CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2016
JA New York Extending New Designer Gallery to Spring Show
The move is being made to commemorate the gallery’s 40th anniversary next year.
Represented here are pieces from the 10 designers chosen to exhibit in 2016’s New Designer Gallery.
New York--The JA New York trade show’s New Designer Gallery, which showcases a select group of jewelers making their fine jewelry trade show debut, will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2017.
To commemorate the milestone, JA New York will extend the New Designer Gallery, which was previously an exclusive feature of the Summer show, to its spring event, which is scheduled for March 12 to 14.
Mort Abelson, a former director of the show, initiated the New Designer Gallery in 1977. It helped to promote brands that went on to find huge industry success, designers like David Yurman, Penny Preville and Barry Kieselstein-Cord.
Abelson, show organizers said, effectively drove the American independent jewelry designer movement by connecting brands with fine jewelry retailers.
Now, the Mort Abelson Award is given annually to one designer from the gallery, who is selected by show-goers. Last year’s winner was Alexis Kletjian.
From top to bottom: Elisa Solomon Jewelry’s 18-karat rose gold ring with opal, white diamond and aquamarine ($1,210) and 18-karat rose gold ring with opal, white diamond and aquamarine ($1,360)
Salt + Stone’s 18-karat gold ring with custom-cut amethyst cabochon and green tsavorite ($1,450)
Santi Rom’s 14-karat gold medallion with black and champagne diamonds ($9,235)
Clockwise from left: Hannah Blount Jewelry’s oxidized sterling silver ring with a white diamond ($310), oxidized sterling silver ring without a diamond ($120), and 18-karat yellow gold ring with a white diamond ($1,440)
Adriatic Jewelry’s 14-karat gold rings with white sapphires ($250-$600 per style)
Rachael Sarc’s black rhodium-plated 18-karat white gold ring with white and multicolored diamond pavé ($13,660)
Alexis Kletjian Fine Jewelry’s 14-karat gold bracelet with emeralds ($5,800)
Emilie Shapiro’s 14-karat yellow gold ring with tanzanite and rough diamonds ($1,045)
Alexandra Gunn Designs’ 18-karat rose gold and silver ring with diamonds (price available upon request)
Acanthus’ oxidized silver and 24-karat yellow gold ear climbers with opals and black diamonds ($620)
Drew Lawsky, JA New York group show director, said, “Mort had an idea that was considered radical at the time, and based on this idea, he encouraged those first pioneering designers to leave the comfort of their craft and gift-focused worlds and enter the world of a true fine jewelry environment.”
“By giving those first designers access to traditional fine jewelry stores what Mort essentially accomplished was a total transformation of the industry as a whole. These designers placed a premium on creativity and craftsmanship, and not just the weight of the materials they used. By launching and nurturing the New Designer Gallery, retailers, and ultimately consumers, started to identify and demand designs with a distinct, individual point of view.”
Last summer, 10 designers were featured in the gallery. In addition to Kletjian, the group was comprised of Elisa Solomon, Santi Rom, Hannah Blount, Salt + Stone, Adriatic Jewelry, Rachael Sarc, Emilie Shapiro, Alexandra Gunn Designs and Acanthus.
Liz Kantner is the consultant who took on the task of selecting the featured designers in conjunction with JA New York in 2016; she replaced the late Cindy Edelstein.
“Designers accepted into the New Designer Gallery have a very unique opportunity to enter into an established fine jewelry exhibition,” said Kantner. “The friendships they develop with their fellow artists, the knowledge that they gain from others in the industry, and the relationships they form with retailers and press are invaluable to the future success of these brands.”
For additional information about the New Designer
Gallery, contact Michelle Orman at michelle@LastWordComm.com or (646) 302-5521. To submit an application to exhibit in the gallery, contact Liz Kantner at Elizabeth.Kantner@gmail.com.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of SalesCarrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
SourcingDec 12, 2024
De Beers Announces 2024 ‘Shining Light’ Award WinnersThe competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
CollectionsDec 12, 2024
The Jared Atelier x Vera Wang Collection Emphasizes EleganceThe high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.
