Editors

What I’d Like to Find Underneath My Christmas Tree

EditorsDec 09, 2020

What I’d Like to Find Underneath My Christmas Tree

In a nod to a top trend in 2020 and to end the year on a happy note, Senior Editor, Gemstones Brecken Branstrator fills up her wish list with rainbow jewels.

20201209_10X_Wish_list_header.jpg
At the top of Senior Editor, Gemstones Brecken Branstrator’s jewelry wish list for the holidays is this cabochon gemstone bracelet from Harwell Godfrey.
The idea of creating a “jewelry wish list” story is one that fills me with both glee and dread, but the latter only because my initial thought is, how will I ever narrow it down? 

This year also presented an interesting obstacle in that, after Tucson, I didn’t see any jewelry in person due to COVID-19. That meant trying to remember the favorites of what I had been emailed or seen scrolling through Instagram.

And then I realized I had likely already created my wish list through that little thing called the screenshot. 

Sure enough, after going in to my phone’s camera roll, where there was usually photo after photo of jewelry taken during work travel or events, there were many screenshots, presenting me with what I saw as a curated selection of what I liked enough as I was scrolling social media to push those little buttons and save forever. 

As I was looking through them, a trend quickly popped up in my selections, one that has also run through jewelry overall of late: rainbow gemstones. 

As a person who struggles with picking one colored stone over another, it makes a lot of sense I’d be into the pieces that allow me to have all of them. Plus, it’s 2020 after all, and that requires some wearable happiness.

So, in the spirit of spreading that joy through this blog, here is my (non-exhaustive, of course) wish list in the form of my favorite rainbow jewels from 2020. 

Allow me to start with the piece I think I am currently lusting for most.

To be fair, I am in love with practically every piece Lauren Harwell Godfrey makes for her eponymous brand. I wore a few jewels to Gem Awards this year, and don’t tell Lauren, but I came pretty close to just running away with everything I borrowed and never coming back.

But the Harwell Godfrey cabochon bracelet in the post above is beyond everything else for me. It’s so gemmy, my heart can’t take it. It’s big, the colors are beautiful, and it makes me so happy.

The piece features aquamarine, tanzanite, amethyst, pink tourmaline, mandarin garnet and yellow beryl as well as diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold; it retails for $25,000 at Twist

The next two choices probably aren’t that surprising since both brands’ ethos are wrapped in color.

Rainbow jewelry is a signature for Robinson Pelham, and I am over the moon for the piece created for Muzo’s latest collaboration with designers using faceted emeralds from its mine. The variety of colored gems combined with the structure and shape of the earrings would have me wearing these “Stralle” earrings seen above year-round.

They’re set with Muzo emeralds, multicolored sapphires and tsavorite garnet in 18-karat yellow gold ($38,940). 

And of course, what would a colorful wish list be without the inclusion of Jane Taylor Jewelry?

I love that the brand’s “Cirque” cuffs are loaded with color. Channel-setting the gems and keeping their size conservative makes them everyday wearable, alone or in a stack. 

The cuffs are made in 14-karat yellow gold with red garnet, citrine, yellow beryl, green tourmaline, blue topaz, iolite, and amethyst ($5,720). 

Featherstone Design is a great addition to any wish list because you know, with versatility as a cornerstone of the brand, that you’re getting more than meets the eye.

At the top of my general jewelry wish list right now is a pair of hoops set with stones all the way around—an updated look to a jewelry staple.

There are a lot of great gem-set hoops out there right now, but this pair from designer Deirdre Featherstone, with its rainbow gems all perfectly in order, checks off all my boxes, plus more—they can also be worn with enhancers, allowing for an extra drop to be attached.

(Visit the brand’s Instagram account to see an example of what that looks like.) 

These stunners are set with diamond, sapphire, spessartite garnet, tanzanite, Paraiba tourmaline, indigo tourmaline, champagne garnet, ruby, blue zircon, tsavorite garnet and spinel, all in platinum (price available upon request). 

Inspired by Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff’s inclusion of the pieces she’d get if she won the lottery—because what’s a wish list without those unattainable-yet-still-so-lustworthy pieces—I’ve included one of my favorite high jewels I’ve covered this year.

The necklace comes from Pomellato’s first high jewelry collection, launched this summer

Using 50 different gemstone varieties, the new collection is a color lover’s dream. 

The pièce de résistance is the jewel pictured above, the “Gourmette Caméléon” choker, which features 29 gold links set with a gradation of colored gemstones—from various multicolored sapphires to emeralds, tourmalines, spinel, tsavorite and other garnets, rubies, tanzanite, aquamarine, topaz and diamonds, perfectly arranged according to 27 color nuances.

Nearly 200 hours of work went into the piece (its price is available upon request), and it’s pure perfection, if I do say so myself. 
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Brilliant Earth Jolie Mosaics engagement ring
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales Rise

The company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.

Jewellers for Hope charity event
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of Fundraising

The organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.

Rahaminov Diamonds Emerald-Cut Diamond Bezel Bangle
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel Bangle

The brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

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

Black and white photo of Tony Bennett near a microphone
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony Bennett

The first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Sapphire page in Chatham’s “Ultimate Lab-Grown Catalog”
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown Gemstones

The catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.

Rembrandt Blue Jay, Hummingbird, Cardinal Bird Charms
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird Charms

The company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Shipping containers on a ship
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says

An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Again

The jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.

Smith & Son Jewelers storefront Springfield Massachusetts
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location

Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.

Zahn-Z Beluga Spout Grey Spinel Ring and Beluga Spout Mandarin Garnet Ring
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ Collection

Designer Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.

Paola De Luca presenting Trendbook 2026+ at Vicenzaoro
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+

She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.

Omar Roy mugshot
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami Jeweler

Omar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.

Mignon Faget Beyond Katrina Pendant and Beyond Katrina Pin
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

The New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of Coverage

Lilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.

Jewelers of America Logo
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship Winners

The organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.

2026 Gem Awards logo
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging Designers

The winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.

Marlo Laz peridot and diamond Alexandra earrings
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright Baubles

As summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.

Surveillance image of Watch King robbery suspect
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in Queens

Moshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.

Xavier Dibbrell
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities Manager

Xavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.

Signet Jewelers logo
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet Jewelers

The addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.

Mike Alexander
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President

The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.

 Gemfields rough rubies
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1

The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.

Hernsdorf Tears of Aphrodite Necklace
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ Necklace

The necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.

Stock image of a polished diamonds being held by tweezers
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss

The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.

Lindsey Scoggins Studio convertible flower earrings
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award Winners

Jewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy