SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
EditorsJul 11, 2017
JA New York’s New Designer Gallery At a Glance
Ten emerging brands will be featured at the show later this month.
Beloved NYC, a line of modern-day mourning jewelry like this “Forget Me Not” locket bracelet, is debuting at JA New York this month.
The upcoming JA New York Summer show will feature 10 emerging brands that are either exhibiting for the first time or are still new to the jewelry trade show circuit as part of the show’s New Designer Gallery.
Each brand will be eligible to win the Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year Award, which is voted on by show-goers and bestowed upon the brand that is most popular with the crowd.
While JA New York’s New Designer Gallery was featured in the JA New York spring show for the first time earlier this year (in the past, the gallery only took place at the summer show), the Mort Abelson award is still relegated to the summer edition only.
Last year, Alexis Kletjian took home the coveted honor, which has been bestowed upon a who’s who of contemporary design talent over the years.
Let’s meet this year’s contenders.
Justin Brown Jewelry
Designer: Justin A. Brown
Location: Rockland, Massachusetts
Launched: 2015
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Retail Price Range: $150 - $3,000
Instagram: @justinbrownjewelry
Beloved NYC
Designer: Masha Shapiro
Location: New York City
Launched: 2017 at the JA New York summer show
Retail Price Range: $960-$8,000
Instagram: @belovednyc
Sam Woehrmann
Designer: Sam Woehrmann
Location: San Francisco
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: Anywhere from $80 for small silver studs to $6,000 for large, one-of-a-kind pieces; generally in the $400 to $1,000 range
Instagram: @SamWoehrmann
East Fourth Street
Designer: Susan Crow
Location: Northfield, Minnesota
Launched: 2010
Retail Price Range: $110-$4,800
Instagram: @east_fourth_street
JeweLyrie
Designer: Huan Wang
Location: Paterson, New Jersey
Launched: 2016
Retail Price Range: $500 for small pendant and studs to $4,000 for wide cigar bands and statement earrings; average price range is $1,000 to $3,000
Instagram: @jewelyrie
Diane Dorsey Designs
Designer: Diane Dorsey
Location: Los Olivos, California
Launched: 2015
Retail Price Range: $140-$8,500
Instagram: @dianedorseydesigns
Onirikka
Designer: Gloria Rank
Location: El Salvador and New York City
Launch: 2013
Retail Price Range: $475 to $15,000
Instagram: @onirikkajewelry
Moratorium
Designer: Jeanette Lai Thomas
Location: New York City
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: $1,400 to $14,500 and up
Instagram: @moratorium.nyc
Loriann Jewelry
Designer: Lori Friedman
Location: Westport, Connecticut
Launched: 2016
Retail Price Range: $800-$5,000
Instagram: @loriannjewelry
Erin DeLuca Jewelry
Designer: Erin DeLuca
Location: Redding, Connecticut
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: $70-$6,000
Instagram: @erindelucajewelry
Instagram: @justinbrownjewelry
Beloved NYC
Designer: Masha Shapiro
Location: New York City
Launched: 2017 at the JA New York summer show
Retail Price Range: $960-$8,000
Instagram: @belovednyc
Sam Woehrmann
Designer: Sam Woehrmann
Location: San Francisco
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: Anywhere from $80 for small silver studs to $6,000 for large, one-of-a-kind pieces; generally in the $400 to $1,000 range
Instagram: @SamWoehrmann
East Fourth Street
Designer: Susan Crow
Location: Northfield, Minnesota
Launched: 2010
Retail Price Range: $110-$4,800
Instagram: @east_fourth_street
JeweLyrie
Designer: Huan Wang
Location: Paterson, New Jersey
Launched: 2016
Retail Price Range: $500 for small pendant and studs to $4,000 for wide cigar bands and statement earrings; average price range is $1,000 to $3,000
Instagram: @jewelyrie
Diane Dorsey Designs
Designer: Diane Dorsey
Location: Los Olivos, California
Launched: 2015
Retail Price Range: $140-$8,500
Instagram: @dianedorseydesigns
Onirikka
Designer: Gloria Rank
Location: El Salvador and New York City
Launch: 2013
Retail Price Range: $475 to $15,000
Instagram: @onirikkajewelry
Moratorium
Designer: Jeanette Lai Thomas
Location: New York City
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: $1,400 to $14,500 and up
Instagram: @moratorium.nyc
Loriann Jewelry
Designer: Lori Friedman
Location: Westport, Connecticut
Launched: 2016
Retail Price Range: $800-$5,000
Instagram: @loriannjewelry
Erin DeLuca Jewelry
Designer: Erin DeLuca
Location: Redding, Connecticut
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: $70-$6,000
Instagram: @erindelucajewelry
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Weekly QuizSep 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry AuctionThe fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, PersonalizationThis holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.
