SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
OtherJul 13, 2015
Designer’s Diary: The bottom line
In an industry centered around product with such intrinsic value, designer and columnist Jacqueline Stone challenges today’s buyers to follow their love of the craft rather than a sales sheet in her latest Diary entry.
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.
It’s no secret that art suffers as soon as it becomes a commodity. When something is born from focus groups rather than passion, and engineered for sales rather than sprouting from an artist’s soul, we’re left with something of little value once the trends and seasons shift.
Jewelry and money have always had an inextricable relationship. Jewelry is a decorative art, but unlike an armoire or pottery, jewelry cannot be made from almost nothing. It has inherent and rare value because it’s created from the most beautiful and rare materials we can find on this planet.
But just like art, it needs to be inspired, designed and crafted from passion--from someone with a unique vision and sensibility who can transform the raw materials into something sublime and greater than monetary value.
Jewelry that maintains its value and appreciates over time is not created from what’s trending for fall or what is guaranteed to sell out. So why do we put so much focus on this at market? What if, like a trembling man on bended knee and the recipient who says yes, we could take a chance, a leap of faith, and say yes to something with no guarantee?
When I interact with buyers at trade shows, it’s often about their bottom line: budget, trends, what’s selling now and what’s the least risky. It’s ironic to me that something designed with passion and so commonly used as a symbol of love is so often boiled down to risk management. What on earth is riskier than love?
Ask any jewelry designer why they are in the business, and few would tell you it’s to make money. So I’d like to challenge buyers to think with their hearts instead of their spreadsheets, as well. Ask yourself what you love about jewelry. When did you first fall in love with a gemstone or design? I’ll bet it was long before you knew how to work Microsoft Excel.
What if you could enter a trade show in the spirit of discovery and exploration, rather than finding the most cost-effective ways to fill a rigid quota? What if you let go of the idea of buying altogether and used this time to reconnect with the magnificence of gemstones, the love of the craft, meeting new people and supporting new designers? I’m guessing you’ll walk away with something you didn’t expect
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
to find, but feel passionate about and believe in nonetheless.
I walked away from an incredibly lucrative career in finance in order to follow my dream of becoming a jewelry designer. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve found success as long as I followed my passion and created what brought me joy. I believe if buyers followed their heart instead of the sales sheets, their bottom line can become a genuine love for the craft that would be impossible for their clients to ignore.
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
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
