Majors

Unique Designs Inks License Agreement with Lois Hill

MajorsMar 28, 2019

Unique Designs Inks License Agreement with Lois Hill

The fine jewelry manufacturer and wholesaler will ramp up the brand’s distribution in stores in North America and online.

20190328_Lois-Hill.jpg
Unique Designs has signed an agreement with Lois Hill to expand the jewelry brand’s distribution in North America. Pictured here is a handwoven weave bracelet in sterling silver from the brand’s Classic Collection ($750).

New York—Fine jewelry manufacturer and wholesaler Unique Designs has signed a license agreement with contemporary fine jewelry brand Lois Hill, effective March 15.

Under the deal, Unique Designs (d/b/a Kiran Jewels) will expand Lois Hill jewelry distribution, positioning the brand’s collections to be sold throughout North America in department stores, retail jewelry stores and online.

After years of research, travel and perfecting her jewelry-making techniques, Lois Hill established her eponymous brand in 1997.

Her team now includes hundreds of artisans, sales staff and other professionals.

Lois Hill jewelry is currently sold in major retailers and select independents in the U.S., as well as in the brand’s Seattle store.

The designer’s core business has been her sterling silver line, which ranges in reatil price from $75 to $1,500. She is expanding into diamond and sterling silver as well as 18-karat gold and sterling silver with and without gemstones, with prices ranging from $295 to $5,000.

She is also launching two-tone 18-karat gold and sterling silver jewelry with and without diamonds, priced at retail between $750 and $5,000.

Unique Designs CEO Tejas Shah said the Lois Hill brand’s global appeal offers the opportunity to scale the company’s business through the development of fashion-forward jewelry styles.

“With her innovative, contemporary designs and worldly spirit, Lois Hill is a perfect addition to our strong portfolio of fine jewelry brands. As a brand that resonates with consumers globally, we see significant opportunities for growth and look forward to leveraging our expertise to maximize its potential.”

Lois Hill said in a press release: “We are delighted to be working with Unique Designs and Tejas Shah, who are among the most progressive and innovative leaders in the fine jewelry industry. We have always had beautiful, handmade product and a great story. UDI’s strong position and solid relationships in the industry will give the Lois Hill Brand an incredible opportunity for multi-channel growth.”

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Michelle Yeoh Mikimoto
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.

GIA President and CEO Pritesh Patel at GIA Taiwan campus
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in Taiwan

It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.

Michael Angelo
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales Representative

The wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.

GIA iD100®
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Pandora and Foundrae medallion jewelry
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion Designs

Foundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.

Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
John Jacob Astor IV's Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co., Battin & Co. pencil case
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to Auction

A Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.

Stock image of a Shell gas station
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in March

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.

TopImageCrop.jpg
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

Zach Bear and the Window Necklace Children’s Book from Zachary’s Jewelers
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s Book

The retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.

Accredited Gemologists Association Logo
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant Applications

Applications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.

National Jeweler columnist and Smart Age founder and CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri Puzzle Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ Collection

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

Ashley Longshore in Buddha Mama jewelry
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in Dallas

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

Natural Diamond Council world diamond day
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.

Jillian Wolk, the new CEO of Tracr
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr

Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Tom Moses examining the “Motswedi” diamond
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

Oscar Heyman Spring Catalog Aquamarine and Diamond Necklace and Platinum Opal, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond Bracelet
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring Catalog

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Diavik Diamond Mine winter aerial shot
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from Diavik

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

Tanishq Westborough Massachusetts store
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England Location

The store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.

Saks Fifth Avenue door sign
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 Stores

Two Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.

Jimmy West celebrating 40 years with Leading Jewelers Guild
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

Itä Yari Whirl Ring Tesoro
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the Story

In the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.

Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th Anniversary

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.

Peter Smith Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales

“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.

Lionheart Cassandane Collection Campaign
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’

The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.

Instappraise NAJA
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New Scholarship

It’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.

CASE Awards Graphic
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE Awards

The deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.

×

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