CollectionsSep 27, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Necklace is an Archaeological RevivalCollectionsOct 11, 2024
Piece of the Week: Gemfields x Kimberly McDonald Jewelry Suite
The two collaborated on a necklace and a pair of earrings that praise the beauty of Zambian emeralds.
The irregular-shaped emerald drop earrings and irregular-shaped emerald tennis necklace from Gemfields’ collaboration with New York jewelry designer Kimberly McDonald
New York—Emeralds have long been associated with luxury and extravagance, historically used to symbolize wealth and status.
While the rare gem certainly inspires awe, it’s a treat when designers bring a playful and organic approach to working with emeralds.
New York-based designer Kimberly McDonald, who is known for her asymmetrical gem-set jewelry, has partnered with Gemfields to create a necklace and a pair of earrings using emeralds from the miner’s Kagem mine in Zambia.
Following a career working as a fine jewelry curator for private clients, McDonald launched her eponymous brand in 2007, focusing on the use of natural materials with an ethos of “creation without destruction.”
“I hope that when people experience one of my pieces, not only are they transfixed by the beautiful gems and craftsmanship; I hope that they are also inspired to be more mindful and protective of the planet that provides these magnificent little treasures that we wear as talismanic symbols of beauty and transducers of energy,” said McDonald.
While emeralds can range in color from bright and grassy greens to yellow-tinted hues, those mined in Zambia often have more of a bluish tint, giving this mini collection a deep, moody vibe that feels perfectly suited to the arrival of cooler months.
The irregular-shaped emerald drop earrings contain more than 26 carats of emeralds. Pear-shaped stones dangle from a chain of smaller emeralds set in a scattered design.
McDonald’s irregular-shaped emerald tennis necklace has a total of 34 carats. The pendant-style necklace uses emeralds in the same scatter design on a chain that culminates in a pear-shaped gemstone drop.
The stones for the pieces were all color-matched, a meticulous process that can take some designers months, years, or even decades.
Gemfields said its proprietary grading system, which sorts colored gemstones into over 200 grades based on their color, size, and clarity, helps to simplify the matching process for designers like McDonald.
“In marveling at Kimberly McDonald’s designs, we are able to appreciate the impact of color. The fresh, verdant green is a calming oasis for the eye, while the playful asymmetrical settings allow light to dance through each gem, heightening the impact of these beautifully color-matched pieces,” said Emily Dungey, Gemfields’ marketing and communications director.
“It is a delight to celebrate the emerald in this manner, truly letting the gemstones tell their story.”
The Kimberly McDonald x Gemfields collaboration is available to purchase at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
Related stories will be right here …
While the rare gem certainly inspires awe, it’s a treat when designers bring a playful and organic approach to working with emeralds.
New York-based designer Kimberly McDonald, who is known for her asymmetrical gem-set jewelry, has partnered with Gemfields to create a necklace and a pair of earrings using emeralds from the miner’s Kagem mine in Zambia.
Following a career working as a fine jewelry curator for private clients, McDonald launched her eponymous brand in 2007, focusing on the use of natural materials with an ethos of “creation without destruction.”
“I hope that when people experience one of my pieces, not only are they transfixed by the beautiful gems and craftsmanship; I hope that they are also inspired to be more mindful and protective of the planet that provides these magnificent little treasures that we wear as talismanic symbols of beauty and transducers of energy,” said McDonald.
While emeralds can range in color from bright and grassy greens to yellow-tinted hues, those mined in Zambia often have more of a bluish tint, giving this mini collection a deep, moody vibe that feels perfectly suited to the arrival of cooler months.
The irregular-shaped emerald drop earrings contain more than 26 carats of emeralds. Pear-shaped stones dangle from a chain of smaller emeralds set in a scattered design.
McDonald’s irregular-shaped emerald tennis necklace has a total of 34 carats. The pendant-style necklace uses emeralds in the same scatter design on a chain that culminates in a pear-shaped gemstone drop.
The stones for the pieces were all color-matched, a meticulous process that can take some designers months, years, or even decades.
Gemfields said its proprietary grading system, which sorts colored gemstones into over 200 grades based on their color, size, and clarity, helps to simplify the matching process for designers like McDonald.
“In marveling at Kimberly McDonald’s designs, we are able to appreciate the impact of color. The fresh, verdant green is a calming oasis for the eye, while the playful asymmetrical settings allow light to dance through each gem, heightening the impact of these beautifully color-matched pieces,” said Emily Dungey, Gemfields’ marketing and communications director.
“It is a delight to celebrate the emerald in this manner, truly letting the gemstones tell their story.”
The Kimberly McDonald x Gemfields collaboration is available to purchase at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Collections
The Latest
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
