Trends

Town & Country Editor Pens Book on Jewelry Design

TrendsSep 29, 2016

Town & Country Editor Pens Book on Jewelry Design

Stellene Volandes’ Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design is out this month.

20160929_Jeweler_Book-5.jpg
Pictured here is a collar by Giampiero Bodino, as featured in Rizzoli’s Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design, written by Stellene Volandes.

New York--In her new book, Town & Country Editor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes explores the fantastical, the awesome and the unbelievable in jewelry design.

Out from Rizzoli this month, Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design focuses on the extraordinary works of 17 contemporary talents, hailing from various geographical and cultural backgrounds and connected only by the thread of having mastered their shared medium.

© JEWELER: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design by Stellene Volandes, Rizzoli New York, 2016.

Jeweler commences with a look into German, family-run design house Hemmerle, which experienced a rebirth in the 1990s, emerging as an innovative and adventurous home for jewelry formed from the marriage of seemingly disparate materials. Pieces like a set of earrings that consist of brilliant beryl stones set in white gold and copper that are surrounded by pebbles, or ornate food-inspired brooches depicting cauliflower and pomegranate illustrate Hemmerle’s creativity.

Volandes charts the colorful life and jewels (and language) of Nicholas Varney, an American designer born into a family of maximalist interior design who, conversely, played college baseball and treasures his time spent at his farm upstate.

His bold, brilliantly hued designs bring to mind the former of Varney’s influences. He sets tourmalines, amethysts and diamonds into large pieces of labradorite, jade and agate, held in place by enormous gold prongs, themselves set with brilliant diamonds. Varney’s pieces are exuberant and loud in their non-classical aesthetic.



New York-based Judy Geib’s idiosyncratic works also are on display in Jeweler, with Volandes noting the handmade element that permeates her design ethos. Geib’s pieces convey a feeling of experimentation and exploration rather than one cohesive story. On one page, a geometrical masterpiece of rectangular emeralds making up the entire length of a necklace sits next to a pair of organic, fluid ruby and diamond earrings. Volandes paints Geib’s studio as a repository for her varied influences and ideas, ranging from calligraphy to architecture.

Elena Votsi, Mark Davis, Wallace Chan, James de Givenchy, Giampiero Bodino, Suzanne Syz, Bhagat, Sevan Bicakci, Lydia Courteille, Muriel Grateau, Luz Camino, Antonia Miletto, Marie-Helene de Taillac, and Lauren Adriana complete the roster of jewelry designers featured in the book.

Volandes lends context to each of these designer’s visual oeuvres. Of course, jewelry speaks best through imagery and Jeweler doesn’t disappoint with 300 color images.

Jeweler includes a forward by Carolina Herrera. It is out now from Rizzoli.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsNov 26, 2025
Movado CEO Talks Tariffs, Growing Interest in Accessible Luxury Watches

During its Q3 call, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed the deal to lower tariffs on Swiss-made watches, watch market trends, and more.

Greenwich St. Jewelers Embrace Your True Colors Holiday Campaign
IndependentsNov 26, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Colorful Holiday Campaign

The “Embrace Your True Colors” campaign features jewels with a vibrant color palette and poetry by Grammy-nominated artist Aja Monet.

Alejandro Cuellar
MajorsNov 26, 2025
Serafino Consoli Names New VP of Sales, Brand Development for the Americas

Luxury veteran Alejandro Cuellar has stepped into the role at the Italian fine jewelry brand.

Recipients Collage 2025 - NJ (1872 x 1050 px) (1872 x 1052 px).png
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow Today

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Grandview Klein scholarships
Events & AwardsNov 26, 2025
Grandview Klein Presents 4 Scholarships in Namibia

The company gave awards to four students at the Namibia University of Science & Technology, including one who is a Grandview Klein employee.

Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Margaret “Maggie” Hoisik
IndependentsNov 25, 2025
Pearl Stringer Margaret Hoisik Dies

She is remembered as an artist who loved her craft and was devoted to her faith, her friends, and her family.

Finestar manufacturing
SourcingNov 25, 2025
Finestar Opens Diamond Manufacturing Facility in Johannesburg

It joins the company’s other manufacturing facilities globally, including in India, Botswana, and Namibia.

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

Stock image of gavel and books
CrimeNov 25, 2025
Former Arizona AG Official Charged With Trafficking Stolen Jewelry

Vanessa Hickman, 49, allegedly sold a diamond bracelet that was mistakenly sent to her home.

GIA executives John Koivula, Kathryn Kimmel, Susan Jacques, Tom Moses, Alice Keller, James E. Shigley
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2025
GIA Awards Susan Jacques With Its Highest Honor

GIA’s former president and CEO was presented with the Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievement.

20251124_MNQ social media etiquette header.jpg
Recorded WebinarsNov 24, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Social Media Etiquette

Social media experts spoke about protecting brand reputation through behaving mindfully online.

Breitling house of brands
WatchesNov 24, 2025
Breitling Reveals Plans for Gallet, Universal Genève

In 2026, the three will come together as “House of Brands,” with Gallet sold in Breitling stores and Universal Genève sold separately.

Cynthia Erivo in Muse’s Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo Collection
CollectionsNov 24, 2025
Muse Debuts a Wicked 'Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo' Sequel

The second drop, which includes more Elphaba-inspired pieces from additional designers, will continue to benefit nonprofit Dreams of Hope.

J.R. Dunn Jewelers employees
IndependentsNov 24, 2025
J.R. Dunn Jewelers Names New President

Second-generation jeweler Sean Dunn has taken on the role.

Amber Pepper
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEO

Amber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.

Origin De Beers Group logo
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers

Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.

Melissa Kaye Rocky Infinity Emerald Necklace
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ Necklace

The lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.

Phillips auction of The Vanderbilt Sapphire brooch
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond Withdrawn

A 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.

Rebecca Rau Jewels Green Flame Necklace
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ Collection

Rau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.

Purvi Shah
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive Director

Former De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.

La Joux-Perret manufacturing facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker

La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.

Julia Griffith
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of Education

She previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.

Helena Bonham Carter in Larkspur & Hawk Once Upon a Time Campaign
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter Campaign

The British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.

Google reviews on a phone screen and a laptop
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks

Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.

Shaftel Diamonds logo and jeweler’s bench
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In

Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.

Midas chain mini studs
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style Guide

The jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.

Jewelry from NYC Jewelry Week 2024
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See Events

With more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.

×

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