Trends

One to Watch: Bario Neal

TrendsFeb 18, 2016

One to Watch: Bario Neal

National Jeweler is introducing One to Watch, its new monthly feature on emerging designers and brands, with a Q&A highlighting Philadelphia-based Bario Neal.

New York--Committed to traceable diamonds, Fairmined gold and environmental responsibility, the team behind Bario Neal places great importance on its sourcing and manufacturing, offering pieces with an organic aesthetic that give ethics-minded consumers peace of mind.  


“Our goal is to make work that we feel like we ourselves would buy,” Page Neal (right) said of Bario Neal’s jewelry.The brand is the subject of the first monthly installment of National Jeweler’s new “One to Watch” feature, which will introduce retailers to up-and-coming jewelry brands and designers who are looking to expand their reach.

Below, Anna Bario and Page Neal, the designers behind Bario Neal, answer the questions that retailers need to know about their company.

National Jeweler: What was the inspiration for your collection?
Page Neal: Originally, I think Anna and I came to making the jewelry from a place of more of a sculptural background and experimentation, and really seeing what resonates with us and what we would want, and what’s lacking out there (in the market.) It’s a nice place to approach design--what do you not see, what do you want to see?

But now it’s changed, and our design process is much slower in a good way. We can be careful about what we’re doing and thinking about what we’re playing off of … and conscious of trying to create our own voice and stand apart from a lot of our competitors.

NJ: Where is your jewelry made?
PN: Our jewelry is handmade in our Philadelphia workshop and in collaboration with many skilled artisans on Philadelphia’s historic Jeweler’s Row.

NJ: What should retailers focus on, or what story should they tell, when showing your line to customers?
PN: Everything is handmade ... and I think that there’s a very big difference when you look at our jewelry of how delicate it is, and the details, compared to a lot of jewelry that’s out there, that’s manufactured at higher numbers.

I do think we do a lot more sourcing work than most of our competitors. I think that we really try very hard to make sure that we know where everything is coming from, and if we don’t, we’re establishing that relationship with the suppliers. I know it’s something that’s trendy right now, but it’s at the core of our business, and we don’t release anything unless we feel good about its sourcing.

NJ:

How much inventory must a retailer invest in to carry your brand?
PN: We have a 10-piece minimum order.

NJ: What retailers currently are carrying your line?
PN: (We’re) in about four or five retailers in the Northeast. It’s always been our goal to have our different lines represented by different markets.

NJ:
What are your plans for upcoming collections?
PN: We have some fantastic projects in the works, including the addition of several new colored gemstone rings, a line of unisex engagement rings, a jewelry collaboration with an African clothing designer and a new line of fine jewelry necklaces and earrings.

NJ: Are you exhibiting at any trade shows in the next 12 months?
PN: We haven’t exhibited (at any trade shows) yet.

NJ: Complete this sentence: “People would be surprised to learn that I …”
Anna Bario: I don’t wear my engagement ring often, which is a neon-green rope ring that my husband won at a carnival.
PN: When I was 16, I wore 16 necklaces for an entire year.

Retailers interested in contacting Bario Neal may do so through the brand’s website.

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Morgan Keefe
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education Scholarship

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

Penny Ruston
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy