Events & AwardsAug 29, 2022
AGTA GemFair Las Vegas Will Be 4 Times as Big Next YearEditorsAug 30, 2022
Two Jewelry Trade Shows in Two Days
Associate Editor Lenore Fedow shares her experiences at JA New York and Melee the Show alongside her favorite jewels.
Associate Editor Lenore Fedow recounts her experiences at JA New York and Melee the Show.
We have a saying at National Jeweler: “Jewelry never sleeps.”
We repeat this phrase to one another every time a calm day turns into a news-filled frenzy.
I recently had a week that really drove that phrase home, packed with two trade shows, two earnings reports, putting the finishing touches on my story for our next print issue, and moderating a panel, on top of all the other day-to-day work that has to be done.
“You write exclusively about jewelry five days a week?,” non-industry people ask me.
We have a full-time four-person team and there still isn’t enough bandwidth to share all the news, I tell them.
But it’s a fun job, and some days you just have to roll with the punches.
So, earlier this month, I put on a brave face and traversed my way through two trade shows, JA New York and Melee the Show, in a mere 48 hours.
I suffered through meeting incredibly talented designers and trying on some of the most beautiful, finely crafted jewels I’ve ever seen.
It’s a grueling life, but somebody has to do it.
First stop: JA New York
JA New York was the first jewelry trade show I ever attended, so I have a soft spot for the show.
The JA New York Summer Show was held Aug. 14-16 at New York City’s Javits Center.
The show reminds me of when I was a fresh-faced newbie and the whole show floor was a playground, before terms like “sustainability” and “ethical sourcing” were in my vocabulary.
Now, I look at jewelry with a better-informed eye, but the thrill is still there. Just when I think I’ve seen the most beautiful piece of jewelry there is, something else surprises me.
This year, in addition to playing jewelry dress-up, I was moderating an afternoon panel on retail technology trends as part of the show’s education initiative, sponsored by National Jeweler’s parent company Jewelers of America.
I’d never moderated a live panel before, but I had two fantastic guests, Jennifer Shaheen of Technology Therapy Group and Alexandra Hevia Schlindwein of Kiefer Jewelers, and that makes all the difference.
We repeat this phrase to one another every time a calm day turns into a news-filled frenzy.
I recently had a week that really drove that phrase home, packed with two trade shows, two earnings reports, putting the finishing touches on my story for our next print issue, and moderating a panel, on top of all the other day-to-day work that has to be done.
“You write exclusively about jewelry five days a week?,” non-industry people ask me.
We have a full-time four-person team and there still isn’t enough bandwidth to share all the news, I tell them.
But it’s a fun job, and some days you just have to roll with the punches.
So, earlier this month, I put on a brave face and traversed my way through two trade shows, JA New York and Melee the Show, in a mere 48 hours.
I suffered through meeting incredibly talented designers and trying on some of the most beautiful, finely crafted jewels I’ve ever seen.
It’s a grueling life, but somebody has to do it.
First stop: JA New York
JA New York was the first jewelry trade show I ever attended, so I have a soft spot for the show.
The JA New York Summer Show was held Aug. 14-16 at New York City’s Javits Center.
The show reminds me of when I was a fresh-faced newbie and the whole show floor was a playground, before terms like “sustainability” and “ethical sourcing” were in my vocabulary.
Now, I look at jewelry with a better-informed eye, but the thrill is still there. Just when I think I’ve seen the most beautiful piece of jewelry there is, something else surprises me.
This year, in addition to playing jewelry dress-up, I was moderating an afternoon panel on retail technology trends as part of the show’s education initiative, sponsored by National Jeweler’s parent company Jewelers of America.
I’d never moderated a live panel before, but I had two fantastic guests, Jennifer Shaheen of Technology Therapy Group and Alexandra Hevia Schlindwein of Kiefer Jewelers, and that makes all the difference.
It was one of two all-female panels that day, and the only all-female technology panel Shaheen said she’d ever been on, so that was a nice feeling.
