CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
EditorsOct 23, 2020
A DeVotion to Voting, Expressed Via Jewelry
New York-based designer Jules Kim wants people to dedicate themselves to activism beyond Nov. 3.
The new “DeVote” capsule collection from Jules Kim of Bijules is a creative take on voting jewelry and is available in sterling silver or 14-karat gold.
A few weeks ago, I opened an email from New York City-based jewelry designer Jules Kim about the launch of her new collection, “DeVote,” which I read as “de-vote.”
What is this, I thought to myself? What does de-vote mean? Is this a new social movement that I’m unaware of?
Then I started reading through the attachment and I got it.
It’s “devote,” as in: Devote yourself to voting in the uber-important, upcoming election on Nov. 3 but, also, dedicate yourself to staying involved and voting in subsequent elections after that date.
“There’s something faith-based about being devoted to something better that I really wanted to put into physical form and push out into the world,” Kim explained when I caught up with her on the phone last week.
But for Kim, who counts innovation as one of the three pillars of her brand, a piece of jewelry that reads simply “vote,” is too literal.
So she chose another, similar word that’s been on her mind a lot about lately—devote, which contains the word “vote” but also carries with it the weight of a long-term commitment. It reminds people to vote on Nov. 3, yes, but also to make a pledge to keep voting.
“That’s what devotion is. You give yourself to something for the rest of your life,” Kim said. “If we don’t devote ourselves to [democracy], it will come undone.”
The designer combined her unique take on the prompt to participate in our democracy and framed it with classic elements to create a four-piece capsule collection.
It consists of two different necklaces, a pair of earrings and a ring, all in nameplate style—a “super New York” style, she says, with a rich and interesting history—and the “V” in DeVote is reminiscent of the checkmarks people once used to mark their ballots, pre-punch cards and electronic voting.
She launched the collection in collaboration with the rebirth of The Wide Awakes, a decentralized group of artists looking to get out the vote, spread joy through art, and march and organize for a better future.
A 14-karat yellow gold DeVote necklace was one of the rewards in The Wide Awakes’ Kickstarter campaign, which reached its goal.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
consumers of all ages, but is the kind of style that could easily catch on among younger consumers. As Kim put it: “Michelle Obama buys the vote necklace, but her daughters buy the DeVote necklace.”
Kim designed DeVote with people of all ages in mind, but she can see having particular appeal for Gen Z consumers.
They are: diverse, politically active (Greta Thunberg, for example, is a Gen Zer), motivated to spend money with brands that back causes they care about, and good at finding what they like online, which is exactly where DeVote lives, for now.
The capsule collection is for sale on the Bijules website, but the designer wants to offer it for wholesale to independent jewelers as well as larger retailers.
She believes that going forward, it will be “customary” for collections to have a charitable component.
Consumerism won’t be just about a purchase, an “I buy, I get” transaction, but about consumers using their purchasing power to make a broader impact.
It’s a shift, she said, the industry should get on board with now and it should enlist a more diverse group of independent designers to help.
“The more product we put out there with meaning, the better our industry will be,” Kim said.
All DeVote jewelry is handmade in New York City by Black, indigenous and people of color, and is available in sterling silver or 14-karat white or yellow gold. Retail prices range from $265 to $975.
For more information, email sales@bijulesnyc.com.
Kim designed DeVote with people of all ages in mind, but she can see having particular appeal for Gen Z consumers.
They are: diverse, politically active (Greta Thunberg, for example, is a Gen Zer), motivated to spend money with brands that back causes they care about, and good at finding what they like online, which is exactly where DeVote lives, for now.
The capsule collection is for sale on the Bijules website, but the designer wants to offer it for wholesale to independent jewelers as well as larger retailers.
She believes that going forward, it will be “customary” for collections to have a charitable component.
Consumerism won’t be just about a purchase, an “I buy, I get” transaction, but about consumers using their purchasing power to make a broader impact.
It’s a shift, she said, the industry should get on board with now and it should enlist a more diverse group of independent designers to help.
“The more product we put out there with meaning, the better our industry will be,” Kim said.
All DeVote jewelry is handmade in New York City by Black, indigenous and people of color, and is available in sterling silver or 14-karat white or yellow gold. Retail prices range from $265 to $975.
For more information, email sales@bijulesnyc.com.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
