SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsJun 27, 2016
Jennie Kwon Shows Her Softer Side
The jewelry designer discusses how she’s transitioned her aesthetic without losing the design signature that put her on the map.
Jewelry designer Jennie Kwon discusses how she’s transitioned her aesthetic without losing the design signature that put her on the map.
Los Angeles--Jennie Kwon is in the mood for pastels; specifically, Ceylon blue sapphires, morganite, opals and green sapphires, all light-hued stones that bring to mind the serenity of a Monet painting.
“This past season we were drawn toward watercolor, painterly tones in our stones and that’s really what inspired the design,” said Kwon.
With her latest collection, Kwon has transcended the conundrum designers face after solidly establishing themselves in the industry: how to evolve artistically without losing their hard-earned customer.
“I was kind of pigeonholed as being a more minimalistic jewelry designer with a slight edge, so most of my pieces were kind of streamlined and we used a lot of black and white stones--black diamonds, white diamonds, onyx--and that’s what we were known for,” explained Kwon, “but the jewelry is basically a reflection of each of the seasons of my life and I just found myself drawn to softer tones and a little bit more romantic lines and designs.”
Kwon seems to find success in everything she touches; the Californian was a violinist then corporate lawyer and turned to jewelry design after becoming a mother.
“I felt my sense of aesthetic softening a bit,” she said.
Kwon’s bridal collection, launched last year, was a precursor to her softer sensibility. The range features romantic rose-cut diamonds, straying from the starker colors Kwon used in previous main-line collections.
The latest sorbet-colored offerings manage to stay on-brand through Kwon’s signature delicate scale, which encourages customers to layer.
“I’m drawn toward color but on a more manageable, dainty scale so it’s not so in-your-face,” she said. “It’s not a statement cocktail ring.”
Kwon said the response to her new designs has been positive, perhaps denoting a customer base that is evolving with her.
Ultimately, the designer still wants to create the same type of fine jewelry for customers she started out designing, which she describes as, “something that makes [customers] feel unique when they wear it but on an everyday, wearable scale, so it’s precious and it’s meaningful without being untouchable.”
The spring summer collection retails from $295 to $2,266 and is available at select retailers and JennieKwonDesigns.com.
14-karat yellow gold ring with morganite, opals and white diamonds, $750
14-karat yellow gold ring with opals and white diamonds, $890
14-karat yellow gold earrings with opals and white diamonds, $385
14-karat yellow gold earrings with white diamonds and opals, $295
14-karat yellow gold necklace with white diamonds and opals, $530
More on Trends
The Latest
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
