MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2017
Dana Bronfman Wins FGI Rising Star Award
The jewelry designer, who is exhibiting at JCK Tucson, was honored last week at the Fashion Group International’s annual awards luncheon.
Here is one of Dana Bronfman’s bracelets, featuring her signature cut-out motif.
New York--Last Thursday, Fashion Group International honored its 2017 class of “Rising Stars” at its annual awards luncheon in New York.
The organization recognizes emerging designers at this event every year, in categories spanning fashion and accessories.
This year, Brooklyn-based designer Dana Bronfman received the Rising Star Award in Fine Jewelry.
“Winning the award was such an honor and a thrill,” Bronfman told National Jeweler. “It was the most exciting moment of my career to date. To be recognized by the very competitive fashion and jewelry industry is such a huge deal.”
Not long ago, the San Francisco native was pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector, though she felt a creative draw toward jewelry-making.
“I make an effort to keep philanthropy as a big part of my life and business, but creating jewelry is my passion and an amazing means to be able to give back,” Bronfman explained.
Her passion took her to the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco, where she studied her craft from the ground up. Her time at Revere led to stints working with other designers in her home town and in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In 2014, Bronfman came to New York to take some jewelry classes, and the trip proved serendipitous.
“I became so inspired,” said Bronfman. “I felt that it was the time to start my own line.”
Bronfman’s “Holy” pendant
Three years later, retailers such as Roseark, ZFolio, Regina Jewelry and Treasures, Memo Online and Sucre NYC carry her line, and she’s exhibited at JCK Tucson and Metal + Smith.
Bronfman describes her aesthetic as “quietly bold.” She works mainly in 18-karat gold and diamonds, infusing wearable pieces with uniqueness via her signature cut-outs.
“My collections have used gold and diamonds in a way inspired by industrial architecture as well as my experience as a bench jeweler; the balance between structure and movement has categorized my line,” she said.
This year, Bronfman is venturing into color with “non-traditional colored diamonds and gemstones,” which will be on display at JCK Tucson from Feb. 1 to 4.
The designer hopes that recognition from the FGI will help set her apart from the many young fine jewelry brands who approach retailers.
“I feel industry awards like this do help independent designers by helping them to receive exposure and publicity and, ultimately, credibility,” she said. “I feel encouraged to know that the industry knows I am here to stay, and that the future holds lots of excitement.”
Bronfman’s line retails between $295 and $15,000.
Her designs will be on display in the Design Center at booth DC19 at JCK Tucson.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
