ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
TrendsMar 30, 2017
Michelle Fantaci Is Launching a Bridal Collection
The designer is catering to the modern bride with her range of under-$5,000 engagement rings and wedding bands.
Unusual diamond center stones and 18-karat matte green gold are the hallmarks of Michelle Fantaci’s new bridal collection.
New York--After 10 years in business, Michelle Fantaci is making her bridal line official.
The New York-based designer has been creating custom engagement rings and wedding bands, and even selling pieces from her main line as bridal options, for years.
In April, she will offer a dedicated bridal collection for her customers.
“I was headed in that direction anyway and it made sense to put my focus there,” Fantaci explained.
With the exception of an occasional outlier, Fantaci is pricing her collection at under $5,000 retail, beginning at $920 and topping off at $4,900.
Fantaci said: “Part of the intention of the line is that most of what I’m offering is an approachable price. I wanted to make something beautiful and affordable.”
“I’m looking for diamonds that have character and aren’t necessarily going to be something that I can find again.”--Michelle FantaciOn the beauty front, Fantaci is employing rose- and step-cut diamonds as center stones, with rose-cuts having the added value of providing substantial surface area without pricey carat weight.
Michelle Fantaci’s “Berber” engagement ring featuring a 0.91-carat cognac color, cushion-cut Australian diamond with 0.18 carats of F-color VS1 white diamond baguettes set in 18-karat green gold ($4,790)
“Sensu” engagement ring with a Canadian 0.54-carat, J-color, SI2, fan-shape diamond with F, VS accent white diamonds in 18-karat green gold ($3,276)
“Nomad” engagement ring featuring a G-color, SI2, 0.86-carat rose-cut round Canadian diamond with cognac kite diamond accents set in 18-karat green gold ($4,870)
Fantaci is also offering certain styles from her main line in palladium as part of her new bridal collection. This “Onda” band with gray diamonds retails for $1,590.
Here, a stack of Fantaci’s bridal bands, which can be worn as wedding bands or even as non-traditional engagement rings. Pricing starts at $1,850.
“They reflect light really beautifully,” she said. “I don’t think they’re usually paired together but I like them mixed so you’ll see step-cuts paired with rose-cuts in the engagement rings and in the bands.”
Fantaci uses white and champagne color diamonds in her bridal line, explaining that she is, “looking for diamonds that have character and aren’t necessarily going to be something that I can find again; that there’s something about them that makes them irregular, it might be an unusual shape or the color or some inclusion in the the interior crystal structure that gives the stone character.”
The collection is being produced in 18-karat green gold, a shade that Fantaci feels acts as a neutral. She’s also creating some of her signature line’s designs in palladium to act as wedding bands.
All of the metals have a matte finish that keeps the designs, which are already romantic, from going overboard.
Modernity is key to Fantaci.
Fantaci said of her bridal customers, “I think couples are looking for something that speaks to them personally. They want their own thing. One-of-a-kind designs provide that and so do designs (that customers) know are not mass produced and come from my own point of view.
“Today, bridal is not necessarily viewed as bridal; it’s just jewelry with a point of view.”
Fantaci herself is the perfect example of this. Her husband bought her an
engagement ring when he first proposed to her. Ten years later, Fantaci designed her own double-sided rose-cut trillion anniversary ring.
Michelle Fantaci’s bridal collection will debut at Portland jewelry store Twist on April 6.
Michelle Fantaci’s bridal collection will debut at Portland jewelry store Twist on April 6.
More on Trends
The Latest
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
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.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
