TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilTechnologyMar 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.
Cast recently relaunched online with the introduction of a new reversible “Compass” pendant. It’s seen here in the “Voyager” colorway, which is sterling silver and 14-karat gold with malachite, turquoise, and sky-blue topaz on one side and diamonds on the reverse ($3,250 full size, $850 mini).
San Francisco—Less than a year after announcing the closure of its stores and website, California-based jewelry company Cast relaunched its business earlier this year.
Cast, which previously operated three brick-and-mortar stores, is now functioning as an online-only business, owner Rachel Skelly said in an interview with National Jeweler last month.
Its first product drop includes the launch of the reversible “Compass” pendant featuring the brand’s “Flip” design, along with a curated collection of natural diamond and colored gemstone pieces, and new colorways in its “Flip” rings.
Skelly, alongside co-founder and fellow entrepreneur Eric Ryan, launched the business in 2021.
The company originally focused on retail, selling jewelry through its Bay Area stores, as well as collaborating with celebrities like actress Issa Rae on unique collections and partnering with Nordstrom on the in-store activation called “StyleBar.”
Last summer, Skelly posted a video to Instagram announcing that Cast would be closing; operating costs had gotten too high, she told National Jeweler.
She said in the video that she had acquired Cast’s intellectual property, patents, and trademarks and would be relaunching the business.
“It felt like the whole story was cut short, and it was,” she said in the interview.
“There is so much that was working, and I love the product. I love our clients, and there's such a great community. We had been building, and the brand had been resonating, and I, personally, was just not done.”
Related stories will be right here …
Cast, which previously operated three brick-and-mortar stores, is now functioning as an online-only business, owner Rachel Skelly said in an interview with National Jeweler last month.
Its first product drop includes the launch of the reversible “Compass” pendant featuring the brand’s “Flip” design, along with a curated collection of natural diamond and colored gemstone pieces, and new colorways in its “Flip” rings.
Skelly, alongside co-founder and fellow entrepreneur Eric Ryan, launched the business in 2021.
The company originally focused on retail, selling jewelry through its Bay Area stores, as well as collaborating with celebrities like actress Issa Rae on unique collections and partnering with Nordstrom on the in-store activation called “StyleBar.”
Last summer, Skelly posted a video to Instagram announcing that Cast would be closing; operating costs had gotten too high, she told National Jeweler.
She said in the video that she had acquired Cast’s intellectual property, patents, and trademarks and would be relaunching the business.
“It felt like the whole story was cut short, and it was,” she said in the interview.
“There is so much that was working, and I love the product. I love our clients, and there's such a great community. We had been building, and the brand had been resonating, and I, personally, was just not done.”
Skelly is doing a few things differently for “Cast 2.0,” as she calls it.
“I’m fundraising in a very different way. I’m focusing on a smaller raise, looking for people focused on female founders, on consumer brands, and in the fashion luxury space,” she said.
“And I’m also focusing on more angel, early, pre-seed type funding. I'm really trying to raise as little as I need to sustainably get the business up and running,” she said.
The female-founder language is also more at the forefront of Cast’s marketing than it was previously.
“We were primarily female-led, and our crew was mostly women, which I was super proud of, as was [Ryan]. It was a big part of our story, but we also had so many other stories to tell,” Skelly said.
“Now that it’s just me as a founder on my own, and I’m bringing back my team—in bits and pieces, as I can—of all women, I feel really proud of that.”
Before Cast collapsed last year, Skelly served as its chief creative officer, collaborating with designers on pieces exclusive to the brand, and curating limited-time offerings from “guest brands.”
Now, she’s doing more of the ideating herself.
The new “Compass” pendant, available in two colorways, each with a “mini” option, is her own design, inspired by her personal journey in bringing the brand back.
The “Compass” pendant in the colorway “Nomad” is made in 14-karat gold and features black onyx, tiger eye, and citrine on one side, and diamonds on the other ($7,950 full size, $1,250 mini).
“I was thinking about my journey and how I’ve just been so focused on like my North Star and not losing sight of that, even when everything else seems like it’s over … The idea of a compass came to me because it’s such the perfect symbol of centering yourself and trusting your gut,” she said.
Her other considerations for the future include finding a way to bring back customization options and exploring an expansion into wholesale.
“In our stores, you could come in and choose exactly the stones you wanted in your ‘Flip’ rings, so you could make your own colorways, and then we would custom make it for you,” Skelly explained.
“That’s something I want to be able to offer online, but it’s a little more complicated.”
“And,” she continued, “because we don't have physical stores, my plan is to also lean in on trunk shows, especially this year as we ramp up, and I hope to get into some small wholesale accounts by the end of the year. I think trunk shows can be a great way for us to get out there in front new customers.”
Skelly comes from a background in graphic design and previously worked in creative direction roles for wellness brands Plum Organics and Olly.
Ownership is an exciting and challenging new venture.
It was her passion for self-expression that ultimately drove her to fight for the brand.
“When I was in high school, I had rings on every single finger, my thumbs, and my second knuckles. I had rings on my toes. I was that girl with a million piercings,” she said.
“There’s something about that self-expression that has always been innate in me, and I think in all of us. We want to share our story. We want to be understood. There’s something we want the world to understand about us, and I feel like fine jewelry is a really amazing and beautiful way to do that.”
More on Technology
The Latest
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
