16 New York City Jewelry Week Events to Check Out

New York—New York City Jewelry Week (NYCJW) kicks off next week, running from Nov. 13-19 at venues across the city.

Co-founders J.B. Jones and Bella Neyman launched NYCJW in 2018 as a way to bring the jewelry industry together and invite the public “behind the diamond curtain.”

The annual week-long event invites attendees into the jewelry world through exhibitions, panel discussions, retail collaborations, and celebrations, with most events available for free.

There are also virtual experiences available for those unable to join in person.

There’s a packed schedule of events this year, so National Jeweler has highlighted a few we think are worth adding to your list.

Monday, Nov. 13
Rago|Wright Auction Preview
Peninsula Hotel, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Auction house Rago|Wright is hosting an auction preview of its “Jewelry and Precious Objects” sale.

The sale, slated for Nov. 29, includes the fine jewelry collection of Hearst Magazines Editorial Director Ellen Levine, described as a “groundbreaking woman in magazine publishing.”

Highlights include jewelry and watches from David Webb, Chopard, Rolex, Burle Marx, Angela Cummings, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co. objects.

What Makes A Jewelry Icon: (ICON)ography: Past, Present, Future
Museum of Arts and Design theater, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Stellene Volandes, editor-in-chief of Town & Country, will host a panel discussion about “how a piece of jewelry becomes an icon and what makes its creators legendary.”

The panel includes jewelers Solange Azagury-Partridge and Briony Raymond and stylist and editor Malaika Crawford.

Tuesday, Nov. 14
First-Class Trip in the “Made in Italy” Jewelry Tradition: Unlocking the Golden Legacy
The Jewelry Library, 10 to 11 a.m.

Laura Inghirami, a jewelry strategist, lecturer, and the founder of Donna Jewel, will host an in-person talk about the history of Italian iconography and jewelry, taking attendees on a “journey” through Italy’s goldsmith districts.

She will share stories of notable brands as well as emerging talents.

Upholding Traditions: A Conversation With Indigenous Jewelers
Museum of Arts and Design theater, 11 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

Christian Allaire, an Ojibwe fashion writer for Vogue, will moderate a panel discussion about how contemporary Indigenous jewelers are incorporating their cultural traditions and values into their work.

The panel will include Tania Larsson (Gwich’in), Jennifer Younger (Tlingit), Jeremy Arviso (Diné/Hopi/Gila River Pima/Tohono O’odham), Nanibaa Beck (Dine), and Tiffany Vanderhoop (Haida/Aquinnah Wampanoag).

Women in Jewelry Who Rock: A Portrait Series
The Jewelry Library, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This evening event will celebrate the “power and brilliance” of women in the jewelry industry who have been included in the portrait series book “Women in Jewelry Who Rock.”

The series was created and curated by Black in Jewelry Coalition co-founder and Vice President Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez and French portrait photographer Alice Prenat, who will sit down for a fireside chat with attendees.

Wednesday, Nov. 15
Jewelry with Purpose: Aligning the Sparkle with Sustainable Development
Consulate General of Peru, 3 to 4 p.m.

Reciprocity, a group of designers who have partnered a network of female artisanal miners in the Peruvian Amazon, has invited representatives from the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference and the U.N. Fashion and Lifestyle Network to host a panel discussion on sustainability at the Peruvian Consulate.

NYCJW co-founder Jones will lead the talk, featuring panelists Lucie Brigham, chief of office at the UN Office for Partnerships; Susan Wheeler, founder of the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference; Kerry Bannigan, executive director of the Fashion Impact Fund; and Andrea Jose Castro, jewelry designer and founder of Casa Collab.

Reciprocity will host a few of its own events throughout the week at the Peruvian Consulate.

The Power of Jewelry: A Conversation: Adornment, Expression & the Red Carpet
Gowanus Gallery by Larisa, Brooklyn, 6 to 8 p.m.

In this Brooklyn-based event, Kassandra Lauren Gordon, a London-based multidisciplinary artist, will explore the culture of jewelry, including how it has been used throughout history to express wealth, power, and style, and how it makes a statement on the red carpet.

“This event is perfect for anyone who loves jewelry, fashion, or pop culture. You’ll learn about the latest trends and get expert advice on how to choose and wear jewelry that complements your personal style,” said organizers.

