TrendsFeb 23, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: The 5 Colors Trending in Tucson CollectionsFeb 27, 2023
Leigh Maxwell Captures Camouflage in a Capsule
Designer Jennifer Maxwell spent a year developing a collection that uses a mix of diamonds and gemstones to elevate the pattern.
Jennifer Maxwell, the designer behind jewelry brand Leigh Maxwell, has designed a camouflage-inspired capsule collection that features her signature shapes, including her pavé heart and cross, both pictured here.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa—For some, camouflage calls to mind kids skipping school for the first day of hunting season, dusty pick-up trucks and deer stands—not exactly visions of luxury.
Having grown up in the Midwest, Jennifer Maxwell, the designer behind Leigh Maxwell, gets it. “That’s the Iowa perspective as well; I’m in the middle of deer-hunting country.”
But there are other perspectives too, one of camouflage-as-fashion—which Maxwell says she sees all over Los Angeles, where her jewelry is made—and of appealing to luxury consumers who’ve sought a different sort of life since the onset of the pandemic.
COVID-19, Maxwell noted, caused some people to relocate from crowded urban locations to wide open spaces like Big Sky, Montana, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, bringing more customers to luxury retailers like Belle Cose, which has stores in both places.
Leigh Maxwell does well in both those locations, with Maxwell creating a Teton charm exclusively for Belle Cose that sells “non-stop,” store owner Jane Carter-Getz told Couture.
Inspired by time spent in the national parks out West, Maxwell also has made a couple of hand-carved elk pendants that have sold at both stores.
“For me, [camo] just kind of seemed like a natural leap and I hadn’t seen it done in fine jewelry,” the designer said.
To start, Maxwell leaned into the greens of fall, sourcing gorgeous green sapphires and tourmalines, and then spent a year in a Goldilocks-esque phase of development. She had to try out numerous sizes and patterns for the collection, called simply “Camo,” to get it just right.
If the pattern was too small, it wouldn’t read like camouflage.
When the size was right, there was the matter of balancing texture and color so the pieces were recognizable as camouflage without being too literal.
Having grown up in the Midwest, Jennifer Maxwell, the designer behind Leigh Maxwell, gets it. “That’s the Iowa perspective as well; I’m in the middle of deer-hunting country.”
But there are other perspectives too, one of camouflage-as-fashion—which Maxwell says she sees all over Los Angeles, where her jewelry is made—and of appealing to luxury consumers who’ve sought a different sort of life since the onset of the pandemic.
COVID-19, Maxwell noted, caused some people to relocate from crowded urban locations to wide open spaces like Big Sky, Montana, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, bringing more customers to luxury retailers like Belle Cose, which has stores in both places.
Leigh Maxwell does well in both those locations, with Maxwell creating a Teton charm exclusively for Belle Cose that sells “non-stop,” store owner Jane Carter-Getz told Couture.
Inspired by time spent in the national parks out West, Maxwell also has made a couple of hand-carved elk pendants that have sold at both stores.
“For me, [camo] just kind of seemed like a natural leap and I hadn’t seen it done in fine jewelry,” the designer said.
To start, Maxwell leaned into the greens of fall, sourcing gorgeous green sapphires and tourmalines, and then spent a year in a Goldilocks-esque phase of development. She had to try out numerous sizes and patterns for the collection, called simply “Camo,” to get it just right.
If the pattern was too small, it wouldn’t read like camouflage.
When the size was right, there was the matter of balancing texture and color so the pieces were recognizable as camouflage without being too literal.
The “Camo” large heart pendant in 18-karat satin-finish gold with 1.37 carats of champagne-colored diamonds, 2 carats of gray diamonds, and 1.99 carats of tsavorites ($21,120). As with all Leigh Maxwell hearts, the word “love” is engraved in seven languages on the back.
The Camo cuff in 18-karat yellow gold with satin finish is set with champagne diamonds (0.28 carats), gray diamonds (0.28 carats), and tsavorites (0.53 carats). It retails for $24,440.
These slender 18-karat yellow gold Camo drop earrings are set with champagne-colored diamonds (0.88 carats), gray diamonds (1.1 carats), and 1.65 carats of tsavorites ($16,480).
The Camo collection’s “Amani” pavé ring in 18-karat satin-finished yellow gold features a 0.68-carat rose-cut green sapphire at center with gray diamonds (0.31 carats), champagne diamonds (0.27 carats), and tsavorites (0.29 carats) pavé.
One of the “supporting cast members” for the Camo collection are these one-of-a-kind pinecone earrings made of ebony with 1.21 carats of champagne-colored diamonds set in 18-karat yellow gold ($14,710).
“These pieces are really the perfect pieces to put on with a yummy cashmere sweater,” Jennifer Maxwell said.
“It had to feel right for her,” explained Beth Ann Bonanno of The Gems Project, the luxury brand development agency that represents Maxwell. “I could like it or [someone else] could like it but, as always, it had to connect to the designer.”
Maxwell agreed.
“Camo can be read a lot of different ways by a lot of different people. It had to be set right and the colors had to be right,” she said.
“It was very important to me that it did feel like luxury.”
Accompanying the main stars of the Camo collection—the elegant earrings, slim cuff, and the designer’s signature heart, which is a cornerstone of her brand—are what Maxwell refers to as the “supporting cast members,” the hand-carved acorn pendants and pinecone earrings.
There are also the pieces she created previously that can be interpreted as camo-adjacent, like the elk pendant.
The Leigh Maxwell camo capsule collection soft-launched this fall via a series of trunk shows, making stops in stores including Neiman Marcus, Elizabeth Anthony in Houston, Marissa Collections and GemBox in Boston.
This week, Maxwell and her team will head west from the brand’s headquarters (and her home) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Belle Cose in Big Sky and Jackson Hole to show the Camo collection there for the first time.
In Las Vegas at the Couture show this summer, retailers will have a chance to see, buy and order it for their stores.
More on Collections
The Latest
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
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.
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2025
Instore Show Debuts New Name, Look, and FocusNow called The Instore Jewelry Show, it will include holiday-focused education, interactive workshops, and a window display contest.
