Trends

2 New Jewelry Designers Join Rock Vault

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.

20160809_New-Rock-Vault-HEADER.jpg
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.



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.



“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.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Tiffany & Co. Pop Up at U.S. Open
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US Open

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

Bellman’s Jewelers The Truthful Jeweler Alex Bellman
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes Off

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”

Stock image of police cars with lights flashing
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, Robbed

The latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.

Oris New York Harbor Limited Edition II Watch
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster Restoration

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

Jewelers for Children logo
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ Challenge

Participants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.

Lulo Rose pink diamond
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner Lucapa

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry Retail

Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

Fake Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra earrings
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ Earrings

The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

MJSA Logo
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally Recognized

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Masaki Obu
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division Manager

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Michael Barabash and husband Raymond Cuadrado
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

John Hardy Dot Coil Necklace and Dot Hoop Earrings
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on Point

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

IJO Vendor of the Year Allison-Kaufman
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the Year

Allison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.

Image of Winona Ryder and Iman from Pandora’s Be Love marketing campaign
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift Etho Maria ruby earrings The Life of a Showgirl TS12
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Audemars Piguet Starwheel Watch
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in Manufacturer

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

Nicolette Bianchi
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing Director

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

Pippa Small Myanmar Fish Cluster
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Casio America CEO Yusuke Suzuki
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEO

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

×

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