Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Jewelers boost offerings for same-gender couples
As more states fight to legalize gay marriage and the bridal market begins to grow for same-gender couples, two more retailers have expanded their product selection to tap into the growing opportunity.

While the figure continually is changing as new laws are made and others struck down, the numbers continue to trend in favor of marriage equality for same-gender couples.
This provides a bump for the wedding market, and retailers that are open to change are capturing the new opportunities with increased support and expanded product selections targeted at the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender--or LGBT--community.
To tap into this growing market, online retailer Brilliance is launching a line of men’s engagement rings called “Mangagement Rings.”
Brilliance said that the inspiration for the new line came in part after the company saw many customers seeking a man’s engagement ring but ended up creating a custom piece since no one was offering a dedicated line of such.
After they started seeing this, the company began to research whether there was interest in such a collection, coming to the conclusion that, in fact, there was.
Brilliance said that the line makes them the first major retailer to create a dedicated line of engagement rings designed specifically for men that aren’t just re-purposed wedding bands or rings for women. With the Mangagement line, Brilliance is focusing on the structure of the rings--sharper angles, wider bands, and unconventional shapes.
Brilliance also is offering a custom design service for those who don’t see any rings that speak to their preferences.
The collection is slated to launch mid-October and only will be available online at Brilliance.com. It will include rings made in gold, platinum and palladium, with some designs available in silver for affordability. Brilliance is projecting a range of prices from $950 to $9,750 for the rings that will be included in the initial line.
“This project has been in the works for a long time, and it is finally coming together for launch,” Shai Barel, director of strategic partnerships at Brilliance, told National Jeweler. “It happens to be the perfect time, when you think about it, because of
RELATED CONTENT: The change that is bringing opportunity
He added that while Brilliance will be advertising anywhere that reaches a primarily younger, male demographic, they also want to extend beyond the LGBT market by tapping into the increasing number of women who want to propose to their male partners--another increasing trend that the company has identified in the industry.
Its marketing initiatives involve mostly online avenues such as social media and Google advertising, in addition to several highly-targeted print publications.
In similar news, Kingston Fine Jewelry in Kingston, N.Y. has added bridal jewelry designed for the LGBT community to its offerings at the store.
Kingston now is selling bridal pieces designed for same-sex couples by New York-based designer Rony Tennenbaum, “joining the new generation of jewelry pioneers that are taking an accepting stance and showing support for the LGBT community,” it said.
The store said adding Tennenbaum’s line will allow them a wider outreach and enable them to include same-gender couples as part of their “all-inclusive accepted family of customers.”
RELATED CONTENT: Another chain taps into the LGBT wedding market
In addition to showing its support for the LGBT community, Kingston also said carrying Tennenbaum’s line will boost its local presence and following by strengthening its foothold as a bridal destination.
Other retailers that currently carry Tennenbaum’s LGBT Collection include Ben Bridge Jeweler in Tacoma and Spokane, Wash., Rogers & Holland and Sparkle in Chicago, and Christensen & Rafferty in San Francisco and Richmond, Va.
The Latest

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.


Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.