Policies & IssuesMar 02, 2022
When It Comes to Russian Diamonds, Industry Is Watching, WaitingEditorsMar 25, 2022
3 Madeleine Albright Pins the World Needs Right Now
The former diplomat used her brooches to send a message, some of which need to be heard right now, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff writes.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright accepting the Gem Award for Jewelry Style in 2010, an honor she received for her bountiful collection of brooches, which she used to send messages to other heads of state. She died Wednesday at the age of 84.
Madeleine Albright was known for being the first female secretary of state, a woman who co-opted one Bush’s catchphrase, “Read my lips,” for her own diplomatic and accessory needs.
Albright, who died earlier this week at the age of 84, served as secretary of state from 1997 to 2001 and was known as a trailblazer, a skilled diplomat, and an avid pin collector.
She used her accessories to send messages to other heads of state, a practice she detailed in 2009’s “Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box,” a book with an accompanying touring exhibition organized by the Museum of Art and Design in New York.
The following year, she received the Gem Award for Jewelry Style for her lifelong dedication to the brooch.
In introducing Albright at the 2010 Gem Awards, journalist Tina Brown joked that Albright “added the brooch to the arsenal of diplomacy,” as she crashed through the glass ceiling, rising from an aide in President Jimmy Carter’s office, to President Bill Clinton’s ambassador to the United Nations to the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the U.S. government as of 1997.
Having a woman secretary of state “turned out to be such a great idea that we’ve had two other women hold down that job since,” Brown quipped.
Since 2010, another well-accessorized woman, Kamala Harris, has topped Albright, Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton in terms of being the highest-ranking woman ever in the U.S. government, and it took only 232 years to get there.
I was lucky enough to attend the Gem Awards back in 2010, and I had the foresight to stand in line after the ceremony to have my copy of “Read My Pins” autographed by Albright.
In light of all that’s happening in the world right now, I took some time Thursday afternoon to thumb through the book, which, admittedly, I haven’t picked up in years, to pick a few pins that send messages of hope, accountability and courage.
Dove Pin from Leah Rabin
While it seems an obvious choice—the dove is well-known as a symbol of peace—what Albright wrote about this particular pin moved me.
The gold-plated dove, made by Cécile et Jeanne in France, was a gift of the late Leah Rabin, widow of assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Albright wore the pin for an appearance before the National Press Club in August 1997 where she outlined ideas for peace negotiations in the Middle East and her plans for a visit to the region.
Albright, who died earlier this week at the age of 84, served as secretary of state from 1997 to 2001 and was known as a trailblazer, a skilled diplomat, and an avid pin collector.
She used her accessories to send messages to other heads of state, a practice she detailed in 2009’s “Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box,” a book with an accompanying touring exhibition organized by the Museum of Art and Design in New York.
The following year, she received the Gem Award for Jewelry Style for her lifelong dedication to the brooch.
In introducing Albright at the 2010 Gem Awards, journalist Tina Brown joked that Albright “added the brooch to the arsenal of diplomacy,” as she crashed through the glass ceiling, rising from an aide in President Jimmy Carter’s office, to President Bill Clinton’s ambassador to the United Nations to the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the U.S. government as of 1997.
Having a woman secretary of state “turned out to be such a great idea that we’ve had two other women hold down that job since,” Brown quipped.
Since 2010, another well-accessorized woman, Kamala Harris, has topped Albright, Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton in terms of being the highest-ranking woman ever in the U.S. government, and it took only 232 years to get there.
I was lucky enough to attend the Gem Awards back in 2010, and I had the foresight to stand in line after the ceremony to have my copy of “Read My Pins” autographed by Albright.
In light of all that’s happening in the world right now, I took some time Thursday afternoon to thumb through the book, which, admittedly, I haven’t picked up in years, to pick a few pins that send messages of hope, accountability and courage.
Dove Pin from Leah Rabin
While it seems an obvious choice—the dove is well-known as a symbol of peace—what Albright wrote about this particular pin moved me.
The gold-plated dove, made by Cécile et Jeanne in France, was a gift of the late Leah Rabin, widow of assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Albright wore the pin for an appearance before the National Press Club in August 1997 where she outlined ideas for peace negotiations in the Middle East and her plans for a visit to the region.
A few weeks later, Leah Rabin paid a visit to Albright in her hotel room in Israel and gave her a matching necklace featuring a flock of doves along with a note.
As recounted in “Read My Pins,” the note read: “There is a saying: ‘One swallow doesn’t announce the spring’—so maybe one dove needs reinforcements … We need hope, which is so much lost.”
Alright wore the pin again in 1997 when paying her respects to victims of the genocide in Rwanda.
Related stories will be right here …
As recounted in “Read My Pins,” the note read: “There is a saying: ‘One swallow doesn’t announce the spring’—so maybe one dove needs reinforcements … We need hope, which is so much lost.”
Alright wore the pin again in 1997 when paying her respects to victims of the genocide in Rwanda.
The Three Monkeys
“Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil,” is a well-known adage most often depicted by a trio of monkeys covering their ears, mouth and eyes.
But, Albright noted in her book, the true meaning behind them often is lost.
Part of Japanese folklore, the non-hearing, non-speaking and non-seeing monkeys are a reminder about “accepting responsibility for wrongful thoughts and actions”—in other words, not shutting down or turning the other way when you know something is wrong.
Albright bought the pin, which features the monkeys carved in tagua nut sitting on pink-, purple- and orange-colored glass cabochons circled by crystals, in Brussels.
Notably, she first wore it to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in early 2000, a meeting in which she called attention to the human right violations Russian was committing then in Chechnya.
Of meeting Putin, she wrote: “My first impressions of the Russian leader were mixed—he was obviously capable, but his instincts appeared more autocratic than democratic. As the months passed, my early hopes were deflated by Putin’s single-minded pursuit of power.”
Embed from Getty Images
Any Dragonfly Will Do
Albright wrote in “Read My Pins” that when she was a diplomat, she had to carefully consider the symbolism behind animals to various cultures.
Outside of government, however, she was free to pick the creatures she liked, which included one of my favorites, the dragonfly.
Pictured in the slideshow above is an Albright dragonfly featured at the MAD exhibition, one of a half-dozen featured in the book alongside a pretty incredible mosquito pin.
“Known to the English as the ‘devil’s darning needle,’ the [dragonfly] is associated by the Japanese with courage, happiness, and strength,” the caption reads. “Artists find dragonflies fascinating; so do I.”
Rest in peace, Madam Secretary. Thanks for sharing your pins.
More on Editors
The Latest
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
