AuctionsApr 29, 2025
‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Pulled From AuctionThe 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
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.
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
IndependentsApr 29, 2025
Maryland Jeweler to Close After 36 YearsG.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.
ColumnistsApr 29, 2025
Google Ads vs. Social Media Ads: Which Are More Effective?Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2025
Gemfields Mini Ruby Auction Achieves $7MThe miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeApr 28, 2025
Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels JewelryU.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant RecipientsTen organizations were selected this year.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
