Trends

Ariel Gordon Celebrates a Decade with a Vintage Capsule

TrendsOct 31, 2019

Ariel Gordon Celebrates a Decade with a Vintage Capsule

The L.A. designer known for her contemporary classics is selling her personal hoard of antique, vintage and estate jewelry in honor of her brand’s 10-year anniversary.

20191030_ArielGordon.jpg
The jewelry pictured here is from one of Ariel Gordon Jewelry’s six mini-collections sold on occasion of the brand’s 10-year anniversary. Called “Lucy in the Sky,” it incorporates celestial elements.

Los Angeles—A few years ago, jewelry designer Ariel Gordon Maffei began stocking up on antique and vintage fine jewelry pieces that caught her eye, without any particular agenda.

She had always gravitated toward vintage pieces—styles like classic signet rings are a mainstay in her eponymous brand, Ariel Gordon Jewelry—but she’d never really shopped the market in earnest before.

“I always loved [vintage jewelry] for myself but didn’t know how I’d incorporate that into my contemporary line,” she explained.

Gordon Maffei’s inexplicable inspiration to shop didn’t follow any particular agenda.

“[My collection] wasn’t across any specific era or with any specific theme,” she said. “I just bought what I felt like I would want to wear.”

This year, as Ariel Gordon Jewelry turned 10, Gordon Maffei struggled to come up with a way to commemorate the anniversary.

She could reissue bestsellers from over the years, but plenty of brands did that.

Then she thought of her vintage and antique jewelry collection, and “Heritage by Ariel Gordon” was born.

“I looked down, and I had over 230 pieces of jewelry just sitting there. I thought, ‘This is going to be a moment.’”


Styles from the third Ariel Gordon Jewelry mini-collection of estate and vintage jewels, “Golden Girls,” which dropped Wednesday.

The designer curated the capsule collection by theme, resulting in six mini-collections, like “Lucy in the Sky,” comprising jewels inspired by celestial elements.

The first mini-collection hit ArielGordonJewelry.com at the end of September, and they’ll continue to drop through March 18.

This past Wednesday, Oct. 30, marked the debut of the third mini-collection, “Golden Girls,” a mix of gold chains and chunky gold rings. (Those who are fans of Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia will be excited to know there is also an “On the Lanai” collection coming.)

Gordon Maffei views her 10th anniversary project as an ode to the jewelry industry that’s helped remind her of the timelessness of her craft.

“It felt like a really sweet, full-circle moment for me as I’m standing at my 10-year anniversary to look back at the heritage of the industry that I’ve been a part of, and see that the reason why people would wear jewelry in the Victorian era is pretty similar to the reasons why people wear my jewelry specifically,” she said. “It’s personal. It’s in honor of a birth, or a death, or a wedding, and I

incorporate hand-engraved elements crafted in the same manner that things were engraved in antique jewelry.

“It’s a fantasy of mine that 100 years from now, someone will discover one of my pieces, and it would have the same special meaning to them, with the stories and memories it’s collected over the years.”

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Lugano Diamonds Greenwich Connecticut store
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano Jewelry

The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.

Stephanie Gottlieb Wholesale Lab-Grown Collection
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection Wholesale

The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Sean Dunn
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean Dunn

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

Bulgari pink diamond
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' Diamond

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.

Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Greenwich St. Jewelers Island Jewel candle
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like Home

The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.

TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner

The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Cover.jpg
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Stock image of a person holding holidays bags
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday Season

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

Elisa Solomon x Serendipity 3 Frozen Hot Chocolate Charm
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ Charm

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

8 carat fancy blue diamond
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

Ebel sport classic watch
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5M

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.

Stock image of paper money and coins
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins

This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

Brent Neale Back to Basics Collection Pink Garnet Capsule
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

Ethical Gem Fair Brooklyn
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Brooklyn

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

Ara Chanakian Overall Design Winner
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design Contest

Ara Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.

Reba McEntire belt buckle
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s Auctions

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

overnght sb 1026.png
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling Experience

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The entrance to The Plumb Club pavilion at JCK Las Vegas
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures Mount

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Woman wearing Blue Nile Royal Asscher jewelry
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond Beauty

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

Audemars Piguet Risoud Eclipse Necklace
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

Juan Morales and Joseph Nicosia
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEO

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

American Gem Trade Association logo
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards Entries

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

Stock image a police car
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-Grabs

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

The Retail Smiths Principal Partner Sherry Smith
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?

Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.

Molly Stillman @fashionveggie, Beth Jones @bjonesstyle, Helene Cortez @cortezhelene, and Haley Jordan @haleyjordan12 
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ Campaign

In the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.

Bryan Cowan and Tom Schwartz
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMO

FGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy