these sculptural feather brooches.
The episode will also include a visit to Harriete Estel Berman’s studio in San Mateo, California.
The creative uses her jewelry to make statements about women’s roles and environmental sustainability, working with recycled materials to create pieces that challenge societal values.
In addition to the artists and their creations, “Jewelry” will highlight places important to the celebration of the category—Arizona’s Heard Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine—as well as Ornament Magazine and the family team behind it.
“Jewelry” will air on broadcast PBS on Dec. 10 (check local listings for specific time). The broadcaster will also give it an early digital release on the PBS Video App and its websites on Nov. 4.
Work by the featured artists also will go on display at the Craft in America Center in Los Angeles from Dec. 11 to March 19, 2022.
“Craft in America” has produced 27 episodes since 2007, from topics like “Quilts” and “Threads” to “Democracy,” “Identity,” and “Storytellers.”
Several of those previous episodes also briefly touched on jewelry, including “Messages,” with a focus on using craft to tell a story, which featured New Orleans-based jeweler and sculptor Thomas Mann, and “Industry,” which highlighted the connection between consumer and maker, and spotlighted New York City jewelry artist Shane Yamane.
More on Majors
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJan 26, 2023
JA New York Spring Brings the Industry TogetherFor over 100 years, JA New York has played an integral role in facilitating the evolution of our industry, while also honoring past traditions.
TrendsJan 26, 2023
At Vicenzaoro, Paola De Luca Gazes Into Jewelry’s FutureThe trend forecaster and her guests explored unconventional jewelry designs, NFTs, AI art, and more during her Trendvision presentation.
CollectionsJan 26, 2023
NDC and Lorraine Schwartz Announce New ‘EDDI’ ClassThe Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative provides diamond credit and mentorship to young brands helmed by BIPOC designers.
Brought to you by
Bringing Over 130 Years of Diamond Expertise to Modern GradingDe Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.
IndependentsJan 26, 2023
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Set to Open 10th StoreIt will be located in San Antonio’s Alamo Quarry Market and will be Lee Michaels’ third location in the city.
Weekly QuizJan 26, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Policies & IssuesJan 26, 2023
Diamonds Do Good Names 10 to Board of DirectorsStephanie Gottlieb, Jewelers Mutual’s Mike Alexander, and Craig Rottenberg of Long’s Jewelers are among the new board members.
WatchesJan 25, 2023
These Were 2022’s Top-Selling Watch Brands, Chrono24 SaysRolex remained No. 1 while a brand known for its pilot watches slipped into the No. 5 spot.
Brought to you by
De Beers Institute of Diamonds Expands to Offer Education De Beers is sharing over 130 years of experience and expertise through the De Beers Institute of Diamonds with a selection of courses.
Events & AwardsJan 25, 2023
Couture DAC Accepting Applications for Mentorship ProgramJewelry designers have until early February to apply to take part in Couture's Diversity Action Council program.
CollectionsJan 25, 2023
Stephanie Gottlieb Announces First President, CCO HireMorgan P. Richardson joins from La Perla.
Policies & IssuesJan 25, 2023
PGI’s New Portal Wants to Teach You About PlatinumThe new portal will share information on responsible platinum sourcing and how it’s used beyond jewelry.
SourcingJan 24, 2023
Tiffany Buys 35 of the Last Diamonds Recovered From Argyle Purchased directly from Rio Tinto, the collection consists of pinks, purples and one red, none larger than 1.52 carats.
ColumnistsJan 24, 2023
On Data: Here’s How Independent Jewelers Did in 2022 Sherry Smith breaks down retailers’ performance last year, including how natural diamonds fared vs. lab-grown.
GradingJan 24, 2023
GIA and AGS Launch Diamond Light Performance Supplement ReportThe AGS Ideal Report by GIA is a digital-only addition to GIA diamond reports.
EditorsJan 23, 2023
Designers to Watch in 2023: Aurelia DemarkThe designer finds the modernity in classic motifs and family heirloom jewels.
Policies & IssuesJan 23, 2023
Melanie Grant Named Executive Director of RJC She has more than 20 years’ experience in watches and jewelry, and says sustainability is the “greatest single issue” facing the industry.
Policies & IssuesJan 23, 2023
AGTA Forms Committee to Standardize Industry ‘Sustainability’ TermsIts focus are words like “sustainability,” “ethics,” and “responsible sourcing.”
IndependentsJan 23, 2023
10 Jewelry News Stories You Might Have MissedAnother “Designer to Watch” and Kim Kardashian’s auction purchase were among our most-read stories.
MajorsJan 20, 2023
Quality Gold Acquires Herco Herco President Reuven Itelman is retiring and selling the company, which will relocate to Ohio from California.
Lab-GrownJan 20, 2023
Siobhán Duffy Promoted to Chief Executive of Element Six She was previously the executive director of sales and marketing for the De Beers Group-owned company.
TrendsJan 20, 2023
Piece of the Week: Loquet London’s Lunar New Year CharmIt’s from a new collection of charms designed to go in the brand’s signature lockets.
IndependentsJan 20, 2023
Edge Retail Academy Announces Annual Award WinnerLonnie Iannazzo of Vincent Anthony Jewelers is the 2022 William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award recipient.
Lab-GrownJan 19, 2023
GIA Rolls Out Less Expensive Report for Lab-Grown DiamondsThe revised Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report-Dossier still includes the four Cs but doesn’t list growth method or post-growth treatments.
SurveysJan 19, 2023
Inflation, Rising Interest Rates Put a Damper on Holiday SalesHoliday sales fell short of the National Retail Federation’s expectations, rising only 5 percent year-over-year.
AuctionsJan 19, 2023
Kim Kardashian Bought Princess Diana’s Amethyst CrossThe businesswoman and reality TV star paid nearly $200,000 for the “Attallah Cross.”
MajorsJan 19, 2023
Signet Names New Jared President as Executive Shuffle ContinuesLuxury retail veteran Claudia Cividino has stepped into the role.
EditorsJan 18, 2023
Designers to Watch in 2023: DyneDesigner Sarah Narici has created the most compelling jewelry personalization in recent years, writes Senior Editor Ashley Davis.
