NY Now Debuts Program for Rising Fine Jewelry Designers
The incubator’s inaugural 12 participants will receive mentorship ahead of launching in the Winter Market next year.

The Emerging Fine Jewelry Designer (EFJD) Incubator was developed to support rising talent by leveraging the strength of the Luxury Lifestyle section of the show, which was established during the Summer 2023 Market.
Participating designers receive access to strategically placed, turn-key exhibit space within Luxury Lifestyle, as well as ongoing mentorship, guidance, and support ahead of their exhibitions.
The first round of designers, who have already been selected for the program, will launch in the NY Now Winter Market, held at the Jacob Javits Center from Feb. 4-7, 2024, and will be eligible to participate in NY Now for three show cycles.
The 12 inaugural brands are Crevette Design Studio, Deborah Meyers Experience, Gwen Beloti, Hilary Finck Jewelry, I Seira, Karin Luvaas Jewelry, Kelsey Simmen, Lindsey L. Allen, Macadam, Rachel Jones Jewellery, Tasmin Rasor, and Universal Deco.
As part of their launch preparation, these designers will be supported by other seasoned brands exhibiting within Luxury Lifestyle.
“What sets NY Now apart is not merely [its] commitment to promote and strengthen businesses, but to foster the designer community as well,” said Elizabeth Kellin of long-time exhibiting brand, Dana Kellin.
“The show’s devotion to Luxury Lifestyle prioritizes innovation and ingenuity, the celebration of each designer, and their unique point of view. NY Now is not just a trade show: it’s a platform and launchpad that embraces individuality and supports the creative community.”
The group will also receive insights and mentorship from NY Now personnel including Morgan Amelia Miller, sales director for jewelry and accessories; Ashley Ciofrone, senior sales manager for jewelry and accessories; and Simone Waldron, luxury lifestyle curator.
The mentors said they recognize the importance of nurturing diverse new talent within the category and are excited to help bolster the careers and on-site experiences of the designers.
Emerging designers will also work with Liz Kantner and Robin Kramer, who spearheaded the EFJD Incubator program.
Kantner and Kramer are jewelry mentors and consultants with a combined 30-plus years of experience navigating the nuances of the designer fine jewelry market.
“We are both passionate about supporting emerging designers in the jewelry industry, so this opportunity feels like a dream for us,” Kantner and Kramer said.
“We’re excited to use our combined experience to help members of the Emerging Fine Jewelry Designer Incubator have a successful event, find footing in the NY Now marketplace and form a strong foundation on which to grow a vibrant and sustainable business.”
For more information on the NY Now Winter Market, visit the event’s website.
The Latest

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.

The “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.

The jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.


The jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.

A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Sponsored by A Diamond Is Forever

The next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.

It was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.

While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.


























