ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
TrendsAug 15, 2016
Alex Woo wants to help the honey bees too
The designer has partnered with the Platinum Guild International to launch her first platinum design, a limited edition beehive and honey bee pendant that will help support the “Häagen-Dazs Loves Honey Bees” program.
New York--As colony collapse continues to cause serious issues for honey bees across the world, designer Alex Woo is the latest in the fine jewelry industry to try to help save the bees.
Woo collaborated with Platinum Guild International and Emmy Award-winning costume designer Lyn Paolo, who currently works on ABC’s Scandal and the Showtime series Shameless and is a PGI platinum ambassador, to design the piece.
The limited edition pendant marks the designer’s first venture into platinum. It features a honey bee and beehive made in the metal as well as fancy vivid yellow diamond accents. It is priced at $1,898 and is being sold on Woo’s website.
It is the latest addition to Woo’s Little Activist collection, created to allow consumers a new way to express who they are and what they believe in.
Proceeds from the sale of the pendant will support the “Häagen-Dazs Loves Honey Bees” program, which provides funds for honey bee research at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis, and to help maintain the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a bee-friendly demonstration garden on the UC Davis campus.
RELATED CONTENT: The baubles and the bees
“All my designs are symbolic so it was such a pleasant surprise that Lyn and I both shared the same interest in helping save the honey bees,” Woo said. “This became our inspiration for our Little Activist Beehive. My fine jewelry collection is classic, personal, and wearable every day, so it was exciting to be creating this new pendant in platinum, as it still captures the essence of all my trademark Little Icons, but in a luxurious new way.”
RELATED CONTENT: Bee-ing helpful
Woo joins companies like Gumuchian and Maison Birks in creating fine jewelry lines to support research on the plight of the honey bee--how colonies are collapsing, hives are failing and bees are dying --and what can be done about the threat to this all-important insect.
Woo collaborated with Platinum Guild International and Emmy Award-winning costume designer Lyn Paolo, who currently works on ABC’s Scandal and the Showtime series Shameless and is a PGI platinum ambassador, to design the piece.
Alex Woo’s limited edition platinum and yellow diamond pendant, priced at $1,898 and selling on the designer’s website, will support the “Häagen-Dazs Loves Honey Bees” program.
The limited edition pendant marks the designer’s first venture into platinum. It features a honey bee and beehive made in the metal as well as fancy vivid yellow diamond accents. It is priced at $1,898 and is being sold on Woo’s website.
It is the latest addition to Woo’s Little Activist collection, created to allow consumers a new way to express who they are and what they believe in.
Proceeds from the sale of the pendant will support the “Häagen-Dazs Loves Honey Bees” program, which provides funds for honey bee research at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis, and to help maintain the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a bee-friendly demonstration garden on the UC Davis campus.
RELATED CONTENT: The baubles and the bees
“All my designs are symbolic so it was such a pleasant surprise that Lyn and I both shared the same interest in helping save the honey bees,” Woo said. “This became our inspiration for our Little Activist Beehive. My fine jewelry collection is classic, personal, and wearable every day, so it was exciting to be creating this new pendant in platinum, as it still captures the essence of all my trademark Little Icons, but in a luxurious new way.”
RELATED CONTENT: Bee-ing helpful
Woo joins companies like Gumuchian and Maison Birks in creating fine jewelry lines to support research on the plight of the honey bee--how colonies are collapsing, hives are failing and bees are dying --and what can be done about the threat to this all-important insect.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Trends
The Latest
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
