Piece of the Week: Jade Trau’s ‘Ladybird’ Charm
From the brand’s latest collection of lucky charms, the ladybird is seen as a bearer of good fortune and a ward against negative energy.

Ladybirds, also known as ladybugs, are often viewed as bearers of good fortune with the ability to ward off negative energy.
That is why receiving a visit from a ladybug is considered special and designer Jade Trau tends to have them pop up at just the right moments in her life.
“When my dad passed away this summer, they seemed to surround me. They landed on me while I was sitting on the beach. I kept finding the same red one with two spots in my bathroom … or at least I told myself it was the same one,” said Trau, the founder and designer of her eponymous brand.
She said she chose the British English name of the bug in honor of her father, who was born and raised in Liverpool.
“In my grieving, and even now, I’m convinced it was my dad’s spirit surrounding me. I told my sister about it and the next day, she sent me a picture of a ladybird who landed on her while she was lying in bed.”
Ladybugs have become one of Trau’s lucky symbols, so it was necessary for her to include them as one of her eight newly released large-scale charms.
The “Ladybird” charm features an 18-karat yellow gold head and wings that cover a body of pavé-set diamonds totaling 0.97 carats.
Its pavé body is Trau’s “Frankie” design, which debuted at Couture last year, featuring graduating round, pear, and marquise-cut diamonds.
“Ladybird” and the seven other new charms mix contemporary design elements like the “Frankie” with cross-cultural symbols that have provided positivity and good luck to generations, said the brand.
The other charms in the collection include a horseshoe, four-leaf clover, scarab, elephant with tusks up, heart, hamsa, and star, all in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds.
The “Ladybird” charm retails for $10,100.
It launched to retailers at the Melee show in New York City on Saturday and will be available soon on the Jade Trau website.
The Latest

Jewelers who misinterpret the state of the jewelry market risk employing the wrong retail strategy, cautions columnist Sherry Smith.

In her newly expanded role, she will continue to oversee the jewelry category, as well as watches, home, and accessories.

“The Godfather II” watch plays two melodies from the mob film’s score, “The Godfather’s Waltz” and “The Godfather Love Theme.”

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Organizers have also introduced the new JCK Talks Signature Series, as well as an offering of watch-focused workshops and lectures.


The Alan Hodgkinson Medal recognizes gemologists who are consistently generous with their time and expertise.

The Swiss watchmaker is changing up its executive leadership team as part of a restructuring.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.

Rob Bates of The Jewelry Wire will also moderate a panel on the state of the jewelry industry during the virtual event.

The Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.

With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.

The retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.

Smith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.

John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.

“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.

“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.

Signet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.

The antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.

Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.

Iconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.

The luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.

The NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.

The one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.

The new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.

It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.





























