CollectionsJun 27, 2022
This Designer Has Found a New Way to Bring Gemstones to LifeCollectionsJun 28, 2022
Melissa Kaye’s New Collection Doubles the Color
“Lenox” marks the designer’s foray into bespoke jewels and large colored gemstones.
Rings from Melissa Kaye’s new “Lenox” collection, debuted in Las Vegas at the Couture show
New York—In the past few years, Melissa Kaye has been leading the conversation of color in fine jewelry.
Whether formulating enamel in unexpected neon shades or delving into a pastel palette, the New York City-based designer is unafraid to break into new color territory.
Her latest chapter pairs bright, saturated colored gemstones with her signature enamel. By nature, each piece in the new “Lenox” collection is one-of-a-kind, with a thoughtfully selected gem receiving its own enamel halo per the designer’s inclination.
“We’ve had amazing success with our neon collection since its launch in 2019 and continued to expand it to different silhouettes, but there was always the question of, ‘What’s next? What’s the new neon?’” said Kaye.
“I wanted to keep the theme of our punchy color palette but introduce something new, and that is where vibrant large-scale gemstones came into play, adding another pop of color.”
Paraiba-type tourmalines, for example, are bordered by lime green enamel for a tropical tonal look or surrounded with hot pink enamel for unexpected contrast. A pink sapphire might be framed with nearly matching bright pink enamel or juxtaposed with a tennis ball yellow neon.
Kaye follows her instincts when combining shades, creating her own set of rules.
“It was important to me to choose gems that married well with our signature fluorescent enamel,” she explained.
“The ones we chose—vivid pink sapphires and spinel, rubies, and [Paraiba-type] tourmaline—all have a neon quality themselves. Each gemstone was then paired with a complementary enamel bezel, whether it be a shade that created a more monochromatic look or something that had more of a contrasting pop.”
Lenox also marks Kaye’s venture into creating more custom and one-of-a-kind pieces. Though she has a distinctive eye and taste for gemstones, she’s also happy to work with clients’ existing pieces, re-setting gems from family heirlooms, for instance.
“The silhouettes lend themselves very well to customization,” Kaye said.
At launch, the Lenox collection comprises juicy cocktail rings and delicate tennis necklaces with gemstone pendants. The pendants have also been engineered as interchangeable necklace clasps.
“I like to create pieces that have an interesting function, so the enamel and gemstone components on the tennis necklaces are removable clasps that can be switched out, giving clients the opportunity to collect them and change things up based on their mood.”
Rings start at $9,400 and cap off at $28,650, while pendants begin at 16,850 and top off at $28,450. See more on the designer’s website.
Whether formulating enamel in unexpected neon shades or delving into a pastel palette, the New York City-based designer is unafraid to break into new color territory.
Her latest chapter pairs bright, saturated colored gemstones with her signature enamel. By nature, each piece in the new “Lenox” collection is one-of-a-kind, with a thoughtfully selected gem receiving its own enamel halo per the designer’s inclination.
“We’ve had amazing success with our neon collection since its launch in 2019 and continued to expand it to different silhouettes, but there was always the question of, ‘What’s next? What’s the new neon?’” said Kaye.
“I wanted to keep the theme of our punchy color palette but introduce something new, and that is where vibrant large-scale gemstones came into play, adding another pop of color.”
Paraiba-type tourmalines, for example, are bordered by lime green enamel for a tropical tonal look or surrounded with hot pink enamel for unexpected contrast. A pink sapphire might be framed with nearly matching bright pink enamel or juxtaposed with a tennis ball yellow neon.
Kaye follows her instincts when combining shades, creating her own set of rules.
“It was important to me to choose gems that married well with our signature fluorescent enamel,” she explained.
“The ones we chose—vivid pink sapphires and spinel, rubies, and [Paraiba-type] tourmaline—all have a neon quality themselves. Each gemstone was then paired with a complementary enamel bezel, whether it be a shade that created a more monochromatic look or something that had more of a contrasting pop.”
Lenox also marks Kaye’s venture into creating more custom and one-of-a-kind pieces. Though she has a distinctive eye and taste for gemstones, she’s also happy to work with clients’ existing pieces, re-setting gems from family heirlooms, for instance.
“The silhouettes lend themselves very well to customization,” Kaye said.
At launch, the Lenox collection comprises juicy cocktail rings and delicate tennis necklaces with gemstone pendants. The pendants have also been engineered as interchangeable necklace clasps.
“I like to create pieces that have an interesting function, so the enamel and gemstone components on the tennis necklaces are removable clasps that can be switched out, giving clients the opportunity to collect them and change things up based on their mood.”
Rings start at $9,400 and cap off at $28,650, while pendants begin at 16,850 and top off at $28,450. See more on the designer’s website.
From the Lenox collection, this pendant that also functions as a removable necklace clasp is crafted in 18-karat white gold with a Nigerian Paraiba-type 3.49-carat tourmaline ($18,900 for pendant only)
Ring in 18-karat yellow gold with neon orange enamel and 2.18-carat Sri Lankan natural vivid pink sapphire ($14,450)
Pendant in 18-karat yellow gold with 3.06-carat natural vivid pink Burmese sapphire and baby blue enamel ($22,200 for pendant only)
Ring in 18-karat yellow gold with Nigerian Paraiba-type natural tourmaline weighing 2.45 carats and neon pink enamel ($28,650)
Ring in 18-karat yellow gold with natural pink spinel weighing 2.1 carats and neon yellow enamel ($12,700)
Pendant in 18-karat yellow gold with 3.01-carat natural vivid pink Tanzanian spinel and neon pink enamel ($17,800 for pendant only)
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 24, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7CsPaul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on LovePart of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th AnniversaryThe association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event ReturnsThe jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
