PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ Award
Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

Sasplugas is the co-founder and creative director of PDPaola, a jewelry brand based in Barcelona.
Finalists in the fine jewelry category were Julie Kim of Bijules, Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z Jewelry, and Isabel Calvert of Sette Jewelry.
While Sasplugas was not able to attend the ceremony, the brand’s CEO of North America Jason McNary was there to accept the award on her behalf.
“To be recognized among such visionary talented designers like Tory Burch, Phillip Lim, and Jason Wu is both humbling and inspiring. This moment reflects the creative vision and relentless passion that Paola pours into the brand, and the bold spirit we bring to the U.S. market every day. We’re just getting started!,” said McNary.
In a statement, Sasplugas said, “It’s rare to stop and take it all in—but this recognition gave me that moment. I’m grateful for the journey, the people building it with me, and the change to keep pushing boundaries. This is only the beginning.”
The event, which occurred in New York City last week, was hosted by actress Tiffany Haddish. It is not only a gathering of leading designers, executives, and tastemakers, but an awards ceremony that recognizes emerging talent in fashion, beauty, and other related sectors.
PDPaola is known for its “jewelry for urbanites who embrace sophistication, quality, and design,” the brand said.
Sasplugas founded PDPaola alongside her brother Humbert Sasplugas in 2015. Since then, the brand has been stocked in more than 60 stores, from flagship locations to retail partners in cities across Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and more.
The brand has been expanding in the United States as well, with a flagship that opened in New York City last year. PDPaola also said it has plans to open new points of sale this year.
Earlier this month, PDPaola debuted a new fine jewelry collection with a campaign featuring actress Kelly Rutherford.
The campaign showcases Rutherford in its fine jewelry collection, available in 18-karat yellow and white gold set with lab-grown diamond pieces, alongside swan imagery.
Swans were chosen as inspiration for the collection as their natural elegance gave the pieces grace, beauty, and authenticity, said the brand.
A demi-fine jewelry collection also released Tuesday, titled “La Perla.” It uses 18-karat yellow gold-plated silver with cultured pearls.
The fine jewelry collection is available on this page of the PDPaola website, and the La Perla collection is available on this page.
The Latest

London-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.

The workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.

The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.

As the holiday season quickly approaches, consider stocking one category that sometimes gets overlooked: earrings.

Founder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.


The luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.

The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.

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

The book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.

Alexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.

The superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.

Retailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.

The nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.

The stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.

Hollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.

The New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.

The Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.

Making its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.

They were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.

It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.

Gemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.

Take a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.

Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.





















