TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
MajorsSep 06, 2019
Saks Fifth Avenue Opens ‘The Vault’
The luxury retailer more than doubled the space dedicated to high jewelry and timepieces at its New York City flagship store.
Saks Fifth Avenue just opened The Vault, which features six jewelry shop-in-shops and eight watch boutiques, at its New York City flagship store. (Photo courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue/Justin Bridges)
New York—Saks Fifth Avenue shoppers may now enter The Vault, a space dedicated to high jewelry and watches on the lower level of the retailer’s New York City flagship store.
The retailer worked with architecture and design firm Gensler to convert the 12,000-square-foot basement storage area of its Fifth Avenue flagship into retail space, doubling the square footage previously dedicated to jewelry.
The construction of The Vault is part of the larger renovation that included the remodeling of the jewelry department on the second floor, which opened last spring.
“We have created the ultimate luxury destination for high fine jewelry and watches in New York City,” Tracy Margolies, chief merchant at Saks Fifth Avenue, said in a press release on the opening of The Vault.
Customers are invited down into the swanky space, which opened Wednesday, by way of a designer escalator created by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.
The decor is modeled after the “opulent” bank interiors of the 1920s as well as the detailing present in luxury watches, featuring vault doors, leather accents, metal textures and sculptures inspired by safety deposit boxes.
There are six fine jewelry shop-in-shops occupying the space: Boucheron, Chanel, Chopard, Graff, Piaget and Repossi.
These are the first U.S. shop-in-shops for Paris-based brands Boucheron and Repossi.
Saks is the exclusive retailer in New York for Assael, Dena Kemp, Nini Jewels and Tabbah, which are sold in The Vault too along with a number of other jewelry brands, including Adam Foster Fine Jewelry, Lorraine Schwartz, Katy Briscoe, Martin Katz, Montblanc, Oscar Heyman, Piranesi, and Robert Procop, with some offering one-of-a-kind store exclusives.
SEE: One-of-a-Kind Jewelry on Display in The Vault
The retailer worked with architecture and design firm Gensler to convert the 12,000-square-foot basement storage area of its Fifth Avenue flagship into retail space, doubling the square footage previously dedicated to jewelry.
The construction of The Vault is part of the larger renovation that included the remodeling of the jewelry department on the second floor, which opened last spring.
“We have created the ultimate luxury destination for high fine jewelry and watches in New York City,” Tracy Margolies, chief merchant at Saks Fifth Avenue, said in a press release on the opening of The Vault.
Customers are invited down into the swanky space, which opened Wednesday, by way of a designer escalator created by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.
The decor is modeled after the “opulent” bank interiors of the 1920s as well as the detailing present in luxury watches, featuring vault doors, leather accents, metal textures and sculptures inspired by safety deposit boxes.
There are six fine jewelry shop-in-shops occupying the space: Boucheron, Chanel, Chopard, Graff, Piaget and Repossi.
These are the first U.S. shop-in-shops for Paris-based brands Boucheron and Repossi.
Saks is the exclusive retailer in New York for Assael, Dena Kemp, Nini Jewels and Tabbah, which are sold in The Vault too along with a number of other jewelry brands, including Adam Foster Fine Jewelry, Lorraine Schwartz, Katy Briscoe, Martin Katz, Montblanc, Oscar Heyman, Piranesi, and Robert Procop, with some offering one-of-a-kind store exclusives.
SEE: One-of-a-Kind Jewelry on Display in The Vault
Chopard white gold necklace, featuring a 47.85-carat pear shaped emerald, 113 marquise cut diamonds, and 104 fancy cut diamonds. ($647,000)
Chopard white gold necklace, featuring 29 vivid blue, cushion shaped sapphires, 206 pear shaped diamonds, and 262 fancy cut diamonds. ($1.09 million)
Martin Katz 18-karat white gold Whistle earrings, featuring tanzanite, weighing 17.26ctw, and diamonds, weighing 1.19ctw. ($64,000)
Repossi pink gold Blast cuff, featuring 22 pear cut diamonds weighing 13ctw. ($347,200)
Robert Procop platinum pendant, featuring a 24.45-carat emerald and diamonds, weighing 4.08 ctw. (Price available upon request)
Customers can step into one of the two private VIP viewing rooms to get a closer look at the jewelry and watches.
Eight watch brands are in The Vault as well: Baume & Mercier, Frank Muller, Hermès, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Roger Dubuis, TAG Heuer and Vacheron Constantin.
Baume & Mercier’s space will be its first vendor-designed shop in a retailer in North America.
Saks Fifth Avenue noted it now has the largest selection of men’s watches in its history.
“With a unique atmosphere and impressive merchandise selection, Saks is delivering one-of-a-kind experiences, creating personal connections with our customers and transforming the way they shop for these valuable and lifelong pieces,” President Marc Metrick said.
The Vault is the latest step in the retailer’s $250 million “Grand Renovation” plan for its New York City flagship, which also included remodeling its shoe and beauty departments.
Metrick said The Vault was the “epitome” of the retailer’s new luxury strategy, which focuses on individuality, personalization and ease.
In The Vault, an exhibition space has been set aside to feature brand partners, guest curators, special collaborations and other events.
Tiffany & Co. will be the special guest in the space for the opening weeks.
The Tiffany collection on display includes diamond earrings weighing more than 16 carats, a 6-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond ring and a necklace with a sapphire weighing more than 14 carats set in diamonds.
The International Lounge offers multilingual concierge service to cater to shoppers visiting from abroad, as well as luggage and coat storage, package pick-up and other services.
Jewelry and watch repair services also are available.
Customers can head to the International Visitors Center to take a tour of the historic flagship.
Saks has digital initiatives in the works as well, including monthly online jewelry trunk shows and exclusive digital events for top clients.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
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.
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
