Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Remembering Assael President and CEO Christina Lang Assael
Assael, who died last month at 75, took the pearl and coral company in new directions.

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.
The Latest

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

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

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.


While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

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

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.