CollectionsJul 08, 2025
Mikimoto’s High Jewelry Collection Turns Pearls into PetalsThe “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.
TechnologyMay 12, 2020
How 16 Designers Are Driving Consumer Interest During COVID-19
Essential Jewelry Collective is an Instagram account dedicated to promoting the designers’ work.
KatKim is one of 16 brands included in Essential Jewelry Collective, an Instagram account that cross-promotes the designers’ work.
New York—With non-essential businesses closed due to the global pandemic, 16 designers have banded together to show just how essential jewelry can be.
The Essential Jewelry Collective is an Instagram account dedicated to showcasing its designers’ work, encouraging consumer interest and providing a curated edit of gifting ideas.
Spearheaded by Heavenly Vices designer Samantha Jackson and author and jewelry journalist Beth Bernstein, the group says it represents a new way of shopping ushered in by COVID-19.
Bernstein explained, “The ideas sprouted from conversations about nurturing the designer end of the market while also offering consumers a respite from the concerns about the pandemic and easing their mind about the gift-giving season.”
Bernstein passed the idea along to Jackson, a friend from whom she’d purchased gifts before.
“I can have an idea or a sliver of an idea, and Samantha will take it and turn it into an entire program within the next hour,” Bernstein said.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Essential Jewelry Collective (@essentialjewelrycollective) on May 9, 2020 at 7:09pm PDT
Jackson explained: “I was a management consultant for almost 20 years, which trained me to develop creative solutions for tactical issues in service of a long-term strategic vision. That mindset continues to serve me well—once I buy into an idea, it is easy for me to formulate a plan to execute.”
Each Instagram post from Essential Jewelry Collective links to the respective designer’s account so shoppers can discover their e-commerce sites.
It takes advantage of designers’ ability to capitalize on direct online sales for in-stock merchandise as traditional retailers struggle with brick-and-mortar shutdowns.
They got 15 designers on board in addition to Heavenly Vices: Alberian & Aulde; Borgioni; Dana Bronfman; Grace Lee; Hannah Gard; Jade Trau; Karen Karch; KatKim; Linda Hoj; Michelle Fantaci; Moritz Glik; Orly Marcel; Robinson Pelham; Seal & Scribe; and Talon.
Essential Jewelry Collective launched ahead of Mother’s Day and is currently promoting gifting options for similar spring occasions, such as graduation.
“The designers who joined Essential Jewelry Collective understand that this is an important time of year for showing your loved ones how much you care—especially now when so many people can’t be with their families,” Bernstein said.
“And we see this type of direct-to-consumer retailing as something that signals the wave of the future.”
More on Technology
The Latest
ColumnistsJul 08, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Jewelers Struggle With Premium PricingLuxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsJul 08, 2025
David Rotenberg of David Craig Jewelers Dies at 79Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesJul 08, 2025
SMO Gold Launches New FoundationIn its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJul 07, 2025
Higher Tariffs Set to Take Effect Aug. 1, Officials SayThe announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.
MajorsJul 07, 2025
Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie To Step DownKellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CrimeJul 07, 2025
7 Suspects Charged in California Jewelry Store BurglaryPolice officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2025
Applications Open for Ella Klein Internship The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
