EditorsJul 14, 2022
In ‘The Radiance,’ 13 Talented Designers Offer Distinctive Points of ViewIndependentsAug 08, 2022
Gemist, NDC to Offer Custom Pieces by BIPOC Designers
Dorian Webb, one of the designers in the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative, will be the first to work with Gemist.
Dorian Webb is one of the designers who is a part of the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative, an initiative of the Natural Diamond Council and designer Lorraine Schwartz aimed at creating a more equitable fine jewelry industry. She will be the first of several BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) designers to offer customizable jewelry via Gemist.
Los Angeles—Jewelry e-tailer Gemist is partnering with the Natural Diamond Council on a new custom design experience.
The company specializes in “try-and-buy” technology, allowing customers to create a custom jewelry design on its website and receive a free replica of the piece, letting them try it on and wear it before completing the purchase.
Gemist will lend the custom design element of its technology, and later the try-and-buy aspect, to the designers of the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative (EDDI), a project by the Natural Diamond Council and designer Lorraine Schwartz aimed at creating a more equitable fine jewelry industry.
The initiative, now in its second round, offers $1 million of diamond credit to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) designers, $20,000 per designer.
“Our goal is to amplify the artistic vision of those incredible BIPOC designers by making their pieces customizable by jewelry lovers everywhere through Gemist’s interactive customization platform,” said Gemist.
The try-on at home aspect of Gemist’s technology will also be made available as the partnership grows, said Gemist.
Jewelry designer Dorian Webb, a member of the inaugural group of the EDDI, will be the first to work with Gemist.
Webb is an award-winning designer and an active member of the art world.
Webb is an award-winning designer and an active member of the art world.
Here, the 18-karat gold “Trellis Dome” ring is imagined in various metals set with diamonds or gemstones.
A pair of Dorian Webb studs in different metals, set with diamonds or gemstones
She developed a love of Venetian glass blowing during a semester abroad as a junior at Yale University studying architecture. The experience has inspired her work and given her an appreciation for the power of handcrafted objects.
Webb is a board member of the Yale Alumni Arts League and is on the board of directors for the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco.
“Dorian has chosen multiple unique designs for this partnership; beautiful exclusive variations of her dome ring and trellis earrings will be accompanied by the Gemist design experience where consumers can choose their own style, shapes, stone, and metal types,” said Gemist.
The partnership with Dorian Webb, available via the Gemist website, begins Aug. 11.
A new EDDI designer is set to be announced every four to eight weeks, with Malyia McNaughton of Made by Malyia up next.
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsJul 26, 2024
Diamonds Direct Opens Store in AtlantaIt’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ EarringsCommemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest StateEditor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price StabilityAs the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
SourcingJul 25, 2024
De Beers’ H1 Revenue Falls 21% in ‘Weak’ MarketLab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
FinancialsJul 25, 2024
Boucheron, Pomellato Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2 The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
MajorsJul 25, 2024
Shane Co. Partners With Kids In Need Foundation to Donate 7,200 BackpacksThe fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
FinancialsJul 24, 2024
LVMH’s First-Half Jewelry, Watch Sales Dip 5%Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High JewelryThe Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance ProviderUnion Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship WinnerLos Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
SourcingJul 23, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 15% in Q2The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ CampaignThe ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
Policies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant WinnersThe grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With CustomerGhazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJCThe organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEORentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor BoutiqueThe 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ NecklaceDance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
New Etsy Campaign Prioritizes Creators Amid BacklashSellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
Swarovski Names Ariana Grande as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe celebrity will star in Swarovski’s holiday campaign.
