SourcingJul 02, 2026
London Diamond Bourse Elects First Female PresidentCharlotte Rose said her election is “a sign that this is an industry capable of change.”
EditorsJun 02, 2012
Jewelry of the 'Shadows'
When my first son was very young and very sick and spending too much time in operating rooms and intensive care, I sought a diversion to distract him from what was happening. Portable DVD players were just becoming available. So...
When my first son was very young and very sick and spending too much time in operating rooms and intensive care, I sought a diversion to distract him from what was happening. Portable DVD players were just becoming available. So what we landed on was watching movies--specifically, the classic monster movies by Universal: Frankenstein, Dracula, the Hunchback, The Mummy, the Wolf Man and so on. Lying together on his gurney in those rooms, we screened film after film. We bought matching action figure collectables. We tuned out all the negativity going on around us.
An unintended side effect was--after we had gotten past those hard times--that we had turned our son into a horror genre junkie. Several years later, then, we embarked on an associated journey that has lasted years now.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, television produced a soap opera that centered on the supernatural. "Dark Shadows" had begun as a somewhat normal soap with a Gothic-romantic theme. But when it attracted only limited audiences and faced cancellation, producer Dan Curtis took a leap that could only have been broached in those early days of television. He introduced a vampire, who quickly captured the imagination of, predominantly, America's youth and went on to become the main character, resuscitating the show in the process. As months passed, vampire Barnabas Collins was joined by a closet-full of ghosts, werewolves, witches, zombies, warlocks, demons and other creatures of the night--a child's lurid delight!
Now, Dark Shadows' legacy has been revitalized by Tim Burton's Hollywood feature starring Johnny Depp (who, by the way, started his career with a supporting role in the horror classic "Nightmare on Elm Street" and is a self-avowed Dark Shadows fan).
What's exceptional for our business is the starring role played in Dark Shadows by fine jewelry. In fact, jewelry was the very plot element used to usher the vampire into the show. Willie Loomis, a con man living in the Victorian Maine mansion of the wealthy Collins family, learned that family ancestors had historically embraced the practice of being buried with their jewelry. His next step, of course, was to break into the Collins mausoleum and begin prying open coffins. Two centuries earlier, the vampire had been locked and chained in a coffin in a secret room by his father. When Loomis raised that lid, out came Barnabas and his fury.
Over
subsequent episodes (1225 in total, all of which my son and I have personally viewed, many twice--Dark Shadows enjoys the status of having been the only soap opera ever to have had every single episode recorded), jewelry continued to take center stage--pendants and amulets, silver pentagrams; the vampire's ring itself was of such notoriety it launched an early version of targeted children's novelties marketing.
The show's plot regularly hinged on elements such as misplaced earrings. Overall, fine jewelry was key in defining the leading family's societal position of power and authority--a model for American royalty and a supporting statement of the substantial importance of luxury accessories for the affluent.
The vampire's ring, in 9-carat rose gold and onyx.
Needless to say, I was thrilled to learn that British designer Stephen Einhorn was unveiling a bespoke collection for Burton's film. Einhorn created pieces for the vampire's love-nemesis, Angelique the witch, as well as the vampire himself, among others.
"I had to make two different sized rings for Johnny Depp's character, as Tim Burton and Johnny Depp liked it so much they wanted it to be worn throughout the film--one for his extended finger and one to wear over his gloves," he explains.
Popular culture reference is critical in establishing and defining the meaning of our product. Four decades ago, there was no question as to the desirability of fine jewelry and its position in the cultural mindset as a symbol of elite status. Royalty and captains of industry naturally embraced it as core to their lifestyles and images. Today, we are the stewards of this heritage and must keep a keen eye toward supplying anything that may sully its image with a strategically placed stake to the heart.
More on Editors
The Latest
Supplier BulletinJul 02, 2026
Elevating Retail Showcases with Today's Necklace & Bracelet TrendsSponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
TrendsJul 02, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Flag Brooch Celebrates AmericaThe American jewelry house, founded by Latvian immigrants, has been creating American flag brooches since 1917.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
IndependentsJul 02, 2026
D. Geller & Son Partners with KSU Art Students on Store MuralThe artwork celebrates the Atlanta jeweler’s legacy and symbolizes its commitment to supporting local artists and its community.
Weekly QuizJul 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 02, 2026
Stratus Estate Buyers Offers Jewelers Turnkey Buying EventsIts team can evaluate jewelry and watches, as well as luxury handbags, artwork, and collectibles.
SurveysJul 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JuneFalling oil prices were a factor in the slight month-over-month improvement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CollectionsJul 01, 2026
Rio Grande Launches First Finished Bridal CollectionThe new offering comprises more than 120 bridal and engagement ring styles with natural and lab-grown diamonds.
WatchesJul 01, 2026
Rolex Unveils Clock at Rockefeller CenterThe clock is part of the celebration for the soon-to-open Rolex headquarters on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
IndependentsJul 01, 2026
Kristen Cannon of Valobra Master Jewelers Dies at 49The public relations professional is remembered for her benevolent generosity and unwavering commitment to those around her.
WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
