CollectionsJan 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s Lunar New Year NecklaceThe one-of-a-kind necklace was designed in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
TrendsSep 14, 2020
Monica Rich Kosann Becomes Certified B Corporation
The designation is awarded to socially and environmentally friendly companies.
Monica Rich Kosann’s “Sun, Moon and Stars Gate Locket” in 18-karat gold with diamonds is new for fall. The company is now a Certified B Corporation, a designation awarded to socially and environmentally friendly companies.
New York—A third party can now assure customers their money is well spent with Monica Rich Kosann.
The jewelry design company is now a Certified B Corporation. The designation is awarded to socially and environmentally friendly companies.
According to Certified B, “Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.
“B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.”
Currently, there are 3,522 Certified B companies across 150 industries in 74 countries. Some of the most well-known are Vermont ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s and social media company Hootsuite.
Monica Rich Kosann (MRK) CEO Rod Kosann explained that receiving the B Corp designation through B Labs “was a long process” that took more than a year and evaluated five areas: governance, workers, customers, environment and community.
Being a B Corp company means continuous evaluation and improving upon business practices, Kosann explained.
Currently, some examples of the brand’s social and environmental considerations include working with vetted manufacturing partners, including many precious metals suppliers that are also members of the Responsible Jewellery Council.
Additionally, more than half of the gold the company uses is recycled.
On the packaging front, MRK utilizes 70 percent recycled cardboard packaging for jewelry boxes and 100 percent Sustainable Forestry Initiative-certified tissue paper.
The company’s UPS Ground Shipping is conducted through their carbon offset program, which supports verified emission reduction projects around the world.
When it comes to battling gender inequality in the workplace, 92 percent of the MRK team are women, with all business managers other than the CEO being women.
Through the years, MRK has raised money for several charitable organizations through its Monica Cares initiative. Recent efforts have benefitted front line health care workers, Blessings in a Backpack, Embrace Race, and the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.
A current selection of specially designed jewels from the Poesy Ring Collection donate more than 50 percent of proceeds to partner organizations North Shore Animal League America and Women in Need.
MRK will undergo an additional review process to maintain its B Certification every three years. 
Meanwhile, on the design front, the company recently partnered with fellow New York City-based artist and illustrator Amber Vittoria on three commissioned illustrations inspired by
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
three MRK “Poesy” stacking ring styles.
“I have always admired the strength, bold use of color and graphic artistry of Amber Vittoria’s illustrations,” the designer Kosann said.
The Poesy rings range in price from $48 for silver versions and $2,345 for 18-karat gold with diamond and gemstone iterations. Half of the proceeds from one of the designs, the “Unity” ring, will benefit organization Embrace Race.
“I have always admired the strength, bold use of color and graphic artistry of Amber Vittoria’s illustrations,” the designer Kosann said.
The Poesy rings range in price from $48 for silver versions and $2,345 for 18-karat gold with diamond and gemstone iterations. Half of the proceeds from one of the designs, the “Unity” ring, will benefit organization Embrace Race.
More on Trends
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsJan 24, 2025
Watch: Fine Jewelry Market Predictions for 2025 “My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.
SourcingJan 24, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Tucson The gemstone show is slated to take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Policies & IssuesJan 24, 2025
These Designers and Retailers Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire Relief From raffles to auctions to donations, the industry is working to aid charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
Weekly QuizJan 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeJan 23, 2025
4 Men Arrested After Allegedly Plotting to Kidnap JewelerThe suspects are accused of planning to kidnap a Miami jeweler and rob him of his cryptocurrency.
CrimeJan 23, 2025
Security Guard Killed in Armed Robbery at Namibian Diamond Co. Francis “Gosh” Eiseb, 58, was a senior protection officer for Namib Desert Diamonds, also known as Namdia, in Windhoek, Namibia.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
SourcingJan 23, 2025
RapNet, AGTA Partner to Launch Gemstone Trading NetworkThe online diamond and jewelry marketplace has expanded, introducing a new platform dedicated to colored gemstone trading.
Events & AwardsJan 23, 2025
Plumb Club Announces Speaker Lineup for Symposium ‘25The second annual learning forum for retailers is slated for March 13 at City Winery in Pier 57 in New York City.
SourcingJan 23, 2025
Fancy Color Research Foundation Names New CEORoy Safit took over the role on Jan. 1.
ColumnistsJan 22, 2025
On Data: How Did Independent Jewelers Fare in 2024? Sherry Smith shares data on the year gone by, including the breakdown between natural and lab-grown diamond sales.
Policies & IssuesJan 22, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Steps Up Aid for LA Jewelry BusinessesThe company also is matching donations made to Jewelers of America and the Diamond Council of America’s Jewelers Relief Fund.
Events & AwardsJan 22, 2025
JA Seeking Nominations for Its Next ‘20 Under 40’ ClassNow in its fourth year, the program is expanding to include a list of “20 Under 40” for jewelry suppliers.
SurveysJan 22, 2025
Holiday Sales Hit Record High, Says NRFCore retail sales during the 2024 holiday season surpassed the National Retail Federation’s forecast.
CollectionsJan 22, 2025
Foundrae’s New Collection Channels the Power of NowThe “Reach for Life” collection uses feather and arrow motifs to invite growth and inner curiosity.
ColumnistsJan 21, 2025
Peter Smith: Sales Training’s Dirty Little SecretPeter Smith pulls back the curtain on the often misinterpreted, and sometimes maligned, world of sales training.
SourcingJan 21, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Adds 2 Board MembersJulia Hackman Chafé and Monica Elias have joined the organization’s board of directors.
FinancialsJan 17, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Rise 14% in Holiday QuarterThe company, which owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, had a record Q3, with sales topping $6 billion.
CollectionsJan 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Picchiotti’s Transformable ‘Classic Blue and Green’ NecklaceThe necklace features a sapphire drop weighing more than 9 carats that detaches to transform into a ring.
MajorsJan 17, 2025
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Name First Winner of Jewelry Designer AwardJameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist brand Khiry, will receive a cash prize and a one-year paid fellowship with Tiffany & Co.
IndependentsJan 16, 2025
Lux Bond & Green to Open Sixth LocationThe 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.
WatchesJan 16, 2025
Timex Launches Collection of National Park WatchesThe watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.
AuctionsJan 16, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Line Bracelet Going up for Auction Offered by U.K. auction house Woolley & Wallis, the yellow diamond bracelet was a gift from Taylor’s good friend Michael Jackson.
Events & AwardsJan 16, 2025
JCK Las Vegas 2025 Open for RegistrationThe jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.
EditorsJan 15, 2025
The Jewelry I’d Bid On in Christie’s Iris Apfel AuctionAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.
MajorsJan 15, 2025
Macy’s to Close 66 Stores as Part of Turnaround StrategyThe closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.
