CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayCollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque Necklace
The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Who can resist a bowl of candy?
Fine jewelry brand Tejen took the glimmer of a sweet bowl filled with candy and turned it into a piece of jewelry with its “Candy Bowl” torque.
The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in an oblong bowl setting on a disc-shaped pendant made of 18-karat Fairmined yellow gold. The pendant connects to the torque via “Rock Sugar” chain links accented with 0.48 carats of diamonds.
The piece was one of the final designs created for Tejen’s latest “Rock Sugar” collection, “like icing the cake,” said Mark Kroeker, founder and artistic director of Tejen.
He explained that Australian white opals always attracted him because they look like hard candy.
However, the idea came to life when he was visiting an artist friend who had used super shiny small spoons during a catered event. Kroeker placed the opals on the spoon and began photographing the light effects in the opals as they moved on the silverware.
“It’s a kinetic collection—lapidary and gold spheres spin on axis, crushes of pavé chain slide on gold bar bells and here, with the torque, the fire of the opal is in constant movement as it spins in the reflective gold bowl,” said Kroeker.
The brand said the pendant was created as a minimalist sculpture that is an exploration of larger volumes in gold, but it also ushers in Kroeker becoming an ambassador of the Fairmined Gold Initiative.
Kroeker and the brand received the distinction last month, which is different from being Fairmined certified.
As an ambassador, the brand must embody a deeper commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and advocacy for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining.
This includes being an active advocate, investing directly in mining communities through social impact projects, and being committed to ethical innovation, along with using Fairmined certified gold in all of the brand’s jewelry.
The Fairmined standard was created by the Alliance for Responsible Mining, a nonprofit that supports the development of artisanal and small-scale mining communities.
“As Tejen approaches its 10th anniversary, we are profoundly honored to be named a Fairmined ambassador, a distinction that reflects our commitment to the use of Fairmined gold in fine jewelry and objet d'art,” said Kroeker.
“This ambassadorship reinforces our dedication to responsible sourcing; the preservation, safety, and fair treatment of small artisanal mining communities through our support of The Alliance of Responsible Mining; The Fairmined Organization; and the belief that true luxury is defined not only by refinement but by integrity and purpose.”
Related stories will be right here …
Fine jewelry brand Tejen took the glimmer of a sweet bowl filled with candy and turned it into a piece of jewelry with its “Candy Bowl” torque.
The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in an oblong bowl setting on a disc-shaped pendant made of 18-karat Fairmined yellow gold. The pendant connects to the torque via “Rock Sugar” chain links accented with 0.48 carats of diamonds.
The piece was one of the final designs created for Tejen’s latest “Rock Sugar” collection, “like icing the cake,” said Mark Kroeker, founder and artistic director of Tejen.
He explained that Australian white opals always attracted him because they look like hard candy.
However, the idea came to life when he was visiting an artist friend who had used super shiny small spoons during a catered event. Kroeker placed the opals on the spoon and began photographing the light effects in the opals as they moved on the silverware.
“It’s a kinetic collection—lapidary and gold spheres spin on axis, crushes of pavé chain slide on gold bar bells and here, with the torque, the fire of the opal is in constant movement as it spins in the reflective gold bowl,” said Kroeker.
The brand said the pendant was created as a minimalist sculpture that is an exploration of larger volumes in gold, but it also ushers in Kroeker becoming an ambassador of the Fairmined Gold Initiative.
Kroeker and the brand received the distinction last month, which is different from being Fairmined certified.
As an ambassador, the brand must embody a deeper commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, and advocacy for responsible artisanal and small-scale mining.
This includes being an active advocate, investing directly in mining communities through social impact projects, and being committed to ethical innovation, along with using Fairmined certified gold in all of the brand’s jewelry.
The Fairmined standard was created by the Alliance for Responsible Mining, a nonprofit that supports the development of artisanal and small-scale mining communities.
“As Tejen approaches its 10th anniversary, we are profoundly honored to be named a Fairmined ambassador, a distinction that reflects our commitment to the use of Fairmined gold in fine jewelry and objet d'art,” said Kroeker.
“This ambassadorship reinforces our dedication to responsible sourcing; the preservation, safety, and fair treatment of small artisanal mining communities through our support of The Alliance of Responsible Mining; The Fairmined Organization; and the belief that true luxury is defined not only by refinement but by integrity and purpose.”
More on Collections
The Latest
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
