Technology

Stone & Strand’s CEO On Launching Private Label

TechnologyMay 31, 2017

Stone & Strand’s CEO On Launching Private Label

Nadine McCarthy Kahane also spoke to National Jeweler about a recent bridal collaboration with Jemma Wynne on the e-commerce site.

20170531_SandS-header.jpg
Stone & Strand’s eponymous fine jewelry collection offers basic styles at millennial-friendly price points.
New York--In the digital realm a few years is a lifetime, and in the four years since e-commerce fine jewelry site Stone & Strand launched, it’s evolved accordingly.

What started as a purely online space branched into an omnichannel retail venture with the addition of a by-appointment showroom in New York City.

Last year, the company quietly introduced an in-house, eponymous private label, which contains various sub-labels, or collections grouped by trend, to its website. 

National Jeweler chatted with CEO and founder Nadine McCarthy Kahane on Stone & Strand the company, Stone & Strand the label, as well as the online retailer’s recent bridal collaboration with Jemma Wynne.


Stone & Strand founder and CEO Nadine McCarthy Kahane
Stone & Strand founder and CEO Nadine McCarthy Kahane

National Jeweler: Describe the visual philosophy of the Stone & Strand label.

Nadine McCarthy Kahane: The line is designed to provide our customers with stylish basics at great price points.

We sell studs individually so it ranges from $65 for a single earring to around $1,000 (for a larger piece).

NJ: What led you to create an in-house brand?

NMK: We really felt lucky to be in a place where we worked with such an amazing group of creative designers and we were really pleased with the curation we had on our website. At the same time, we had customers who were asking for that basic stud to wear with, for example, a more interesting Jacquie Aiche ear cuff or ear jacket, and that was one thing, which, as a non-traditional jewelry store, we just didn’t have to offer.

So the line really came from that customer demand and customer requests that we were getting on a very consistent basis.

NJ: How are your customers responding to it so far?

NMK: It’s really had an incredible response. In terms of revenue and volume, it’s just seen incredible month-to-month growth since we’ve launched. 

I think one of the things that we’re most excited by is that it is really something that is quite complimentary to what we have on offer from our designers, so we often see people buying multiple pieces. For example, they buy two or three earrings and the basic studs would be from us but maybe they throw something in that’s a little more fashion-forward from (jewelry brand) EF Collection as well.

 
 

NJ: What is the design process like? Where is the jewelry made?

NMK: It’s designed in-house. We have a really great former  editor whom we’re working with who provides us with the designs and obviously a technical team that turns that into reality.  Right now everything is manufactured in New York but depending on how the collection evolves, we’d always look to manufacture in a place that makes the most sense for the type of work we’re doing. 
NJ: You also launched a six-style bridal collection in collaboration with Jemma Wynne this year. How did that project originate?

NMK: That really came about quite organically as a meeting of minds for both parties.

We were interested in doing a very unique bridal collaboration that, for us, was the sort of ultimate dream capsule, and we wanted to find someone to partner with whom we thought could really bring that special creative energy to the table.

And, at the same time, Jemma Wynne was looking to do something a little more accessible in the bridal space. We were both really excited by the idea of trying to reinvent the traditional solitaire and produce something that’s fresh and modern and relevant to our girl.

NJ: Why was Jemma Wynne the right fit for your customer?

NMK: They have that incredible timeless and luxurious brand and product quality, which we can stand by, from being made in New York to also using 18-karat gold, which isn’t a material that we typically offer for everyday pieces. We felt that for a bridal purchase we wanted to be able to offer something to our customer that was a little bit more luxurious because it really is a piece that they’re going to own forever.


Here are five of the six bridal styles Jemma Wynne created in collaboration with Stone & Strand. The range starts at $2,520 retail for the setting only, with the most expensive style selling for $9,870 for the setting only.
Here are five of the six bridal styles Jemma Wynne created in collaboration with Stone & Strand. The range starts at $2,520 retail for the setting only, with the most expensive style selling for $9,870 for the setting only.

NJ: In the four years that you’ve been in business, what have you learned about your customer? Has your understanding of them changed in that time?

NMK: Definitely. I would say that we are just so much more focused than we ever have been on targeting the female millennial customer.

When we first launched, we carried a broader selection but we found that this (the female millennial customer) was the customer we knew best and who was responding to us, so more than ever we’ve fine-tuned our merchandise selection to really offer her what she wants, as opposed to catering to a larger audience.

NJ: Are there other brand collaborations planned for the future?

NMK: We see partnerships as a key way to be able to offer something special and more unusual to our customer, so that’s actually something we’ll be doing a little bit more of going forward.

These partnerships happen very organically so the pace sort of depends on whom we meet and whether there’s a strong connection, so to speak.

NJ: What’s next for the Stone and Strand in-house line?

NRK: We are constantly looking to offer our customers something fresh, and the nice thing about being online is that it does allow us to experiment with different styles on a very regular basis so that’s something that we’re looking to introduce in a consistent way.

We tend to add something new every two weeks.

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy