From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
NYJDI to Offer Class for Aspiring Jewelry Designers
Award-winning designer Kristin Hanson will teach the four-session course that focuses on creating a signature collection.

New York--The New York Jewelry Design Institute is offering a new course for up-and-coming jewelry designers that focuses on establishing a recognizable design signature.
“Create Your Own Signature Collection” will be taught by jewelry designer Kristin Hanson over four Tuesdays in March and April at the NYJDI campus in New York City’s design district.
The course will cover finding inspiration to create a trademark look and development of that concept in the design process, plus how to express a signature via a portfolio. Students will utilize different mediums in exploring their creative signature: drawing, painting, photography, collage, video and sculpture.
“Become a jewelry architect,” advises Hanson to aspiring and up-and-coming designers. “Learn techniques that will generate your next trend-setting collection by focusing on the art of your own style. Create a portfolio that will become the blueprints of your brand.”
Hanson is an award-winning fine jewelry designer who has studied under master jeweler Harold O’Connor in Colorado and at the Alchimia jewelry school in Florence, Italy, where she apprenticed with Giampaulo Babetto.
Today, Hanson’s namesake designs are stocked in Neiman Marcus stores around the United States.
Jenine Lepera Izzi, Creative Director of NYJDI, said, “Kristin adds a layer of sophistication to designing jewelry. She brings expansive knowledge to our classroom, and our students will greatly benefit from her worldly experience as an award winning jewelry designer, teacher and entrepreneur.”
“Create Your Own Signature Collection” will take place on four Tuesdays beginning March 28, with the last session held April 18. Each session is from 6 to 9 p.m. at the NYJDI campus in Manhattan.
The course is $650 plus tax.
For more information visit NYJDI’s website or e-mail info@nyjdi.com.
The Latest

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.


The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.























