CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityEditorsDec 23, 2024
My Favorite Piece of the Week Jewels of 2024
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco chose her 12 favorite Piece of the Week picks from the year gone by.
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite Piece of the Week jewels as she looks back on her first year with the National Jeweler team.
As we reach the end of 2024, I’ve been looking back at memories from the year and Piece of the Week has always been a favorite story for the National Jeweler editors and me to cover.
Each week, the story features spectacular and innovative jewels that often have a creative story behind them, from award-winning pieces to those featuring hundreds of carats worth of gemstones to Halloween-esque jewelry.
Looking back at the year gone by has me in a sentimental mood since this was my first year with National Jeweler. It was hard to choose between the 50 pieces covered so far this year, but a decision must be made!
These are 12 of my favorite pieces, one from each month of 2024’s Piece of the Week series.
Each week, the story features spectacular and innovative jewels that often have a creative story behind them, from award-winning pieces to those featuring hundreds of carats worth of gemstones to Halloween-esque jewelry.
Looking back at the year gone by has me in a sentimental mood since this was my first year with National Jeweler. It was hard to choose between the 50 pieces covered so far this year, but a decision must be made!
These are 12 of my favorite pieces, one from each month of 2024’s Piece of the Week series.
January: A platinum piece is a must in January, as a tribute to the snowy weather. These platinum “Dream Catchers” earrings by Platinum Born ($1,940) were a perfect way to start the new year.
February: Dallas Prince Designs’ “Twilight Garden” ring turned the cool tones from January’s pick to warm hues as we looked forward to the changing seasons that were soon to come. Imperial topaz takes center stage with diamonds set in 14-karat rose gold in this former Spectrum Award-winning ring ($6,799).
March: What’s better than one piece of jewelry? I’d say a piece that transforms into two! This award-winning “Lotus” tiara by Aril Jewels is not only a stunning tiara with peridot, diamonds, aquamarines, tourmalines, and amethysts in 18-karat yellow gold and platinum but it converts into a necklace too (price upon request).
April: Retrouvaí designer Kirsty Stone looked in her loose gemstone treasure trove for the Piece of the Week in April. The “Treasure” necklace features 32 gemstones weighing more than 155 carats. Tourmaline, tanzanite, fire opal, aquamarine, emerald, morganite, and Ethiopian opal are all set in an “Heirloom” bezel of 18-karat yellow gold ($135,000).
May: “The Blink of an Eye” pendant by Francesca Villa takes the top spot as my favorite Piece of the Week pick of 2024. It centers on a vintage VariVue lenticular image set in 18-karat yellow gold and is framed by enamel, pearls, and diamonds ($15,550). As you move the piece, its eye appears to be opening and closing.
June: Sorellina conjured nostalgia during Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week with its “Cassette Tape” pendant ($23,500) that won a Couture Design Award this year in the “Best in Innovative” category. The piece hangs from a “Playlist” necklace ($22,000) with rock crystal and white topaz Walkman buttons and has a golden spool that can “rewind” and “fast-forward” like a real cassette with the “Cassette Key Pencil” pendant ($6,000).
July: The “Insignia” medallion by Cece Jewellery predicted our fate at the start of the summer with its seven hand-painted champlevé enamel symbols and 18-karat yellow gold and brilliant-cut diamond arrow ($51,000). Maybe the fate spinner landed on the swallow for adventure or the cherub for love.
August: Colorful gemstones were a highlight of August, with Gumuchian’s “Spectrum” necklace that featured 198 carats of amethysts, aquamarines, tourmalines, sapphires, citrines, garnets, tanzanites, and heliodors, along with a pink tourmaline inlaid with onyx to resemble a ladybug, a cabochon amethyst with an owl intaglio, and a faceted citrine with a horse head intaglio ($120,000).
September: This “Black Alley Cat” brooch by Cartier was a perfect choice in honor of Friday the 13th. The feline with fur made of carved jasper and glowing marquise-shaped yellow diamond eyes from the collection of British socialite and model Nina Dyer went to auction at Christie’s. It sold for $50,400, well above its high-end estimate of $20,200.
October: A spooky, slithering snake was a must for our Halloween Piece of the Week! Ray Griffith’s “Double Headed Snake” ring was extra scary with two 18-karat yellow gold heads each with its own set of glowing tsavorite eyes ($3,575). While snake motifs have been around since ancient Egypt, they were one of the top trends of 2024.
November: As the sun began to set earlier, it only made sense for November’s Piece of the Week to be a pair of edgy, punk-inspired black South Sea pearl earrings to match the dark night sky. The “Spiked” studs by Xander Jane took classically elegant pearls and transformed them with 18-karat rose gold spikes ($5,400).
December: Throughout 2024 animals were often on our mind when writing Piece of the Week and December’s insect was the “Kokoro” pendant ($3,908) by Cocoerow Fine Jewelry. Named after the Yoruba word for ant, the 18-karat yellow gold piece features emeralds, opal, tourmaline, sapphire, aquamarine, tanzanite, and a diamond. The pendant was shown at the Reciprocity Jewels exhibition highlighting responsible sourcing at this year’s New York City Jewelry Week.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsDec 23, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey Stars in The 1916 Company’s New CampaignThe retailer’s “On the Clock” campaign celebrates how time, precision, and purpose come together.
GradingDec 23, 2024
GIA Adds Filler Identification to Emerald ReportsLab clients have the option to request this addition on their emerald reports.
Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
