The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
Jewelry Designer and Artist Alfred Durante Dies
He designed for European and Hollywood royalty at Cartier.

He was 84.
Durante was born and raised in New York to a father who was a painter and a mother who was a milliner. Early on, his artistic talent was apparent and nurtured.
“Their fine examples instilled a love of art, design, and the creative process in me, and their support led to my acceptance at the prestigious Art and Design School in New York,” the designer wrote on his website.
It was at the school that his teachers selected him out of all the students to interview at Cartier.
He interviewed with Claude Cartier, sketching a floral brooch on the spot. Cartier and his team discussed the work in French as Durante sat in apprehension.
“Clearly, they must have been impressed with my attention to detail and imaginative jewelry creation, as I was personally invited to serve an apprenticeship at Cartier by Claude Cartier,” he wrote.
He described his rendering process as such: “I used to joke that I was like a visual stenographer, capturing the thoughts of a person and quickly turning them into finished sketches.”
After school, Durante would rush to Cartier for his apprenticeship to hone his rendering and designing skills, which served as the foundation for his long career in jewelry.
It was the 1950s, and Hollywood glamour was at its height. Durante had many chances to contribute to it as he transitioned into a career at Cartier, with Claude Cartier guaranteeing him a position for life.
Durante would meet in a private salon with famous and important clients, turning their visions into jewelry designs that could be properly executed in the workshop, relying on his knack for “visual stenography” to interpret their desires.
“I was very attentive when listening to clients, trying to understand who they were, what they were looking for or what they wanted to project,” he wrote.
Some of his most famous works include the 60-carat diamond ring Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor, the redesign of the Mary Queen of Scots “La Peregrina” pearl necklace, Grace Kelly’s engagement ring and wedding band, and pieces for the 1974 version of “The Great Gatsby.”
He designed for European royalty and Hollywood icons like Marilyn Monroe.
“In my mind,” he wrote, “jewelry was not meant to simply be an accessory. It should be a star on its own and stand out and make a statement.”
Durante worked at Cartier for 28 years, ultimately serving as vice president of design and production.
He went on to work in other mediums throughout his life, creating fashion apparel accessories, a line of fashion dolls, limited edition collectibles, fine porcelain and crystal, flatware, and one-of-a-kind gift items. He even created the original Golden Globe award.
He is survived by his husband William Ryan; his brother Eugene Durante; nephews Alfred Durante (wife Jeanne), Ronald A. Durante Jr., Eugene Durante, and James Durante; niece Christina Jean Durante; great-nephew Ronald A. Durante III; and great-nieces Alexandra Durante and Celine Jolie Fremed.
He is predeceased by his brother Ronald A. Durante and parents Alfred and Jean Durante.
According to his obituary, a private service will be held in his honor in New York City.
Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.
The Latest

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

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

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.


The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.

They discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.