Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
And the Winners of the 2025 Couture Design Awards Are … Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.
Recently, Bierker landed another job through CustomMade.com, which connects consumers and companies with artisans in a variety of fields, including jewelry design.
This time, it was the movie company Warner Bros. that contacted the designer about creating a locket for the new horror movie The Conjuring. Directed by James Wan, of Saw fame, The Conjuring is based on the allegedly true story of a family possessed and terrorized by spirits in their home, an old Rhode Island farmhouse.
Actress Vera Farmiga, who was nominated for an Oscar for Up in the Air and plays real-life ghost-hunter Lorraine Warren in the film, is the one who dons Bierker’s creation.
Bierker said the studio requested something that was “somewhat period,” resembling jewelry from the late 1800s to early 1900s, and completely unique in order to avoid trademark issues.
He only had about nine days to come up with a design but he did it. He made several versions of the same locket in multiple metals including one in sterling silver, which is the one, he believes, Farmiga wears in the movie. He also sent the studio the CAD geometry for the piece, which enables them to do special effects if needed, such as making the locket melt.
“What we had to do is look at the totality of the lockets on the market and come up with something that would be stylistically appropriate but completely unique. As a designer, it’s actually a pretty difficult task to look at something and then pull something out of thin air,” Bierker says. “It’s really cool when you have to think outside the box like that.”
Due to potential copyright issues with Warner Bros., the designer was hesitant to send us a picture of the locket but Farmiga can be seen wearing it in this scene.
Bierker says he hasn’t seen the movie, yet. He is not sure if the locket is intended to possess some special sort of powers, though he does believe it plays a prominent role in the movie’s end.
“Of course, I have to,” he
says when asked if he plans to see The Conjuring. “I just need to find time. I’m slammed. It's great.”
"You know you are busy when you don't have time to go to the movie your first major prop is in,” he laughs. “R2D2 is still keeping me busy."
I plan to see this movie as well, though I’m not sure why. I watched one of the A Nightmare on Elm Street movies with my brothers and cousins when I was in elementary school and was up all night, prompting my mother, who was up for the entirety of that same night by association, to ban horror-film watching for foreseeable future. (My brother and my boy cousins, by contrast, were not at all bothered by the movie.)
Despite my fears, I continue to torture myself with scary movies into adulthood, long after one would think the desire to defy mother by watching banned films would have dissipated.
Shortly after hanging up with Bierker, I emailed my friend to set up a time to see The Conjuring this coming Friday.
I read a review last night where the writer stated that the movie was so scary they cried. I anticipate sleeping with the lights on all weekend.
"You know you are busy when you don't have time to go to the movie your first major prop is in,” he laughs. “R2D2 is still keeping me busy."
I plan to see this movie as well, though I’m not sure why. I watched one of the A Nightmare on Elm Street movies with my brothers and cousins when I was in elementary school and was up all night, prompting my mother, who was up for the entirety of that same night by association, to ban horror-film watching for foreseeable future. (My brother and my boy cousins, by contrast, were not at all bothered by the movie.)
Despite my fears, I continue to torture myself with scary movies into adulthood, long after one would think the desire to defy mother by watching banned films would have dissipated.
Shortly after hanging up with Bierker, I emailed my friend to set up a time to see The Conjuring this coming Friday.
I read a review last night where the writer stated that the movie was so scary they cried. I anticipate sleeping with the lights on all weekend.
More on Editors
The Latest
AuctionsJun 09, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Sells for $1.2MThe rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 09, 2025
RDI Diamonds Partners With LavalierThe diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
