From tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
Becoming jaded
At this year's Vegas trade shows, I was falling for luminous gemstones such as moonstone and labradorite, but lately, it's a more unassuming gem that has captured my attention. At JA New York, I picked up a pair of beaded...
At this year's Vegas trade shows, I was falling for luminous gemstones such as moonstone and labradorite, but lately, it's a more unassuming gem that has captured my attention.
At JA New York, I picked up a pair of beaded jade bracelets (above), not thinking much of the stones themselves, but rather imagining that they would be great pieces for layering with items already in my jewelry box, including thread bracelets accented with tiny charms and a long leather wrap bracelet.
I don't know whether the buy opened my eyes to jade, or if designers have recently found new inspiration in the stone, but it's probably a bit of both. Soon after I scooped up my beaded bracelets, a couple of unique, beautifully designed jade pieces caught my eye.
Check out these jade earrings above from designer Lina Rimor, worn by 90210 actress Jessica Lowndes at the Aug. 28 Art of Elysium event in Hollywood. Photos of celebrities wearing jewelry fill up my inbox all day long, but when this one arrived, I did a double-take. The bright green simply pops, and the carved stone juxtaposed with the diamonds and gold make for an interesting interplay of textures.
The earrings retail for $4,100. For more from the designer, visit RinaLimor.com.
I've also lately been super impressed by jade pieces from Chinese designer Yilin Choo, who's currently based in Thailand and designs under the brand Choo Yilin Artisan Jewellery. When I met her during JA New York, Choo explained to me that jade has a special place in Chinese culture and is believed by many to have almost mythical qualities. For the designer, it was important to integrate old-world Chinese culture with her own interpretation of modern luxury.
Take a look at these pieces below (click right on any of the images for a closer look). The bangles are among my favorite of Choo's designs. I think they're a clear example of her viewpoint in combining tradition and modernity.
Grade-A jadeite bangles woven with hammered vermeil strips and studded with silver dew drops and green and blue sapphires and tanzanite; suggested retail price is $353 each.
Grade-A jadeite bangle converted to a large pendant and accented with six gemstones set in hammered silver; suggested retail price is $480.
Grade-A jadeite rings with marquise-cut amethysts; suggested retail price is $206.
For more from the designer, visit ChooYilin.com.
The Latest

The “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.

The catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”


The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.

Any gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”

The new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

The new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.

The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

The retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.























