The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Honoring Jewelry Design, and Remembering a Legend
The Couture Design Awards started and ended with remembrances of Cindy Edelstein, with one of the great loves of her life celebrated in between--outstanding jewelry.

Las Vegas--It was an evening that started and ended with remembrances of Cindy Edelstein, with one of the great loves of her life celebrated in between--outstanding jewelry.
The Couture Design Awards, held Saturday evening in Las Vegas, featured a touching video tribute to the late consultant and designer advocate, who died unexpectedly earlier this year at the age of 51.
Among the jewelry designers featured in the video, there wound a common thread: They wouldn’t be where they were today without Cindy encouraging them while, at the same time, telling them what they needed to hear.
Designer Coomi Bhasin of Coomi remembered one meeting they had very early on in her career in which Edelstein spoke bluntly about her jewelry. “I met her … in New York City and we had lunch and she says, ‘Oh my God, the designs are beautiful but the quality’s the worst,” Bhasin said.
The designers also spoke about the fearlessness Edelstein brought to the industry and sought to transfer to others.
Pamela Froman shared this text message she received from Edelstein shortly before her death in January: “Let’s make a pact that 2016 is all about our greatness and not about all these other things that exist just to bolster our fears. We are too comfortable in our fears and doubts, and they exist just to keep us from reaching our greatness.”
“And I loved that,” Froman said.
Couture has renamed its Human Spirt Award, which is given annually to a member of the jewelry industry known for their generosity, the Cindy Edelstein Award. And the first Cindy Edelstein Award was presented in her honor two people very dear to her--her husband, Frank Stankus, and daughter, Remy Sasha Stankus.
Prior to the tribute, design awards were presented in a total of 14 categories.
The evening’s list of winners constituted a modern-day British Invasion, with Polly Wales, Stephen Webster, Tomasz Donocik and Imogen Belfield all taking home a Couture Design Award. Belfield exhibits in the Rock Vault, a collection of designers from across the pond curated by Webster; Donocik, who has taken home multiple Couture Design Awards over the last couple years, got his start there as well.
The evening also included Couture’s first People’s Choice Award, where the audience texted their votes live during the show. Anita Ko received the most votes, beating out Jorg Heinz and Schaffrath.
To see the complete list of
The Latest

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.


The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

The event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.

After the black enamel band became a best-seller for the brand, it has now launched an enamel ring personalization program.

The Austin, Texas, jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot store is set to open this summer.

“Conversations with Chris Ploof” covers tips for men buying wedding bands, behind-the-scenes footage of Ploof in his studio, and more.

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

The moves are part of the retailer’s new turnaround plan, “Grow Brand Love,” which also includes emphasizing brand loyalty over store banners.

The “Rush Hour” campaign stars Zoë Kravitz in bold, wearable pieces designed to make a statement in the workplace.

Breitling is reviving Gallet, which was founded in 1826 and is known for making watches used in the early days of long-distance travel.

Dubbed the “Mediterranean Blue,” this “remarkably rare” diamond will be part of Sotheby’s May jewelry auction in Geneva.

The American Gem Society now offers a Jewelry Evaluation Advisor designation as well as an updated Certified Sales Associate designation.

Rebecca Zeijdel-Paz created more than 75 new pieces for the residency, which will be on display at Trove’s store in New York through April.

Smith explores why a qualified candidate might still not be right for the job.

The company and its marketing agency, Loudr, were recognized for the “Make You Dance” marketing campaign.

The “Series8” and “Attesa” collections will be grouped under Citizen Premier.

David Fager, a former systems engineer at the retailer, was promoted to the role.