Independents

Sir King Takes the Reins at Castro NYC

IndependentsOct 12, 2023

Sir King Takes the Reins at Castro NYC

After Terry Castro’s untimely death last year, the brand lives on through its second generation.

Sir King Castro
Sir King Castro is pictured at Carpenters Workshop Gallery’s New York City location.
New York—The Castro NYC story isn’t over. 
 
The company has announced Terry Castro’s child, Sir King Castro, will helm the fine jewelry brand after the designer’s untimely death last year. 

Sir King, who uses they/them pronouns, was raised steeped in their father’s world of jewelry and avant-garde design that prized personal artistic inclination over trends.  
 
They grew up between New York City and their father’s native Ohio, where they attended Toledo School of the Arts.  
 
In New York, Sir King could be found assisting Castro selling jewelry on the street or helping with small repairs in his Harlem studio. 

Castro NYC Money Muzo emerald brooch
Castro NYC’s “Money Brooch” was part of Sotheby’s “Brilliant & Black” sale in 2021. The piece is made of 18-karat gold, bronze, and Muzo emeralds.

In 2016, Castro relocated to Istanbul. With access to expert craftspeople, the designer embarked on a new chapter of creativity, crafting what his admirers consider his best work, like the pieces exhibited in the seminal Sotheby’s “Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance” sale in 2021, and its 2022 follow-up, “Brilliant & Black: The Age of Enlightenment.”  

In 2019, Sir King followed suit, leaving the Chicago College of Performing Arts, where they studied theater, to join their father in Istanbul and learn the ins and outs of his design process.  
 
After their father’s death, they relocated to New York City. 

Castro NYC Drip earrings
Castro NYC “Drip Earrings” 2021, are crafted in 18-karat gold and sterling silver with white and brown diamonds, a color-change garnet, rubies, and freshwater pearls. The design is an abstract interpretation of a cobra.

Now, Sir King is officially taking the helm of the iconoclastic jewelry label, ensuring it lives into the future. 
 
“I want to share Castro NYC’s story with the world, so people can find inspiration,” they said. 
 
“I see Castro NYC jewels as rare collectible sculptures more than I see them as just jewelry.” 
 
Sir King will dip into the designer’s archives to create new versions of the brand’s one-of-a-kind pieces for clients and bring some of their father’s never-realized ideas to fruition. 
 
“There are many sketches and ideas that Castro created, yet to be brought to life,” Sir King said. 
 
Castro NYC is debuting its identity as a second-generation brand via a partnership with art gallery Carpenters Workshop Gallery, which sells art and jewelry from designers like Alice Cicolini and Brilliant & Black alums Jaqueline Rabun and Rashid Johnson.  

Castro NYC zebra earrings
Castro NYC “Zeeporah” earrings in 18-karat white gold with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. Designed by Terry Castro, the piece depicting zebra ears upon a bird’s skull was created in ode to traditional African protective amulets.

The gallery has locations in Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and London. It will host a Castro NYC retrospective next year at its London location in Ladbroke Hall. 
 
“Carpenters Workshop Gallery is honored to represent Castro NYC exclusively and looks forward to hosting the first retrospective of the artist’s work in 2024,” said Head of Jewelry Tamara Platiša.   
 
“Terry Castro’s vision, craftsmanship and creativity are a testament to his artistry and innovation and resonate with the spirit of Carpenters Workshop Gallery, where creativity knows no bounds and the boundaries of collectable jewelry art are pushed.” 
 
 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

Gem Awards Gala 2026
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award Nominees

These nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion

The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.

Tourmaline inclusion in muscovite mica
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ Inclusions

GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.

dsf antique jewelry ceylon intaglio sapphire .jpg
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare Discoveries

With over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.

 Bibi van der Velden Eclipse Campaign Imagery
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High Jewelry

The “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.

Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Daughters of the Deep indicolite earrings
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking About

From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.

Pat Pruitt Dragonfly Earrings
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election Night

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

overnight btyb 1026.png
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to Sell

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Colin Jost in Kay Jewelers holiday ad
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday Ad

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

GCAL 8X_NJSB_1.jpg
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the Counter

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

Wrapped holiday gift boxes
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This Year

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

Little Pet Portrait Pendants by Russell Jones & Judi Powers
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New Collaboration

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

Brilliant Earth Elizabeth Taylor jewelry
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

Swarovski Joy: The Swarovski Musical Campaign with Ariana Grande
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

GIA logo
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday Services

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

Cartier bracelet and ring
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia Airport

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

Pandora celestial chandelier earrings
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on Design

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

NYC Jewelry Week Biolgems Jewelry Exhibition
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition Yet

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New President

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

Replica of Infinity Gauntlet
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for Auction

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

David Yurman Gem Awards Grant 2027 Graphic
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 Applications

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

Kirstin Viland, Joanna Kovacs, Shari Lukacs
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship Winners

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

Sothebys Romanov sapphire
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s Geneva

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

Fake Audemars Piguet watch
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet Watches

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America new board members
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

Kristi Yamaguchi Wearing Always Dream Collection
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ Collection

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

2026 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards Best Of Winners
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum Awards

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy