PodcastsMay 20, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2016
Retrouvai Wins ‘The Next Now’ Competition
The inaugural emerging jewelry designer competition from Ylang23 and TrendSeeder was held last week in New York.
Retrouvaí, the winner of the inaugural The Next Now design competition, aims for a modern heirloom feel. Pictured here is the Magna ring in 14-karat yellow gold with white diamonds ($2,645).
New York--A group of retailers and tastemakers have crowned the winner of the first The Next Now design competition.
Held last week in New York, the competition narrowed down a pool of more than 100 applicants to a group of 70 to present their lines in person to a panel of judges in a round-table setting.
The panel consisted of Joanne Teichman, founder and managing director of Dallas jeweler Ylang23; Alvani Patel, founder and CEO of fashion incubator TrendSeeder; Steven Alan, designer and CEO; Melissa Joy Manning, fine jewelry designer; Burak Cakmak, dean of the Parson’s School of Fashion; and Will Kahn, the fashion market and accessories director at Town & Country.
The panel chose Los Angeles-based fine jewelry label Retrouvaí from designer Kirsty Stone.
Formerly called Supply + Demand Jewelry, the line was renamed this year. Retrouvaí is a take on the French word “retrouvailles,” which means “the joy in reconnecting with someone from your past,” Stone explained.
The name is appropriate for Stone’s classic design aesthetic. Entirely made in L.A., her pieces embody timeless style and possess an heirloom feel, but incorporate a touch of the unexpected. Her signet rings, for example, feature magical creatures like flying pigs and unicorns.
Mother-of-Pearl Globe necklace in 14-karat yellow gold with mother-of-pearl, white diamond and blue sapphire ($1,610)
Flying Pig signet ring in 14-karat yellow gold ($1,040)
South Sea Pearl Gypsy earrings in 14-karat yellow gold with South Sea pearls, diamonds, citrine and coral ($1,425)
Magna ring in 14-karat yellow gold with white diamonds ($2,645)
Mini Mother of Pearl Globe necklace in 14-karat yellow gold with mother-of-pearl and white diamond ($635)
“Retrouvaí is about reinterpreting very classic motifs that have been passed down through generations, and combining these with an attitude that embodies the modern woman,” said Stone. “It incorporates an element of nostalgia with a modern delivery; jewelry that women can wear with everything and have for decades.”
Stone previously worked for an architectural manufacturing firm. She shadowed a high-volume jeweler in the evenings and on weekends for nine months to learn the jewelry business, then launched her own line less than two years ago.
Stone currently works in 14-karat gold, often incorporating diamonds, South Sea pearls and mother- of-pearl in her designs. Her designs range from $600 to $5,000 retail, with the majority of her pieces retailing between $1,000 and $1,500.
Stone’s prize will include a purchase order from Ylang23 and promotion on the store’s e-commerce site, 20 hours of mentorship from Teichman and Manning, a one-year membership to TrendSeeder and a presentation to the Steven Alan buying team.
"The applicant pool was amazing,” said Teichman in a release, “and in addition to the winner, we will be extending
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
a buy to a small, select group.”
“The Next Now was a whirlwind experience,” Stone commented. “I think programs like this are invaluable to emerging talent because feedback and market validation are so critical early on. In a segment that is so saturated, it’s important for us to have a unique voice, and be able to differentiate ourselves very quickly (say five minutes in a boardroom with industry veterans).”
Ylang23 said they expected to hold another edition of The Next Now in 2017.
“The Next Now was a whirlwind experience,” Stone commented. “I think programs like this are invaluable to emerging talent because feedback and market validation are so critical early on. In a segment that is so saturated, it’s important for us to have a unique voice, and be able to differentiate ourselves very quickly (say five minutes in a boardroom with industry veterans).”
Ylang23 said they expected to hold another edition of The Next Now in 2017.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
