Events & Awards

Meet JA New York’s New Designer Gallery

Events & AwardsJul 11, 2018

Meet JA New York’s New Designer Gallery

Eleven new faces will make their jewelry trade show debuts this weekend.

20180711_JANewDesigner-maycamehome.jpg
May Came Home, the brand created by designer Deborah Halperin, is behind these eye-catching enamel pendants. The brand will showcase its work at the JA New York jewelry trade show as part of the New Designer Gallery.

New York--At the upcoming JA New York Summer show, 10 brands will make their jewelry trade show debuts.

Exhibiting in the show’s New Designer Gallery, here’s a sneak peek of what this fresh crop of designers has to offer.



Brand: Victoria Young

Design Style: Sleek satin finishes accentuate the brand’s mature take on elegant stacking bands and drop earrings.

Don’t Miss: The geometric hoop earrings. Just when you thought you’d seen every variation of a hoop imaginable, Victoria Young has brought something new to the game.



Brand: May Came Home

Design Style: Vivid enamel in colors reminiscent of pop art are the signature element uniting May Came Home pendants and signet rings.

Interesting to Note: Designer Deborah Halperin boasts an impressive set of credentials, including degrees from FIT and Pratt, and stints at Robert Lee Morris and Tiffany & Co. She formerly had an eponymous jewelry line. 


Brand: Susan Highsmith

Design Style: Intricate hand-carved details lend a special romanticism to Susan Highsmith’s engagement rings, earrings and pendants.

Fun Fact: The current Brooklynite and Illinois native is inspired by her father’s cousin, Richard Nickel, who devoted his life to preserving Chicago’s architecture.



Brand: Merzatta

Design Style: The art jewelry brand is focused on communicating natural textures through jewelry; think entire collections dedicated to capturing the porousness of pinecones or delicate laciness of sea fan coral.

Interesting to Note: The collection is designed by a husband-and-wife duo who met in art school.



Brand: Jill Kathleen Designs

Design Style: Jill Kathleen Designs is inspired by Baroque and Victorian ornamentation, but modernizes these influences for the 21st century woman.

Don’t Miss: Her sculptural Fairmined gold and fair trade gemstone and diamond engagement rings with their unique-yet-understated settings.


Brand: Hi June Parker

Design Style: Hi June Parker shines a spotlight on what might typically be ignored—negative spaces, accentuating them with contrasting pops of diamonds and gemstones.

Fun Fact: Her signature “Cross-Sections” motif was inspired by examining objects from different angles in appreciation of their structures not readily apparent to the eye.



Brand: Darsana

Design Style: Darsana is comprised of sentimental pieces meant to be passed down to future generations that incorporate pieces of antique mirror set in gold.

Fun Fact: The first piece of jewelry she made was a one of her signature mirror pendants for her daughter Lucy upon her high school graduation.


Brand: Aimee Kennedy

Design Style: Aimee Kennedy is a seller of alternative engagement rings, pairing
non-traditional stones like champagne and black diamonds with both contemporary and more antique-inspired settings.

Don’t Miss: The brand’s stacking bands, a fun alternative to the solitaire bridal style.



Brand: Emily Kuvin

Design Style: Wearable, everyday-appropriate items constitute the core of Emily Kuvin’s creations, interlaced with subtle pops of color.

Don’t Miss: The brand’s signature starburst motif, which is organic in shape and bold in appearance.



Brand: Imperfect Grace

Design Style: Reminiscent of building blocks, many of Imperfect Grace’s geometric wares, such as the stacking rings, nestle into each other.

Perfect For: The self-purchaser who likes her jewelry fun but with a little edge courtesy of rhodium-plated sterling silver.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Stock image of rough diamonds from the Kimberley mine
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says

The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.

Pomellato Mini London blue topaz and diamond bracelet
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%

The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.

Zadok Rolex Austin
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in Austin

Its opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Crowd of people in a shopping mall
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in July

Respondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Weekly QuizJul 25, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Making a Killing in Diamonds by Rob Bates
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series

“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.

Tacori bezel-set diamond bands
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LA

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Auctim emerald auction
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough Emeralds

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

AGS Board President for 2025-2026 Alexis Padis
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President

She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

Nanis Ipanema Collection Campaign
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

Kevin O’ Leary and George Mayer of The 1916 Company
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance Platform

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

Sissy’s new Little Rock store
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.

Jemma Wynne Forme Toggle Necklace
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ Necklace

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Bulgari Celestial Mosaic spinel necklace
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

De Beers marine mining vessel the SS Nujoma
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

Francesca Villa Fantasia Collection The Crab Pendant, The Mermaid Pendant, Keep Dancing Seahorse Pendant, Keep Dancing Ladybug Pendant, Secret Dreams Pendant, The Puffer Fish Takes Flight Pendant
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

Breitling’s special Eagles Super Bowl watch on gold bracelet
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

Silvia Furmanovich Kasmir Collection Carnelian Bracelet and Sketch
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern India

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Bench jeweler holding a bracelet and a tool
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
Montreal’s Ecksand Eyes Move to SoHo

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

LAFD Fire Station 44 and Fire Station 16
IndependentsJul 23, 2025
IJO Raises Nearly $37K for LA Fire Relief

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

A Vanitas by Hannah Martin and Guy Berryman Sothebys
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s London

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

Cover of the book “Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History”
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the Holidays

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

×

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