The fast-casual chain partnered with Anna Sheffield’s Bing Bang NYC brand on a capsule collection and it’s a little “extra.”
Loriann Jewelry Nabs New Designer of the Year Honors
Helmed by Connecticut-based Lori Friedman, the line is designed to be casual and colorful.

New York--Loriann Jewelry, the namesake brand of Connecticut-based Lori Ann Friedman, has been named the Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year.
Now in its 40th year, the award is given out annually at the summer JA New York show to one of the exhibitors showing in the New Designer Gallery. Votes cast by retailers, editors and past gallery participants determine the winner.
The award is named for the late Mort Abelson, the former director of the show who conceived of a space for emerging artists only. Designers who exhibited in the gallery when they were new include David Yurman, Katy Brunini, Alex Sepkus and Paula Crevoshay.
The most recent winners of the Mort Abelson award were Alexis Kletjian (2016) and Jocelyn Prestia, whose brand is called Unhada (2015).
Friedman, whose first career was as a graphic designer and art director for an engineering company, said she started in jewelry about 15 years ago, collecting gemstones and then taking a class on jewelry-making in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Her ultimate goal, at first, was to get into Mitchell Stores, a still-family-owned retailer that’s been in business since 1958 in Westport, Connecticut, where Friedman lives. (Second-generation owner Jack Mitchell is the author of the business bestseller “Hug Your Customers.”)
Friedman said she achieved that goal but, now, is taking her line a step further by using the same organic-looking gemstones but graduating from her primarily silver “Water & Ice” collection to her first collection completely in gold--14 karat--with diamond pave and rubies.
She designs the pieces then has them made, some overseas and some in New York.
Friedman said her ultimate goal in designing is not to follow a trend but to mirror people’s lifestyle today, which tends to be more casual.
“I wanted a line that people can wear every day,” she told National Jeweler at the show shortly after accepting the award.
In addition to designing jewelry, Friedman also paints watercolors--which she said taught her to be more experimental with color--and she mixes the two mediums on her company’s Instagram account and Facebook page.
For more information, email loriannjewelry@gmail.com.
The Latest

The diamond and tanzanite bracelet was inspired by the waves of the Italian gulf near Genoa.

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

The home improvement store’s website features an “Empowerment Tools” demi-fine jewelry collection.


The show will feature a new pavilion of 30 jewelry designers and manufacturers from Surat, India.

A government official said search crews “found the needle in the haystack” when they located the capsule belonging to Rio Tinto along an 870-mile stretch of road.

De Beers is sharing over 130 years of experience and expertise through the De Beers Institute of Diamonds with a selection of courses.

Behind the playful and nostalgic brand lies deeper meaning.

The Time Century Jewelry Center is located in downtown Miami’s jewelry district.

Wariness about the year ahead offset a more positive view of the current economic situation.

The IJO also welcomed one new vendor member to its 13-member board, Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Designs.

It begins with a “t” and ends with a “c” and is imbued with warmth and positivity, Peter Smith writes.

The tiny capsule, which is believed to have fallen out of a truck, was lost somewhere along an 870-mile stretch of desert road.

The jeweler’s expansion plans include 20 to 30 more stores in North America and the Middle East over the next two to three years.

The Italian luxury brand will receive the first Gem Award for High Jewelry Excellence.

Industry veteran Kevin Lane has stepped into the role.

The ancient Egyptian teenager was buried 2,300 years ago with 49 amulets to guide him through the afterlife.

The NRF’s annual survey shows that consumer attitudes about how, or even whether, to celebrate Feb. 14 continue to evolve.

Nominations are open now through March 24.

A column detailing how independent jewelers did last year and the top watch brands of 2022 were among the most-read stories last week.

Acquired in 2021, the brand’s high jewelry sales have doubled and its new “Lock” collection was an instant hit.

Executives from Fred Meyer Jewelers and Riddles Jewelers have filled the roles.

The Victorian-inspired design is a functional lock and key.

For over 100 years, JA New York has played an integral role in facilitating the evolution of our industry, while also honoring past traditions.

The Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative provides diamond credit and mentorship to young brands helmed by BIPOC designers.

It will be located in San Antonio’s Alamo Quarry Market and will be Lee Michaels’ third location in the city.