Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
OtherApr 01, 2014
Jewelry brands recognize Autism Awareness Month
Two brands, Persona jewelry and Breitling watches, will donate a portion of their sales to foundations that support individuals with autism and their families as well as autism research.
Persona jewelry brand launched a bead design contest benefitting the Autism Speaks organization. From left, the winning design by Beverly Muzzy of Claremore, Okla., and the runner-up created by Daniel Matta of Orlando, Fla.
New York--Two brands, Persona jewelry and Breitling watches, will donate a portion of their sales to foundations that support individuals with autism and their families as well as autism research.
First Jewelry Limited’s Persona jewelry brand teamed up with autism science and advocacy organization Autism Speaks to launch a bead contest for new design ideas for the Persona Autism Speaks collection.
The contest was promoted via the Autism Speaks Facebook page and website, and 35 designs were selected and evaluated by a panel of judges from both companies. The panel selected five designs, which were then posted online and voted on by the public.
The winning design was a heart dangle bead featuring the Autism Speaks puzzle piece from Beverly Muzzy of Claremore, Okla., and the runner-up design, a turtle with a puzzle-print shell, was by Daniel Matta of Orlando, Fla.
The new pieces will be added to the existing Persona Autism Speaks collection and sold at participating Zales stores across North America. Beads in the line are priced from $35 to $50.
Zale Corp. and Persona contribute $10 from the sale of each special collection bead to Autism Speaks’ work to increase awareness about autism, fund innovative autism research and family services, and advocate for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.
RELATED CONTENT: Zale, Persona charm line to benefit Autism Speaks
Persona first partnered with Zale in fall 2012 to launch a collection of three Autism Speaks beads. With that collection’s success, the two companies then introduced the bead design contest to include the Autism Speaks community in the design process.
Meanwhile, watch brand Breitling is donating 20 percent of proceeds from the sale of any of its watches with a blue dial at their flagship New York boutique for the entire month of April to the Els for Autism Foundation.
“Breitling has supported Ernie Els and his Els for Autism Foundation for over two years and we are excited to be able to continue in 2014,” said Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert. “We hope that by donating a percentage of our proceeds that we will be able to help build awareness around autism in the U.S. and support the Els for Autism Foundation.”
In 2013, Breitling created a limited-edition 88-piece Els for Autism watch based on the brand’s Chronomat timepiece, with proceeds from sales of the watches donated to the foundation.
Breitling also has been a sponsor and participant in the Els for Autism Gold Challenge.
The Els for Autism Foundation was established in 2009 by Ernie and Liezl Els after their son was diagnosed with the developmental disability to help young individuals and families on the autism spectrum and to create the Els Center of Excellence.
More on Other
The Latest
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
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.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
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.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 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.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
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.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
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.
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 Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
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.
