Events & Awards

BIJC Collective Returns to Las Vegas

Events & AwardsMay 28, 2024

BIJC Collective Returns to Las Vegas

The Black in Jewelry Coalition will showcase four designers at JCK Las Vegas and JCK Luxury.

Black In Jewelry Coalition Collective
The Black in Jewelry Coalition’s BIJC Collective is returning to Las Vegas, including, from left to right, Mukosha Mulenga of Eleora Gems, Jessenia Landrum of Jevela, Simone Smith of Simone I. Smith, and designer Dorian Webb.
New York—The Black in Jewelry Coalition’s BIJC Collective is heading back to Las Vegas.

A group of four Black-owned jewelry brands will exhibit at JCK Las Vegas and JCK Luxury.

At JCK, attendees can visit Eleora Gems, Jevela, and Simone I. Smith at booth 10042. At JCK Luxury, they can see Dorian Webb at stand D116.

Simone I. Smith and Dorian Webb were part of the collective last year, while Eleora Gems and Jevela are new.

“Each designer brings a unique perspective and expertise to the collective, offering an eclectic range of designs to suit every taste and style,” said BIJC.

Eleora Gems, which means "God’s light" in Hebrew, is a Zambia-based company that creates fine jewelry using locally sourced materials and colored gemstones from Zambia and the South African region. 

Led by CEO and Head of Design Mukosha Mulenga, the company said it focuses on ethical sourcing and community impact, purchasing materials from small-scale miners “who practice safe mining methods, ensuring fair compensation and sustainable practices throughout the production process.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

Jevela, founded by designer Jessenia Landrum in 2019, is also part of the collective.

The company crafts “unique and playful” designs meant for everyday wear, said BIJC. Though it began as a demi-fine brand, it has since expanded into the fine jewelry space.

Landrum tells the story of how the experiences and lessons learned along life’s journey are the “gems” collected along the way.

Landrum takes inspiration from nature, architecture, and storytelling, and she invites customers to wear the jewels as symbols of their personal journey.

The designer was part of the Natural Diamond Council’s Emerging Designers Diamonds Initiative and was the recipient of BIJC’s “Rising Star” Award at its “Rock the Jewels” Awards.

Another BIJC award winner will have a presence at JCK.

Simone I. Smith, founded by Simone Smith, winner of the BIJC "Rock the Jewels" Award, will be at JCK.

The brand recently launched the “Simone I. Smith x Misa Hylton ‘Denim & Diamonds’” collection.

“With each piece, Simone I. Smith encapsulates the essence of empowerment and self-expression, resonating with individuals who seek to make a bold statement, while embracing their unique story and individuality,” said BIJC.

The collective’s Dorian Webb, also part of the Natural Diamond Council’s Emerging Designers Diamonds Initiative, will be exhibiting at JCK Luxury. 

Her designs support African American culture while celebrating women and the beauty of connection, said BIJC.

Crafted in 18-karat gold and diamonds, her “thought-provoking pieces share stories and make bold statements.”

BIJC was one of the organizations chosen by the JCK Industry Fund Committee to receive one of its annual grants.

The fund supports the jewelry industry by awarding grants to organizations that can significantly improve the industry.

The Latest

Diamonds Direct Atlanta store
MajorsJul 26, 2024
Diamonds Direct Opens Store in Atlanta

It’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.

Bea Bongiasca’s Double Loop Earrings
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ Earrings

Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.

Stock image of Providence, Rhode Island, skyline
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest State

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.

Untitled design.jpg
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price Stability

As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.

Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Amazon package outside door
TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews

They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.

De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine
SourcingJul 25, 2024
De Beers’ H1 Revenue Falls 21% in ‘Weak’ Market

Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.

IndependentsJul 25, 2024
Store Designer Ruth Mellergaard Dies

A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.

Pomellato Malachite Pom Pom Dot bracelet
FinancialsJul 25, 2024
Boucheron, Pomellato Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2

The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.

Shane Co. and the Kids in Need foundation logo
MajorsJul 25, 2024
Shane Co. Partners With Kids In Need Foundation to Donate 7,200 Backpacks

The fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.

Bulgari high jewelry campaign
FinancialsJul 24, 2024
LVMH’s First-Half Jewelry, Watch Sales Dip 5%

Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.

Chaumet Paris 2024 Olympics medals
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High Jewelry

The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.

Jewelers Mutual and Union Life and Casualty logos
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance Provider

Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.

Bradlei Smith
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship Winner

Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales

In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.

De Beers rough diamond display
SourcingJul 23, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 15% in Q2

The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.

Long’s Jewelers giveaway promo
IndependentsJul 23, 2024
Long’s Jewelers Is Giving Away a Luxury Cape Cod Vacation

The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.

Sophia Moreno-Bunge of Isa Isa modeling Guzema’s Hidden Beauty collection
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ Campaign

The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.

Tresia Shituula, Monkgogi Moshaga, Mohamed Samu
Policies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant Winners

The grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.

Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With Customer

Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.

Elyssa Jenkins-Perez and Effie Marinos
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJC

The organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.

Karen Rentmeesters
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEO

Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.

Brian and Jessie Mann
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70

Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.

Tudor store in Denver
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor Boutique

The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.

Messika’s So Move Max Necklace
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ Necklace

Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.

Julien Tornare and Antoine Pin
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs

Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.

×

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