Thursday, Nov. 16
The RealReal x Presley Oldham: An Exclusive In-Store Jewelry Preview
The RealReal at 80 Wooster St., 5 to 7 p.m.

Designer Presley Oldham has partnered with The RealReal on a second collection, taking materials from the retailer that were “unfit for sale” to create his own take on iconic jewelry styles, including a station necklace and a graduated pearl strand.

As part of NYCJW, the collection will be available at The RealReal’s SoHo location.

A display of goods from The RealReal curated by NYCJW co-founders Neyman and Jones will also be available to view.

Soho to Nolita Jewelry Walk: A 1.2-Mile Jewelry Jaunt
Soho and Nolita neighborhoods, 5 to 7 p.m.

Tour organizers will take attendees on a jewelry tour through these New York City neighborhoods, stopping at The RealReal, as well as Atelier D’Emotion, Esqueleto, Noel Guyomarc’h, Heidi Lowe, and Jill Platner.

View the walking tour map here.

(Another jewelry walking tour, this one through the West Village and Meatpacking District neighborhoods, is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17.)

Friday, Nov. 17
How Precious UA: Coffee with Victoria Gomelsky
Mriya Gallery, 9 to 10 a.m.

Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK, will host a morning exhibition, presented by The Strong & Precious Art Foundation, about the craftsmanship of contemporary Ukrainian jewelers.

The event features six jewels designed to reflect Ukraine’s current issues.

“It’s a remarkable example of how the traditional Ukrainian jewelry school’s heritage is reimagined through innovative, modern designs,” said organizers.

Jewelry journalist Melanie Grant will host a cocktail reception at the same venue from 6 to 8 p.m.

New York Jewelry Design Institute’s Ring Rendering Workshop: The Art of Basic Jewelry Rendering
New York Jewelry Design Institute, 2 to 3 p.m. and virtual

The New York Jewelry Design Institute is hosting a free one-hour workshop to teach students basic jewelry rendering techniques. It is also available virtually.

“This workshop is your gateway to gaining new skills and creating a portfolio that can help you get a job in the jewelry industry,” said organizers.

Saturday, Nov. 18
Museum Highlights: An Introduction to The Met Collection Journey Through Time
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting a curated tour of its collection, including jewelry, metalwork, and other adornments.

Attendees will need a ticket for this event, which will grant them general admission to the museum for the rest of the day.

This event also takes place on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.

Documenting the Nameplate: Crafting an Iconic Jewelry Style
Bargain Bazaar Inc., Brooklyn, 1 to 3 p.m.

Authors Marcel Rosa-Salas and Isabel Attyah Flower will host this immersive event inside Downtown Brooklyn jewelry store Bargain Bazaar Inc., which organizers called “one of the first and last standing storefronts for hip-hop jewelry in New York City.”

Attendees can see how nameplates are created while learning about their history and evolution.

Meet the Artist: Ariana Embirikos
Fitzgerald Jewelry, Brooklyn, 3 to 6 p.m.

Jewelry designer Ariana Embirikos is showing her new collection at Fitzgerald Jewelry in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood.

The “Why So Spicy” collection is “a statement collection announcing that timeless subtle elegance is enhanced with a little and sometimes a lot of spice.”

Embirikos was one of the designers featured in the collaboration between Muzo and NYCJW’s “Here We Are” initiative, which debuted at Greenwich St. Jewelers last year.

Sunday, Nov. 19
Brunch with the Curators of Adorning America
The Jewelry Library, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“Adorning America: The History and Legacy of the Schreiner Jewelry Company” features jewelry by “one of North America’s foremost designers of high-end costume jewelry.”

The exhibition opens Friday, Nov. 17 during a separate event, but on Sunday, attendees can join co-curators Eve Townsend and Ariana Bishop for a discussion about collecting vintage costume jewelry and how these jewels can be used to study social history.

Bond Group Art Show + Free Piercings
Bond Hardware Studio, Brooklyn, 6 to 9 p.m.

Bond Hardware Studio is hosting a community gathering centered around art and design, showcasing local artists and designers. Attendees will be offered free piercings, flash tattoos, tooth gems, and other forms of body adornment and modification. 

This event is also taking place Saturday, Nov. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m.

For more information about NYCJW, visit the event website.