We spoke to a small but interested audience about the latest retail technology trends, like QR codes and NFTs, and how jewelers could incorporate them into their businesses.
Before and after the panel, I spent my time in the New Designer Gallery, a section that has showcased up-and-coming jewelry brands since its founding 45 years ago, helping brands like David Yurman and Alex Sepkus get their start.
This show marked the gallery’s return for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
It showcased six brands: JV Insardi, Kiersten Elizabeth, Nvr Nude, Isabel Alexander, Helannona, and Pracyious Jewels.
The gallery was busy when I attended the show that Monday, but I managed to snag some one-on-one time at a few of the booths.
My first stop was JV Insardi to visit with designer Jen Insardi. A former student of The New School’s Parsons School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology, Insardi has a background in interior design, and her pieces definitely have a sculptural feel.
I tried on JV Insardi’s rose gold pavé “Next Chapter” ring.
The 18-karat rose gold ring is set with champagne diamonds and retails for $24,000.
The brand resonated with attendees and was named the 2022 New Designer Gallery winner.
Next, I visited the Isabel Alexander booth. The Moldova-born designer derives her inspiration from architecture, nature, embroidery, and folklore.
Her pieces feature geometric patterns and bright colored gemstones set in classic styles.
This 14-karat gold reversible medallion necklace is set with diamonds and pink sapphires ($8,500).
A pair of criss-cross black enamel suspender cuff earrings, available in 14- and 18-karat yellow, white or rose gold ($1,300 to $1,700)
My final stop was the Kiersten Elizabeth booth, and the visit reminded me how much a jeweler’s personality plays into how much I like their jewelry.
The designer Kiersten Elizabeth, and her assistant, were incredibly kind and gracious with their time, and the love and excitement they both had for the pieces was palpable.
I’m a huge fan of vintage and antique jewelry and I was immediately drawn to how Elizabeth incorporated influences from different eras, like Edwardian and Art Deco, into her jewels.
The pieces were so clearly a labor of love, down to every last intricate detail.
I was in love with this ring. A 5.39-carat pear-shaped Paraiba tourmaline is surrounded by Ceylon blue sapphires and diamonds ($46,800).
A pair of diamond and tourmaline earrings set in 21-karat yellow gold ($26,000). The drops detach to transform them into studs.
The JA New York show will return to the Javits Center this fall from Oct. 23-25.
Stop Two: Melee the Show
The following day, I headed over to Melee the Show at Chelsea Piers.
It’s a boutique trade show that bills itself as an alternative to the traditional show format, trading a large convention hall for a smaller, more intimate setting.
This was my first time attending this show, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had heard good things.
The show setting was perfect. The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers is surrounded by walls of windows looking out onto the Hudson River, which gives the space a lot of natural light.
I decided to attend Melee after being invited to a press round table.
David Rees of TenThousandThings led a conversation with Purvi Shah, the new head of ethical and sustainable value chains at the De Beers Group, about the diamond supply chain.
Shah touched on a wide range of topics from De Beers’ sustainability efforts and its new Code of Origin program.
In addition to press, there were designers in the audience and they came ready with tough questions, like how to track what’s in packets of melee diamonds.
Shah deftly answered each question, and I got the sense the designers could’ve sat there asking questions for hours.
After the round table, I took some time to walk around and talk with a handful of designers I hadn’t met before.
It was a quieter crowd than the JA show, but it was still busy and there were very few booths that didn’t have someone visiting.
My first stop was Susan Highsmith’s booth. We’ve followed each other on Instagram for a while now, but I’d never gotten to see her jewels in person, and, wow, I was missing out.
She recognized me right away, and we quickly got to talking about her jewelry, trying on ring after ring as I remarked how gorgeous everything was, and I meant it.
My favorite was the below Scorpio signet ring, which is a part of her “Zodiac” collection. I happen to be a Scorpio, but Highsmith said it’s a popular style for the other star signs as well based on the look alone.
A 14-karat yellow gold Scorpio signet ring (price available upon request)
The star of this ring is the zircon center stone, an underappreciated gemstone if there ever was one.
Next stop was Disa Allsopp’s booth.
The London-born, Barbados-raised designer brings the warmth of her home island in the Caribbean to her jewelry, hand-picking bright and beautiful gemstones.
I was a total newcomer to her brand, but she had a citrine ring that called to me.
Citrine is my birthstone and a personal favorite, but I’m also just drawn to its warm colors.
The warmth of the stone paired with the rough texture of the band was bold and fun, and it pained me to hand this ring back.
The London-born, Barbados-raised designer brings the warmth of her home island in the Caribbean to her jewelry, hand-picking bright and beautiful gemstones.
I was a total newcomer to her brand, but she had a citrine ring that called to me.
Citrine is my birthstone and a personal favorite, but I’m also just drawn to its warm colors.
The warmth of the stone paired with the rough texture of the band was bold and fun, and it pained me to hand this ring back.
This ring was a stunner and a testament to Allsopp’s eye for gemstones.
Jewelry designer Disa Allsopp manning her booth at Melee the Show.
After visiting with Allsopp, I took a walk over to the TenThousandThings booth. I’d heard a lot about this brand and I was excited to see their jewels.
It was worth the wait, because that booth was jam-packed with colorful, bold jewels.
One of my favorite pieces was the below cuff that had the look of molten metal onto your wrist.
This melted metal cuff by TenThousandThings revived my love of silver jewelry.
I love silver jewelry, which I’ve come to learn is a polarizing opinion in this industry, but I’m sticking with it.
Another must-see was a one-of-a-kind, hand-cut lapis pyramid ring, seen below.
A lapis pyramid ring by TenThousandThings
The wonderfully exciting thing about jewelry is you think you’ve seen every design there is to see and then, behold, you’re surprised once more.
At this point in the day, I was running on empty, but there was one more booth that caught my eye.
Januka is a Tokyo-based brand founded in 2012 by Jo Nakamura. The brand takes what you know about basic jewelry concepts and flips it on its head.
Several of its pieces have settings that cross over the face of the gemstone or just encase the stone in a perfectly square box rather than in a traditional setting, two techniques I’ve not seen before.
A favorite piece of mine was a slice of lapis ring, that was, at the risk of overusing this word, fun.
This slice of lapis ring by Januka is also available with other gemstones, like amethyst.
Januka’s booth at Melee the Show
The next Melee show will be held Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 in Tucson, just ahead of the gem shows.
Adding two trade shows to my work line-up made for a whirlwind of a week, but one of the best things about my job is getting to meet with designers, to hear their stories, and to see their art in person.
I look forward to seeing what the next round of trade shows has to offer.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Editors
The Latest
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
MajorsApr 15, 2026
Spark Creations’ Randy McKenzie Dies at 72 McKenzie spent 45 years with Spark Creations and is remembered for being kind, dedicated, and hardworking.
WatchesApr 15, 2026
These Are the New Rolex Watches for 2026Rolex focused exclusively on the Oyster Perpetual this year, as the model is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
FinancialsApr 15, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Shines in Q1, Gucci’s Struggle ContinuesThe luxury giant discussed the Middle East conflict and its transformation plans, hinting at a stronger jewelry presence in North America.
SourcingApr 15, 2026
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2026 BoardKalpesh Jhaveri was re-elected as president for a third year.
TechnologyApr 15, 2026
This Jewelry Brand’s Video Series Is Up for a Webby Award“Diamond Divas,” a social media reality series by Shahla Karimi Jewelry, is nominated in the “Best Social: Fashion & Beauty” category.
SourcingApr 14, 2026
De Beers Expands ‘Desert Diamonds’ Beacon Into BridalThe campaign seeks to reignite desire for natural diamond engagement rings by highlighting the “distinct character” of warm-toned diamonds.
