From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
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.

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.’”
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
“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.”
The Latest

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.


The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.























