CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
TrendsAug 09, 2016
2 New Jewelry Designers Join Rock Vault
From a pool of applicants, Daou Jewellery and Frances Wadsworth Jones have been chosen to join the British organization of jewelry designers.
Frances Wadsworth Jones (left) and Dalia Daou of Daou Jewellery (right) were chosen to join Rock Vault, the British organization of jewelry designers.
London--Daou Jewellery and Frances Wadsworth Jones are the newest members of the British Fashion Council’s Rock Vault, the group curated by Stephen Webster that aims to support and give a platform to up-and-coming independent jewelry designers.
The new designers join existing Rock Vault members Completedworks, Lily Kamper, Rachel Boston and Shimell and Madden.
Brands Ana de Costa, Beth Gilmour, Jacqueline Cullen, Ornella Iannuzzi, Ruifier and Yunus and Eliza all are graduating from the program this September, joining the talented ranks of Rock Vault alumni such as Fernando Jorge, Imogen Belfield and Tomasz Donocik.
“The most recent additions to the Rock Vault designers, Frances Wadsworth Jones and Daou, are both creative, exciting and original,” Stephen Webster said. “They are also both at the stage in their businesses when mentoring and the extra exposure gained through the RV initiative will provide them with the tools and experience so essential to succeed in a market that is more crowded and competitive today than ever before. Rock Vault, now in its tenth season, has proven to be the only such platform in the industry.”
The two brands were chosen by a panel of experts, including Webster, members of the British Fashion Council and several jewelry editors.
“Daou Jewellery is contemporary yet always elegant, designed with thought to be best shown off when worn and to play with light. Designs combine ideas from my scientific education, artistic affinity and creative heritage,” Dalia Daou said.
“The new designs I will be showing at fashion week are a little more avant-garde and Phoenix-inspired, moving to more feminine forms and with a return to kaleidoscope colored stones. In keeping with the light references throughout the collections, the fire-bird also symbolizes renewal and rebirth which is so apt for the Daou story.”
A necklace from Daou Jewellery
Dalia Daou, this year’s New Designer of the Year winner at the U.K. Jewellery Awards, is the designer of Daou Jewellery, a fine jewelry brand started by her grandfather and carried on by her father, which she has re-launched in recent years.
Daou hopes that Rock Vault will introduce her brand to the American fine jewelry market; Rock Vault designers accompany Stephen Webster to exhibit annually at the Couture show.
“I hope to gain from the mentorship, profile and support Rock Vault provides to make the most of the unique story of Daou Jewellery and further develop the brand both creatively, with respect to our heritage, and commercially, especially internationally, specifically in the USA,” she said.
Dalia’s designs focus on bright gemstone color combinations and bold, asymmetric, graphic shapes that exhibit an un-fussy youthful exuberance.
Fellow newcomer Frances Wadsworth Jones, a 2008 Royal College of Art graduate, also possesses a fresh, youthful quality to her work, but with a distinctly British quirkiness and sense of humor.
For example, a classic sapphire center stone with diamond halo ring is subverted by a parade of gold ants propping up the stones’ setting.
“In my ‘Thieves’ collection, which I am showing at Rock Vault, traditional forms are given a surreal twist, as tiny criminal golden ants threaten to dismantle the jewelry and run away with the gems,” Frances Wadsworth Jones said.
“When designing, I always try to bring a sense of humor and curiosity.”
A brooch by Frances Wadsworth Jones
“Each piece combines preciousness, narrative and detail in an
attempt to find some unexpected comic relief in the serious world of fine jewelry,” she explained. “Needless to say, having the support of the British Fashion Council at this time in my career really is invaluable."
Webster stressed that the benefits of the Rock Vault community exceed the time designers are able to participate in the initiative.
He commented, “Long after designers have graduated, they still contact me for all kinds of advice. This can be as varied as international design contracts, opinions on retailers or IP concerns. Usually I or one of the other members of the RV panel are able to offer the advice needed. If not, we know where to go to get the answers.”
The six current Rock Vault members will showcase their designs during London Fashion Week in September in the Designer Showrooms at Brewer Street Car Park.
Webster stressed that the benefits of the Rock Vault community exceed the time designers are able to participate in the initiative.
He commented, “Long after designers have graduated, they still contact me for all kinds of advice. This can be as varied as international design contracts, opinions on retailers or IP concerns. Usually I or one of the other members of the RV panel are able to offer the advice needed. If not, we know where to go to get the answers.”
The six current Rock Vault members will showcase their designs during London Fashion Week in September in the Designer Showrooms at Brewer Street Car Park.
More on Trends
The Latest
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
