The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Persona launching collegiate beads and charms
The new line comes as a result of the fact that Persona’s jewelry distributor, First Jewelry, has purchased Florida-based collegiate bead and jewelry company Teagan Co.
Toronto--Persona jewelry distributor First Jewelry Ltd. has purchased Florida-based collegiate bead and jewelry company Teagan Co. and will add collegiate beads and charms to Persona’s offerings.
Teagan Co. was established in 2007 by Winter Park, Fla. residents Katie and Ernie Hinderliter, who created licensed college-themed beads made of sterling silver and enamel. The beads are carried in more than 300 retail stores in the U.S. and Canada.
As First Jewelry is the exclusive distributor of bead and charm brand Persona, the company now will transition Teagan Co. into the Persona family, rebranding it as “Teagan by Persona.”
In addition, First Jewelry will launch a new “Campus Life” collection under the Persona brand, which also will offer sterling silver collegiate beads and charms as well as sorority-themed styles, launching in stores including Zales, Gordon’s and independents this month.
The announcement comes as millions of students countrywide head back to college after summer break and the collegiate football season sets to kick off in two weeks.
RELATED CONTENT: Jeweler tackles new type of bridal commercial
“With 190 million college sports fans, 89 million of them women and 31 million with incomes over $100,000, we wanted to be in the collegiate market,” First Jewelry CEO Neil Travis said. “In our research we felt that Teagan Co. represented the best quality and most unique look to complement some new Persona collegiate designs.”
The Latest

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.


Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
























