EditorsFeb 25, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s New Shop-in-Shop EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LA
Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Bezel-set diamond bands from Tacori’s “Couples” collection. National Jeweler Senior Editor Lenore Fedow recently toured Tacori’s design studio in California.
One of my favorite aspects of my job here at National Jeweler is that I’m always learning something new.
I’ve been an National Jeweler editor for more than six years now (unbelievable!) and I’m not sure I’ve even scratched the surface of all the knowledge the jewelry industry holds.
I’ve learned a lot about retail, marketing, diamonds, and colored gemstones, and met with many designers and brands.
I’ve earned my applied jewelry professional (AJP) certificate from GIA and completed a pearls course offered by the Cultured Pearl Association of America.
Something I didn’t know much about until recently is perhaps the most crucial link in the jewelry supply chain—how the jewelry is made.
I did spend one day as a bench jeweler at the Miami Jewelry School on a press trip with Platinum Guild International in 2024. (My takeaway from that experience was, I am not ready to be a bench jeweler!)
I’ve been an National Jeweler editor for more than six years now (unbelievable!) and I’m not sure I’ve even scratched the surface of all the knowledge the jewelry industry holds.
I’ve learned a lot about retail, marketing, diamonds, and colored gemstones, and met with many designers and brands.
I’ve earned my applied jewelry professional (AJP) certificate from GIA and completed a pearls course offered by the Cultured Pearl Association of America.
Something I didn’t know much about until recently is perhaps the most crucial link in the jewelry supply chain—how the jewelry is made.
I did spend one day as a bench jeweler at the Miami Jewelry School on a press trip with Platinum Guild International in 2024. (My takeaway from that experience was, I am not ready to be a bench jeweler!)
So, when Tacori reached out and asked if I’d like to fly out to Los Angeles for a behind-the-scenes tour of its design studio, I said yes.
My previous “Out & About” story was about my trip to Maryland to see Tacori’s new shop-in-shop experience, so I thought I knew the brand pretty well.
Yet, as I’m constantly discovering, there is always more to learn.
In late April, I arrived at the studio with a handful of fellow journalists. The outside is understandably nondescript but the inside is very Tacori, with its branding and signature blue hue seen throughout the space.
The biggest surprise for me was how many bench jewelers were there, especially given the shortage I’ve so often heard about.
I’m also always curious what people’s offices look like, from the wall art to the personal touches.
Well, another surprise was that CEO Paul Tacorian and Head of Design Nadine Tacorian Azerounian don’t have offices.
While their father, Tacori founder Haig Tacorian, has an office, Paul and Nadine’s desks are out in the open on the work floor. It makes for better communications, they said.
There was a friendly vibe throughout the design studio, which makes sense considering how all these moving parts need to work together throughout this long process.
For the visual learners, I take you through Tacori’s jewelry-making process via an Instagram Reel on the National Jeweler account, which you can watch below.
I’m sure many of our readers already know how this works, but I’d bet there are many of you out there who, like me, will be fascinated by the process.
Nadine led our tour and, as the brand’s head of design, had a lot of insight into the design process, including classics, like the Tacori Crescent, and the new designs that debuted at Couture in June.
The designs travel from the team’s imagination to a CAD sketch, which look incredibly realistic, by the way. Then, using a 3D printer, they create a wax mold.
This is a “tree” of wax molds. Using the lost-wax casting process, the molds are filled with liquid metal. The wax then melts away to reveal the design.
The molds are then filled with liquid metal. The wax melts away and you’re left with your design.
Then comes the polishing, the stone setting, and the finishing touches.
I walked away from my visit with Tacori with two key takeaways.
First, I had no idea how much of this work was done by hand.
When I think of manufacturing, I envision assembly lines and machines spitting out finished products.
Despite all the fancy equipment and expensive machines I saw at Tacori, a lot of work was still done by a bench jeweler.
I can only imagine the training it takes to create these intricate, delicate designs out of metal.
Tacori let us try on a few rings to see the finished product for ourselves. I’m a marquise girl, through and through.
Bringing manufacturing back to America is a hot topic, and so it was interesting to see what that entails and just how many skilled workers we’d need to make that happen.
My second takeaway was how enthusiastic everyone was about their own department.
Paul and Nadine seemed genuinely excited to show us around.
The casting department was ready to explain every step of the process.
The diamond sorters wanted to show us how their machines worked.
The people who set the stones couldn’t wait to explain to us what French pavé is.
I imagine they were eager to share their contributions to the process with us because their work goes unseen and unnoticed by the general public.
People may be familiar with brands and designers, but they don’t think about who’s polishing the metal or setting the stone.
It reminded me of jewelry designer Marla Aaron’s acceptance speech at Gem Awards in 2024, when she thanked the bench jewelers on 47th Street who bring her designs to life.
It’s all nebulous creativity until a craftsperson turns an idea into a tangible piece of jewelry.
The employees at Tacori take a lot of pride in their work and it shows in the final product.
The industry has been having conversations about how to solve the bench jeweler shortage and inspire the next generation to take up the trade, and I hope my bringing awareness to the importance of the work is a small contribution to the cause.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
