SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
TrendsMay 17, 2019
Wendy Brandes Taps ‘Style Crone’ for New Campaign
The 76-year-old model and fashion blogger is the face of the jewelry designer’s latest imagery.
Model and fashion blogger Judith Boyd of Style Crone is the new face of Wendy Brandes’ jewelry designs.
New York—Jewelry designer Wendy Brandes is known for her bold, unique pieces, and now she’s taking those characteristics and extending them to her latest campaign.
The designer has tapped 76-year-old model and fashion blogger Judith Boyd to be the face of her brand, embodying the fact that fine jewelry is desired and treasured by women of all ages.
The Denver-based Boyd spent most of her career working as a psychiatric nurse and then caring for victims of head and spinal cord injuries, and on her blog said that choosing her outfits was a way to not only express herself but also serve as a form of meditation as she approached her day.
She went on to co-own a hat shop in the 1980s and sold vintage clothing in an antique mall and on consignment from the 1990s onward.
After losing her husband to cancer in 2011, she fully embraced her fashion as a form of art and expression and eventually began documenting how she did that through her blog, Style Crone.
The new campaign featuring Boyd will be released across Wendy Brandes’ website and social media as well as on the Style Crone blog and social channels.
“I’ve known Judith through her blog Style Crone for nearly 10 years, and I’ve watched her look evolve from chic to absolutely regal,” Brandes said. “Certain jewelry themes I work with—like skulls and snakes—are too often dismissed as ‘punk’ when they’ve actually been a basis for high jewelry art for centuries or even millennia. To personify the history and majesty that fuels my work, I knew I had to work with Judith.”
In the images, Boyd models Brandes’ new “Carpe Diem” designs, featuring single black diamonds cut into skull shapes, the largest of which weigh more than 4.5 carats. The collection launched this spring and ranges in retail price from $8,000 to $20,000.
The campaign also features the jewelry designer’s “Memento Mori” skull designs and her “Queen of Scots” serpent set, which includes a solid 18-karat gold tiara with a South Sea pearl.
All pieces are one-of-a-kind or limited edition, available on 1stdibs.com and through brick-and-mortar retailers who participate in Brandes’ concierge service.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
This is the third time Brandes has chosen to go outside the norm for the images in her campaign, choosing to illustrate the diversity not often depicted in the jewelry and fashion industries.
Last year she featured models Grace Ming and Tricia Akello, born in China and Uganda respectively, for the brand’s campaign, released prior to the Couture show.
It was used across the brand’s social channels and booth decor, as well as on print imagery sent to all retailers.
Brandes also worked with Sudanese-born model Tina J for her 2012 campaign.
“One of the joys of fine jewelry is that there’s something for everyone, regardless of age, size, or any other characteristic you can think of, and if a customer’s dream piece doesn’t already exist, I can turn that vision into reality,” Brandes said. “I want to make it clear that jewelry is for everyone.”
More on Trends
The Latest
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
