TrendsDec 08, 2023
Pantone’s Color of the Year Is Warm and FuzzyThe peachy hue also marks the program’s 25th anniversary.
Events & AwardsAug 10, 2016
New ‘Luxury Jewelry Event’ Launching in New York
Metal + Smith features a select group of fine jewelry designers and is scheduled to take place Sept. 19.
Taking place Sept. 19 in New York, Metal + Smith will connect a small group of invited designers exhibiting their jewelry with retailers, who can place orders on the spot.
New York--To be clear, Metal + Smith is a trade show.
Scheduled to take place Sept. 19 in New York, Metal + Smith will host a small, invited group of independent designers who will showcase their jewelry to retailers.
But the team behind Metal + Smith balks at the term “trade show.” Their goal is to create an anti-trade show experience.
“We’re very careful not to use those words,” said Metal + Smith co-founder Lee Wright of the t- and s-words, “because we’re not a trade show. Even though we are retail focused, it’s about a more intimate relationship between the designer and whoever that guest is.”
“We consider ourselves a luxury event and we’re very specific and deliberate in not using the term ‘show’ or ‘trade’ in our own marketing,” said Metal + Smith executive and venture capitalist Lara Ervin.
Got it. But if Metal + Smith is a “luxury event” during which jewelry designers exhibit their work and retailers are able to place orders, what exactly is the difference?
Ervin explained, “We are different because our cost is significantly less, because we’re more concerned with having the right assortment (of designers) rather than just warehousing brands that can pay 20 to 40 grand to attend a show. We want our space to feel more like a private shopping experience rather than a noisy, crowded convention center, which we don’t think really bodes nicely with the term ‘luxury’ when you’re thinking of fine jewelry. We wanted it to feel more like when you go into Cartier or you go into Tiffany’s.”
“The biggest part of how we differ would be the focus,” said Wright. “We don’t have 500 brands exhibiting, we max out at 50 and that is because we think that’s enough for people coming to be able to see and digest, which I think a lot of my friends who are buyers simply can’t do, due to the size and expanse of tradeshows,” Wright said.
Wright’s background is in luxury branding. She and her Metal + Smith co-founder Nicole Barklayv, a luxury public relations professional, came up with the idea of hosting a small, curated trade show focused on creating a positive experience for designers two years ago.
“We have heard over and over, the brands lamenting about, ‘Gosh, there’s really nothing for us. We’re feeling underrepresented. We’re not feeling the success that we thought we would from doing
these types of shows that come so highly recommended,’” Wright said.
Wright and Barklayv enlisted a group of retail jewelry buyers and bloggers to handle the selection of designers invited to exhibit at Metal + Smith. “It was important to us to work with advisors who were young and hip and fresh and had a good pulse on what was happening in the jewelry space,” said Wright.
“The retailers were important because you can have a beautiful piece of jewelry and not be marketable for whatever reason, so we wanted to focus on what they’re buying as buyers,” added Ervin.
Between 1,100 and 1,200 editors, retailers, stylists and influencers have been invited to the one-day only show at the Mercantile Annex in Manhattan.
Designers participating include Dana Bronfman, Ilana Ariel, Kataoka, Margery Hirschey, Roule and Co., Selin Kent, Tap by Todd Pownell and Yael Sonia.
The Metal + Smith team hopes to host their event two to three times per year, eventually moving into other cities.
“We want to achieve a very prestigious place in the whole jewelry circuit,” said Wright. “We want our brands to know that we put them first. We want our brands to know that we are doing all of this in an effort to help them stand apart. We know we’re only as good as our brands.”
Echoed Ervin, “We’ve gotten brands who are coming all the way from Israel, who have never done a show at market or (brands that) have done a show at market coming from Japan. That tells us that what we’re doing is right, not just because we have New York brands or L.A. brands coming but because people are crossing oceans to get here for Metal + Smith and that’s important to note in your story.”
Noted.
Metal + Smith is scheduled to take place Sept. 19 from 1 to 9 p.m. For more information visit MetalAndSmith.com.
Wright and Barklayv enlisted a group of retail jewelry buyers and bloggers to handle the selection of designers invited to exhibit at Metal + Smith. “It was important to us to work with advisors who were young and hip and fresh and had a good pulse on what was happening in the jewelry space,” said Wright.
“The retailers were important because you can have a beautiful piece of jewelry and not be marketable for whatever reason, so we wanted to focus on what they’re buying as buyers,” added Ervin.
Between 1,100 and 1,200 editors, retailers, stylists and influencers have been invited to the one-day only show at the Mercantile Annex in Manhattan.
Designers participating include Dana Bronfman, Ilana Ariel, Kataoka, Margery Hirschey, Roule and Co., Selin Kent, Tap by Todd Pownell and Yael Sonia.
The Metal + Smith team hopes to host their event two to three times per year, eventually moving into other cities.
“We want to achieve a very prestigious place in the whole jewelry circuit,” said Wright. “We want our brands to know that we put them first. We want our brands to know that we are doing all of this in an effort to help them stand apart. We know we’re only as good as our brands.”
Echoed Ervin, “We’ve gotten brands who are coming all the way from Israel, who have never done a show at market or (brands that) have done a show at market coming from Japan. That tells us that what we’re doing is right, not just because we have New York brands or L.A. brands coming but because people are crossing oceans to get here for Metal + Smith and that’s important to note in your story.”
Noted.
Metal + Smith is scheduled to take place Sept. 19 from 1 to 9 p.m. For more information visit MetalAndSmith.com.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsDec 08, 2023
Sotheby’s Sold All Mary Tyler Moore’s JewelryThe 21 pieces up for auction, including Tiffany & Co. jewels and a Cartier watch, garnered more than $430,000 across two sales.
CollectionsDec 08, 2023
Piece of the Week: A ‘Strong & Precious’ Brooch Centered on a sunny heliodor, the “Links” pin was designed by Ukrainian jewelry artist Inesa Kovalova.
Brought to you by
The Most Important “C” in Diamonds: Confidence!Without the ability to instill confidence within the industry and directly to the consumer, a diamond holds very little value.
MajorsDec 07, 2023
Lashbrook Sues Manly Bands for Allegedly Copying Designs The wedding band company is also accusing its former customer of removing watermarks from Lashbrook images for its own use.
Weekly QuizDec 07, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Policies & IssuesDec 07, 2023
The G7’s Long-Awaited Statement on Russian Diamonds Is Here It provides a timeline for the implementation of new restrictions, but no details.
MajorsDec 07, 2023
24 Karat Club of New York Welcomes New MembersThe organization has elected 12 new additions.
Brought to you by
If It’s Custom, Make It PlatinumWith holiday proposals right around the corner, encourage your customers to go for platinum when making the big purchase.
ColumnistsDec 06, 2023
On Data: How Are Independents Doing So Far This Holiday Season? Sherry Smith breaks down the numbers on jewelry sales in November and reveals the category that “emerged as a standout.”
AuctionsDec 06, 2023
A Yellow Diamond, Hollywood Jewels Stand Out at Sotheby’s Additional lots will be offered in the Fine Jewels online sale through Dec. 7.
GradingDec 06, 2023
GIA Debuts Revamped Graduate Jeweler ProgramBy mixing creative and practical skills, the new course hopes to fill the industry’s bench jeweler gap.
AuctionsDec 06, 2023
Verdura Cuff, Burmese Sapphire Shine at Bonhams Several other colored gemstones joined the pieces in the top 10 list.
FinancialsDec 05, 2023
Signet Jewelers’ Q3 Sales Down 12% The retailer is still expecting a strong holiday season with improving demand for natural diamonds.
CrimeDec 05, 2023
Police Continue to Investigate Murder of Colorado Jeweler Peter Damian Arguello, the owner of Peter Damian Fine Jewelry & Antiques, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery last week.
MajorsDec 05, 2023
Tanishq Continues U.S. Expansion With 2 New StoresThe Indian jewelry giant has opened locations in Houston and Frisco, Texas.
SourcingDec 05, 2023
Grandview Klein Awards Two Scholarships in NamibiaEach student was provided with the full amount of tuition for the Namibia University of Science & Technology.
SourcingDec 04, 2023
David Prager To Leave De Beers in 2024Ryan Perry, who has been with De Beers since 2002, also will be leaving the company next year.
WatchesDec 04, 2023
Chrono24 Debuts the ‘Dow Jones’ for Luxury WatchesThe watch seller’s new index tracks sales data from 14 brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
MajorsDec 04, 2023
David Bouffard to Leave Signet, RJCThe industry veteran will step down from both roles in April 2024.
TrendsDec 04, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Decadent DecemberTanzanite, turquoise, and zircon are all options for December babies, who sometimes “get the birthday shaft,” Amanda Gizzi writes.
Lab-GrownDec 01, 2023
Lightbox Teams Up With Brand Founded by Former Tiffany ExecThe lab-grown diamond brand also collaborated with the website The Future Rocks on a collection launching today.
FinancialsDec 01, 2023
Movado Lowers Guidance Again After Q3 Sales DipThe company said it is facing a “challenging retail environment” but is prepared for the holiday season.
CollectionsDec 01, 2023
Piece of the Week: Muzo’s Emerald and Argyle Pink Diamond NecklaceIt’s the hero piece of the newest "Green Jewel" collection, a collaborative offering from the two mines.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
This Pink Diamond Reigned Supreme in Hong KongThe 15.48-carat fancy intense “Pink Supreme” topped Christie’s fall jewelry auction in Asia, while a Patek Philippe led the watch sale.
MajorsNov 30, 2023
Claire’s Hires Former Bath & Body Works Exec as CFO, COOChris Cramer, who also spent time at Gen Z intimates brand Parade, will take on the dual role.
AuctionsNov 30, 2023
Sotheby’s To Auction 133-Carat Yellow DiamondThe stone headlining the upcoming sale could fetch up to $5 million.
IndependentsNov 30, 2023
Frank Adams Rolls Out Kwiat’s ‘Mine to Shine’ ProgramThe retail offering lets customers track their diamond’s journey.
