EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
OtherApr 20, 2015
Designer’s Diary: A Day in the Life
In Designer’s Diary, a new column for National Jeweler, Salt + Stone’s Jacqueline Stone will detail her ups and downs as an emerging jewelry designer. Her first column describes a typical day in the life.
Jacqueline Stone is the chief creative officer of her company, Salt + Stone, working primarily with private clients to build custom engagement rings and wedding bands. She can be reached at shine@saltandstone.com.
Jewelry life can change in an instant: a sudden commission, an emergency in the Diamond District. You come to cherish the lulls.
It’s quiet here right now in the cozy first floor kitchen of the stunning Boerum Hill townhouse where I work as a part-time nanny. The baby I’m taking care of is sleeping, and I’m sipping delicious AeroPress coffee and collecting my thoughts. It’s not even 2 p.m. and I feel like it should be midnight. The hustle of my business is slowly turning into a tidal wave. But I’m learning how to enjoy the ride.
My morning started at 7 a.m. Full weeks of 12-hour days are not for the faint at heart. Eyes barely cracked, I started in bed with phone calls. I call three of my friends each day. If I didn’t, I would be utterly alone in the stampede of my start-up. I left voicemails for Taylor and Barbara and was about to make the next call when a text message from another friend stops me in my tracks: “My sister’s in a coma. Are you with the kids?”
I spring into action. Amelia is ordered to come over immediately for coffee and hugs. Patty, another friend, comes over with Italian pastries and her dog Bailey. There are many hugs; Amelia sheds tears. I leave them on the couch in my living room and pad down the hall to my home studio. Ten things to do in 45 minutes? I got this.
GIA certs are scanned and sent. The 1.80-carat oval is breathtaking and I’m thrilled that Jake, my private client, fell in love with it as much as I did. I’m hoping the accompanying custom-cut diamond bird is a go. I’ll meet with the diamond cutter tomorrow. I think it’s a nice nod to their love story that’s incorporated into their piece, aptly named “True Love’s Return.”
Bianca broke up with Jake, but a few years later he wore her down for another date. The saying “If you let something go and it comes back to you…,” is definitely a truism in matters of the heart, from what I’ve seen. I find this one especially sweet, as he adores her so.
The list continues: I need to alert Dominick, a custom engagement ring client, that the Diamond District shuts down early on Friday. I can bring by the emerald cuts
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
for him and his girlfriend Tara to cull through, but it’ll have to be early. I am hoping we can make it work. My diamond hunt proved successful, and I found a few stones that lit up my heart. I really want to let them take a look before they’re released back on the exchange.
Dominick was referred to me by my client Nick. Nick commissioned one of my favorite pieces, “Something Blue.” It featured a stunning 4.52-carat Montana sapphire in the most vibrant hue of blue I’ve ever seen, with just a hint of violet. Nick’s wife definitely sports a show stopper and I’m glad it’s driving new business.
Next is email catch-up then it’s out the door I go. My part-time nanny gig adds some financial stability in light of my uncertain cash flow. Building a business means learning to trust.
That’s what’s in my mind as I sit here sipping afternoon coffee. I have to believe that jewelry is my path, because I have no other choice; I love it too much--the discipline of drafting, the liberation of color, the ancient forms of metal and stone. I deeply believe that I can live heart first.
The baby is stirring. When he wakes we’ll be off to grab his elder brother from school and drop him off at Hapkido (similar to karate.) Then I’m released from my child care duties for the day.
I hop on the subway and race the clock. The Diamond District shuts its doors at 5 p.m. sharp. I’m off to visit Paulo, the incredible lapidary who imports rough from his brother’s mine in Brazil and cuts everything by hand in his tiny studio. Last week, he delivered a prehnite mermaid tail. Today I’m grabbing seashells of turquoise and amethyst. His passion and craftsmanship never disappoint.
If time allows I’ll shoot over to the caster to grab the latest. I need to clean the models and create silicon molds. I have a sneaking suspicion that the stingrays in alloys of silver and gold will be a hit. I’m prepping mass production for the summer collection.
Back on the train again to the home studio grind. Now the day begins. It’s 6:30 p.m. I owe four separate prospective grooms--Jake, Anton, John and Dominick--technical designs for their beloveds’ engagement rings.
I have to check in with Lana, send notes to Vivian and Hattie, and drop a line to the incredible Marcia Budet, a fellow designer who was named a JCK Rising Star for 2015.
Lastly, it’s a to-do list for the following day. If I don’t have a map to follow I risk drowning in the chaos. I enjoy the moving variables and the uncertainty of it all. It appeals to my artistic tendencies. However, without an outline my list of deliverables seems to grow. I take my yearly, monthly and daily goals seriously, as do all entrepreneurs.
It’s yet again the end of another 14-hour day, but you’ll hear no complaints. I live for jewelry. It’s my passion, my heart and my purpose. I haven’t met a jeweler yet who doesn’t share that credo. We are a fierce bunch, and I’m so excited to provide an inside look of the lives of small fish in this enormous pond.
Emerging designers don’t have it easy, but I’ve found that nothing worth having ever is. I can’t wait to highlight the talents of my community. There is so much magic to be shared.
Jacqueline Stone has a background in finance, marketing, advertising, product development, fine jewelry manufacturing, design and sourcing. She currently is the chief creative officer of her company, Salt + Stone, working primarily with private clients to build custom engagement rings and wedding bands. Stone can be reached at shine@saltandstone.com.
More on Other
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
