This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
2018’s Best Jewelry Read Was for the Boys
“Jewelry for Gentleman” celebrates the jewelry styles that have passed the test of time and shows how tastemakers are wearing them in the 21st century.

It’s with this eye for timelessness that Sherwood delves into the world of men’s jewelry in the 21st century, examining the styles that have lasted the test of time to survive in an era when men are wearing jewelry far less than in preceding centuries.
Sherwood contrasts these modern adaptations with their earlier era counterparts.
For example, on the subject of men’s ring placement, the author illustrates the Duke of Windsor’s preference for Cartier’s tri-color gold Trinity Ring, which he wore on his left pinky during his courtship with Wallis Simpson in the 1930s. The ring bore the inscription, “Darling Wallis.”
The style remains one of Cartier’s most popular styles for men today.
The tome also highlights a group of prominent designers shaping the landscape for men’s jewelry today: Ara Vartanian, Shaun Leane, Stephen Webster and Solange Azagury-Partridge, to name a few.
Divided into chapters dictated by jewelry categories, like rings; stick pins, studs and slides; and chains and pendants; “Jewelry for Gentleman” expertly weaves the old and the contemporary into a cohesive narrative that feels utterly relevant to today’s style and trends.
Sherwood explains in the book’s introduction, “Jewelry for Gentlemen celebrates times and tastes past that modern men have adapted and restyled for the twenty-first century. It also showcases pieces of jewelry that will be future heirlooms, as made by modern masters.”
Sherwood is a style journalist who currently contributes to the Financial Times and the International Herald Tribune. He’s written several books on men’s style, with a focus on tailoring and jewelry.
“Jewelry for Gentleman” is available through Thames & Hudson. The hardcover book’s 256 pages contain more than 400 illustrations, 300 of which are in color. It sells for $45.

The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller