Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
IndependentsApr 13, 2020
Jewelry Designer Leila Tai Dies at 77
She passed away earlier this month after a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Jewelry designer Leila Tai, who grew up in Beirut and moved to New York in the early ‘70s, died earlier this month after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
New York—Leila Tai, an award-winning jewelry designer known for her kind and gentle demeanor, died April 2 after a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
She was 77.
Born Dec. 16, 1942, Tai was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon during the country’s “Golden Age.”
Growing up, she developed a passion for jewelry as an art form. She studied art at the American University of Beirut.
After graduation, Tai went on to earn her master’s in art, with a specialty in metal work and jewelry, from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
She made and sold her jewelry collections in Beirut for several years before returning to the United States, to New York, to begin what would turn out to be a long, fruitful career as a jewelry designer.
Tai designed fine jewelry for Van Cleef & Arpels and with French designer Jean Vitau, who died in 2011.
She also created fashion jewelry for Trifari, Monet and Liz Claiborne.
In 2009, after producing several collections of her own, she won the grand prize in the American Jewelry Design Council’s New Talent contest.
All throughout her career, Tai never stopped learning or teaching.
Tai studied ancient metalworking techniques at the Kulicke-Stark Academy (later the Jewelry Arts Institute).
She learned the technique of rendering using inks from jewelry design innovator Donald Claflin, who designed for David Webb, Van Cleef, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari before his untimely death in 1979.
She taught rendering and design at the Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute and Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tai enjoyed traveling, visiting museums and enjoying all New York City has to offer—shopping, fine dining, arts and culture—with her friends.
Longtime friend Pam Levine said her greatest pleasure, however, was the pride she took in in teaching jewelry-making and crafting her fine plique-à-jour enamel, silver and gold creations at her bench.
Tai is survived by her husband, Peter Shenkin of New York and one brother, Samir Chahrouri of Beirut, as well as by many professional colleagues, students, friends and other family members.
Condolences may be sent to her husband via email at shenkin@gmail.com, shared on Facebook, or mailed to 7734 Austin St., Apt. 6B , Forest Hills, NY 11375.
Donations in Tai’s memory may be made to Hand in Hand, an organization that operates schools that coeducate Arab and Jewish children in Israel.
Those interested in viewing her work can visit LeilaTaiDesign.com.
More on Independents
The Latest
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
