Our Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
UK brand Annoushka expands to US market
Fine jewelry brand Annoushka has expanded from its London roots to enter the U.S. market, debuting this week exclusively with Saks Fifth Avenue in its New York and Beverly Hills locations.
Annoushka was established in 2009 by Annoushka Ducas, the same designer who founded Links of London in 1990. She sold the latter company to fashion jewelry company Follie Follie in 2006, and has since focused on her eponymous business, which has boutiques in London and also is carried in luxury department stores in the city, including Harrods and Selfridges.
Annoushka, which offers one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces in 18-karat gold with diamonds and gemstones, garnered attention from U.S. consumers who saw the brand’s pieces on international stars.
“We have a strong celebrity following, anyone from the Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) to Rihanna, and this has resulted in an extraordinary growth in web sales to U.S. customers,” John Ayton, chairman and co-founder of Annoushka, told National Jeweler. “So we have entered into an agreement with Saks to have two counters, one at its Fifth Avenue location and one in Beverly Hills, and we have given them exclusivity to sell Annoushka pieces in these locations.”
Ayton said the brand chose to retail with Saks for two reasons: first, it has the “full backing” of the store’s president, Marigay McKee. McKee worked closely with Annoushka when she served as chief merchant at Harrods, where the jewelry company has a “successful” shop-in-shop.
“We’re also excited about future plans for fine jewelry in Saks--there’s a whole program of reinvention going on, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” Ayton said.
Annoushka now has two collections exclusive to the two Saks locations: “One of a Kind,” which offers pieces boasting color-intense semi-precious gemstones, and “Annoushka/24,” which encompasses three lines--Arabesque, Cloud Nine and Dream Catcher--made in limited editions.
Annoushka designs are “not suited to be mass produced,” Ayton explained.
“We’re very happy to be launching in just two locations in Saks and give that exclusivity to them. (Annoushka) is not suited for 50 doors in the U.S.; it’s not where we want to be. We may expand to West Palm Beach, but we’re not expecting to go nationwide,” he said.
This is a plus for consumers outside of Beverly Hills and the U.S., as well-known stars accessorizing with the brand’s jewelry has garnered much attention.
“We have been selling a lot to American customers, who have seen the jewelry worn by celebrities, and we now have a strong following, receiving a lot of orders through (our website),” Ayton said.
Retail prices for Annoushka jewelry at Saks ranges from $600 to $20,000.
“It’s very different from the jewelry that’s currently available in the U.S.,” Ayton said. “It appeals to women between 30 and 50 who are buying their own jewelry and are confident about color.”
The Latest

The 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.

Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.

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

The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.


McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.

Nelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.

The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.

The MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.

The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.

Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.

The collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.

The retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.

The “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.

The unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.

Awards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.

The top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.

Moses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.

Increased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.

The earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.

“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.

Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.





















