SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
IndependentsJul 25, 2023
Designer Peter Brams Dies at 77
He is remembered as a talented jewelry designer, a dog lover, and a passionate art collector.
Designer Peter Brams.
New York— New York jewelry designer Peter Stanley Brams died on July 1.
He was 77.
Originally from New Hampshire, Brams attended Hamilton College in New York, and after graduation, moved to New York City, where he started a jewelry business as a designer and manufacturer.
Brams got his start in the jewelry industry in 1973 as an importer, and he began designing a few years later.
His firm Peter Brams Designs, Ltd. was founded in 1979 by him and his partner Abe Rosenberg. They concentrated on sterling silver and gold jewelry.
“We try to create what we think will become classics,” Brams said in a 1986 interview.
Before discovering his knack for jewelry, Brams was heavily interested in art, which influenced his designs. He often drew upon his art knowledge for references in creating his “contemporary classics.”
Brams was a collector’s collector, Steve Powers wrote for antiquesandthearts.com.
“He didn’t follow fashions and wasn’t swayed by what others were buying. He bought with an open mind, a discerning eye, and an adventurous heart.”
In the 1980s, Brams was buying contemporary art. From 1986-1987, Hamilton College exhibited his collection of works by Basquiat, Gilbert & George, Philip Taaffe and Milan Kunc at the Fred L. Emerson Gallery.
In the later part of the decade, Brams took an interest in Outsider Art and American folk art, amassing a deep and personal collection.
“His aesthetic was classic but left-of-center, and he appreciated modesty; things too perfect were predictable and often lacked ‘life’,” Powers wrote.
In 2001, Brams sold his folk art collection, and moved to Jackson Heights, New York, where, in his new, blank apartment, he took an interest in the carvings of the Woodlands people.
Brams sold the Woodlands collection in 2012 and returned to American folk and Outsider Art, acquiring a few key pieces that had escaped him in the 1990s.
“Brams was remarkably humble and would shy from any compliment thrown his way. Though his remarkable collecting journey amazed those around him, he would defer any personal credit that it was his instincts, education and heart that shaped his highly discerning collections,” Powers wrote.
He is remembered as a loyal friend, brother, and uncle. He often spoke of his happy childhood in New Hampshire and his love for his parents; his comfort is that he is buried with them, his younger sister and his dog Suzie in his hometown of Concord, Powers said.
A memorial service was held in the courtyard of Brams’ Jackson Heights building, where he found solace and inspiration. Contributions can be made in his honor to Hamilton College or the ASPCA.
He was 77.
Originally from New Hampshire, Brams attended Hamilton College in New York, and after graduation, moved to New York City, where he started a jewelry business as a designer and manufacturer.
Brams got his start in the jewelry industry in 1973 as an importer, and he began designing a few years later.
His firm Peter Brams Designs, Ltd. was founded in 1979 by him and his partner Abe Rosenberg. They concentrated on sterling silver and gold jewelry.
“We try to create what we think will become classics,” Brams said in a 1986 interview.
Before discovering his knack for jewelry, Brams was heavily interested in art, which influenced his designs. He often drew upon his art knowledge for references in creating his “contemporary classics.”
Brams was a collector’s collector, Steve Powers wrote for antiquesandthearts.com.
“He didn’t follow fashions and wasn’t swayed by what others were buying. He bought with an open mind, a discerning eye, and an adventurous heart.”
In the 1980s, Brams was buying contemporary art. From 1986-1987, Hamilton College exhibited his collection of works by Basquiat, Gilbert & George, Philip Taaffe and Milan Kunc at the Fred L. Emerson Gallery.
In the later part of the decade, Brams took an interest in Outsider Art and American folk art, amassing a deep and personal collection.
“His aesthetic was classic but left-of-center, and he appreciated modesty; things too perfect were predictable and often lacked ‘life’,” Powers wrote.
In 2001, Brams sold his folk art collection, and moved to Jackson Heights, New York, where, in his new, blank apartment, he took an interest in the carvings of the Woodlands people.
Brams sold the Woodlands collection in 2012 and returned to American folk and Outsider Art, acquiring a few key pieces that had escaped him in the 1990s.
“Brams was remarkably humble and would shy from any compliment thrown his way. Though his remarkable collecting journey amazed those around him, he would defer any personal credit that it was his instincts, education and heart that shaped his highly discerning collections,” Powers wrote.
He is remembered as a loyal friend, brother, and uncle. He often spoke of his happy childhood in New Hampshire and his love for his parents; his comfort is that he is buried with them, his younger sister and his dog Suzie in his hometown of Concord, Powers said.
A memorial service was held in the courtyard of Brams’ Jackson Heights building, where he found solace and inspiration. Contributions can be made in his honor to Hamilton College or the ASPCA.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
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.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
