MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2019
How Kismet by Milka Brought an Experience to Couture
The brand also celebrated 10 years of one of their most popular collections and introduced plenty of newness.
Piercing parties aren’t just for consumers. Kismet by Milka brought one to the trade at the recently concluded Couture show in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas—At Couture this year, Istanbul, Turkey-based brand Kismet by Milka decided to amplify the typical trade show booth interaction and create an experience.
Transforming shopping into an experience is a major trend in retail, but seen far less in the business-to-business space.
That didn’t stop Kismet by Milka designer and founder Milka Karaağaçlı from thinking outside the box.
In addition to the brand’s regular booth in the Wynn’s Latour ballroom, Karaağaçlı rented one of the hotel’s luxurious villa suites for a piercing party.
The two-day event saw more than 100 retailers, buyers, writers, and even other jewelry designers and their teams get pierced with a line of delicate 14-karat gold and diamond piercing jewelry Karaağaçlı created, including several styles from a new baguette diamond collection as well as updated versions of existing Kismet by Milka earrings.
The villa suite was transformed into a luxurious piercing salon, with industry folk milling about as they chose their piercing jewelry (offered at special industry pricing) and waited for their turn with celebrity piercer Brian Keith Thompson of Los Angeles’ Body Electric Tattoo.
This pendant was created in honor of the Kismet by Milka “Evil Eye” collection’s 10-year anniversary.
The collection features lots of statement pieces, like bold cocktail rings.
It also features Kismet by Milka’s signature dainty, layering pieces, like this earring that goes in two piercings.
A chic evil-eye take on a hoop earring
An evil eye signet ring
Walking the show, freshly-pierced Couture exhibitors and attendees were Kismet by Milka’s best advertisement, eager to show off their new jewels.
The experience helped draw attention to what Kismet by Milka had to offer this year, including the 10th anniversary of the brand’s best-selling evil eye collection, its take on the talisman so integral to Turkish and Mediterranean culture.
Expanding upon the motif, Karaağaçlı had an array of tiny evil eye studs perfect for (what else?) multiple piercings, as well as more elaborate cocktail rings and pendants.
Kismet by Milka also offered a totally new range, “Innerland,” inspired by travels through sub-Saharan Africa.
Karaağaçlı created pendants, bracelets, earrings, and rings depicting African masks and abstracted wildlife like lions, snakes, and birds. The collection had a distinctly tribal feel that fit in with the brand’s wide oeuvre through the incorporation of black and champagne diamonds.
Ear cuffs started as low as $250, with the vast majority of “Innerland” retailing for less than $5,000.
The new “Innerland” collection is inspired by the idea of a victorious female warrior returning home to Africa. It incorporates animal motifs like a lion.
This warrior-inspired motif is one of the collection’s more wearable pieces.
A mask pendant
Birds of prey feature heavily in the collection, like in this impressive earring.
Another abstracted motif, featured in earrings (as pictured), as well as chokers, bracelets and rings.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter PresidentThe announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
