FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
MajorsJan 05, 2022
Remembering Assael President and CEO Christina Lang Assael
Assael, who died last month at 75, took the pearl and coral company in new directions.
Christina Lang Assael, who had headed fine pearl and coral company Assael since 2011, died in December at the age of 75.
New York—Christina Lang Assael, the head of Assael and an animal lover who championed “responsible sourcing” before it became a buzzword, died Dec. 21 at her home in Millbrook, New York following a serious illness.
She was 75.
Lang Assael was born in Karlshamn, Sweden on June 15, 1946 to Elsa Charlotta and Gosta Robert Lang.
After receiving an international baccalaureate in modern languages, she traveled abroad in 1968 to kick off a 13-year career as a model and commercial actress in London, Paris, and New York.
Following that, she entered the New York art world with a role at Sotheby’s, serving as a liaison to the auction house’s top clients while also earning a certificate of interior design before starting her own business as a private advisor.
It was while at Sotheby’s that Christina first heard the name Salvador Assael, who became known as the “pearl king,” after selling the first strand of fine natural color black Tahitian pearls at Harry Winston in 1978.
She later met and fell in love with Salvador. The two married in 1991 and traveled the world together to acquire the finest pearls and work with U.S. jewelry retailers to bring them to consumers.
In 1993, Assael Inc. set the world record price for a gem pearl strand sold at auction—$2.3 million.
Christina took over the company when Salvador died in 2011.
She continued to build Assael, steering it in new directions, like innovative pearl jewelry designs and adding new categories to its offerings, including precious coral.
A staunch environmentalist, Christina put responsible sourcing at the core of the company’s ethos, wanting to ensure no harm came to the oceans from which it derived its jewels.
She also served on the Coral Commission of CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation.
Christina fought passionately for and supported many other causes close to her heart, including the Sierra Club, the Duchess Land Conservancy, and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Study.
Assael also donated 10 percent of all pearl strand sales to WWF Australia in early 2020 to help with animal rescue and rehabilitation following the massive bush fires that devastated the ecosystem.
She was a lover of animals who regularly supported the ASPCA and kept horses, donkeys, sheep, cows, and chickens at her home for many years in addition to always having a dog.
Christina served on the boards of the American-Scandinavian Foundation, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Foreign Policy Association, Indian Mountain School, Natural Resources Defense Council, and World Childhood Foundation, among many others.
She is survived by children Sophia and Robert Lang Assael; close family friend Edward Opoku; sister Pia Lang; stepdaughter Arlette Assael; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A memorial tribute and time for remembrances to celebrate her life will be announced later.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in her honor to Ocean Conservancy.
She was 75.
Lang Assael was born in Karlshamn, Sweden on June 15, 1946 to Elsa Charlotta and Gosta Robert Lang.
After receiving an international baccalaureate in modern languages, she traveled abroad in 1968 to kick off a 13-year career as a model and commercial actress in London, Paris, and New York.
Following that, she entered the New York art world with a role at Sotheby’s, serving as a liaison to the auction house’s top clients while also earning a certificate of interior design before starting her own business as a private advisor.
It was while at Sotheby’s that Christina first heard the name Salvador Assael, who became known as the “pearl king,” after selling the first strand of fine natural color black Tahitian pearls at Harry Winston in 1978.
She later met and fell in love with Salvador. The two married in 1991 and traveled the world together to acquire the finest pearls and work with U.S. jewelry retailers to bring them to consumers.
In 1993, Assael Inc. set the world record price for a gem pearl strand sold at auction—$2.3 million.
Christina took over the company when Salvador died in 2011.
She continued to build Assael, steering it in new directions, like innovative pearl jewelry designs and adding new categories to its offerings, including precious coral.
A staunch environmentalist, Christina put responsible sourcing at the core of the company’s ethos, wanting to ensure no harm came to the oceans from which it derived its jewels.
She also served on the Coral Commission of CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation.
Christina fought passionately for and supported many other causes close to her heart, including the Sierra Club, the Duchess Land Conservancy, and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Study.
Assael also donated 10 percent of all pearl strand sales to WWF Australia in early 2020 to help with animal rescue and rehabilitation following the massive bush fires that devastated the ecosystem.
She was a lover of animals who regularly supported the ASPCA and kept horses, donkeys, sheep, cows, and chickens at her home for many years in addition to always having a dog.
Christina served on the boards of the American-Scandinavian Foundation, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Foreign Policy Association, Indian Mountain School, Natural Resources Defense Council, and World Childhood Foundation, among many others.
She is survived by children Sophia and Robert Lang Assael; close family friend Edward Opoku; sister Pia Lang; stepdaughter Arlette Assael; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
A memorial tribute and time for remembrances to celebrate her life will be announced later.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in her honor to Ocean Conservancy.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
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.
