Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
OtherAug 10, 2016
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
the large number of states that are legalizing gay marriage and the fact that primary demographic for this is gay men. We feel this is the prime time to get into the market and offer something like this.”
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.
More on Other
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Harwell Godfrey, Stephanie Gottlieb Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire ReliefSeveral jewelry designers are lending a helping hand to charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
TrendsJan 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Elsa Jin’s ‘Mozi’ BroochAdrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
SourcingJan 10, 2025
De Beers, GJEPC Partner to Promote Natural DiamondsThe pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.
Weekly QuizJan 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeJan 09, 2025
US Customs Seizes Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. JewelsOfficers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.
CollectionsJan 09, 2025
Karma El Khalil’s New Collection is an Ode to the MoonThe “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
Events & AwardsJan 09, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
SourcingJan 09, 2025
Reena Ahluwalia Unveils New Works in ‘Diamond Trails’ AnthologyThe artist collaborated with industry creatives on the project, which features five fictional stories and five corresponding paintings.
IndependentsJan 09, 2025
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $26K for Children’s Hospital at Charity BallNine jewelers donated jewels for a raffle to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation at Virginia Commonwealth University.
WatchesJan 08, 2025
Oris Debuts Hot Pink Miss Piggy WatchMiss Piggy shared her thoughts on being fabulous, the importance of accessories, and how to be your own cheerleader.
Lab-GrownJan 08, 2025
Effy Introduces Brand Dedicated to Lab-Grown Diamonds“Promise by Effy” includes fashion jewelry and engagement rings.
IndependentsJan 08, 2025
Haltom’s Jewelers to Close After 130 YearsThe Texas-based jeweler is closing all three locations.
TrendsJan 08, 2025
Zendaya’s Engagement Ring Combines Vintage and Modern ElementsZendaya’s ring, featuring an east-west set elongated cushion-cut diamond, is said to be from British designer Jessica McCormack.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: The Hottest Digital Marketing Trends For 2025Micro-influencers, customer reviews, and shoppable videos are going to be key to getting customers’ attention, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsJan 07, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: January Is for GarnetGarnet is comprised of a group of minerals, giving those with a birthday in January options when it comes to their birthstone.
IndependentsJan 07, 2025
Edge Retail Academy Names 2024 ‘Wag’ Award Winner The annual award, created in memory of business coach William “Wag” Wagner, went to a retailer in Fairfax, Virginia.
MajorsJan 07, 2025
Jewelers for Children Promotes Round-Up Fundraising ProgramRetailers and vendors can ask customers to make a donation by rounding up to the next dollar at checkout.
SourcingJan 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House To Debut Lightning Ridge Opal CollectionThe wholesaler is partnering with Australian brand Cheal Opal on a new offering of calibrated stones.
EditorsJan 06, 2025
White Hot: 8 Glamorous Jewelry Looks From the Golden GlobesFrom Zendaya to Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña, many stars at the 82nd Golden Globes were wearing white gold or platinum jewelry.
CrimeJan 06, 2025
FBI Adds 2 Suspected Jewelry Thieves to Its Wanted ListDescribed by JSA as being “habitual offenders,” Vasile Sava and Onita Rostas have federal warrants out for their arrest in Kansas.
MajorsJan 06, 2025
PDPaola Opens First U.S. StoreThe Barcelona-based brand’s flagship boutique is located in New York City’s West Village neighborhood.
IndependentsJan 06, 2025
Facets of Fire Debuts New Jewelry DisplaysA solar-powered loose diamond holder rotates the stones to show off how they catch the light.
IndependentsJan 03, 2025
Kelly Newton, Shipley Award Winner and Devoted Family Man, Dies at 74Newton owned and operated Newton’s Jewelers in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is remembered for being positive, honest, and loving.
Events & AwardsJan 03, 2025
12 Works by Glenn Lehrer, Paula Crevoshay on Display at Lapidary Museum“Synergy & Symbiosis” is open now through late April at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook, Illinois.
CollectionsJan 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renna’s ‘Butterfly Caspian’ NecklaceBegin 2025 with a butterfly intaglio symbolizing change and transformation.
