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.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
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.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
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.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
