MajorsApr 27, 2023
BIJC Seeks Love Stories in Second Annual “Together by Design” Contest Events & AwardsJul 11, 2023
Think You Can Design an Engagement Ring Around This Yellow Diamond?
The Black in Jewelry Coalition is calling for jewelry designers to enter its second annual “Together by Design” competition.
The designer selected to create the ring for the Black in Jewelry Coalition’s second annual “Together by Design” competition will be centering their creation on this 1.44-carat fancy yellow diamond, donated by Nungu Diamonds.
New York—The Black in Jewelry Coalition is calling for jewelry designers to enter its “Together by Design” competition, created to celebrate Black love and jewelry design.
Now in its second year, Together by Design pairs a couple who have a compelling love story—already selected by this year’s panel of judges—with a jewelry designer who can create an engagement ring reflective of their relationship.
This year, designers wishing to enter will need to submit a sketch, CAD drawing or other visual representation of what they would create for the winning couple, incorporating details from their unique story, which is available here.
All design submissions also must incorporate this year’s donated diamond—a 1.44-carat fancy yellow diamond from Nungu Diamonds—as well as platinum, donated by Platinum Guild International USA.
Colored gemstone side stones are optional and, if included in the final design, will be donated by Anza Gems and/or B&B Fine Gems.
Related stories will be right here …
Now in its second year, Together by Design pairs a couple who have a compelling love story—already selected by this year’s panel of judges—with a jewelry designer who can create an engagement ring reflective of their relationship.
This year, designers wishing to enter will need to submit a sketch, CAD drawing or other visual representation of what they would create for the winning couple, incorporating details from their unique story, which is available here.
All design submissions also must incorporate this year’s donated diamond—a 1.44-carat fancy yellow diamond from Nungu Diamonds—as well as platinum, donated by Platinum Guild International USA.
Colored gemstone side stones are optional and, if included in the final design, will be donated by Anza Gems and/or B&B Fine Gems.
Once the winning designer is selected, they will collaborate with the couple to bring the design to life, ensuring it completely reflects their tastes and shared experiences.
For designers unfamiliar with working in platinum, PGI USA has committed to providing resources and support.
The winning designer also will receive $5,000 cash, a scholarship for education at the Gemological Institute of America, memberships to Jewelers of America and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and a scholarship to GRS.
“This contest not only showcases the incredible talent within the jewelry industry but also celebrates the power of love and meaningful connections,” BIJC Board President Annie Doresca said. “We encourage jewelry designers from all backgrounds to participate and be a part of this transformative journey.”
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Aug. 25.
For more information or to enter, visit the BIJC website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
