Events & Awards

Meet the First 6 Participants in the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative

Events & AwardsMar 31, 2021

Meet the First 6 Participants in the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative

They are: Marvin Linares, Malyia McNaughton, Jameel Mohammed, Constance Polamalu, Lisette Scott, and Dorian Webb.

20210331_Emerging Designers hero.jpg
The first six designers selected to participate in the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative are, clockwise from top left, Malyia McNaughton, Dorian Webb, Jameel Mohammed, Lisette Scott, Constance Polamalu and Marvin Linares.
New York—The selection committee behind the Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative has picked the first six designers who will participate in the Lorraine Schwartz-backed program intended to create equity for minority jewelry designers.
 
Created by Schwartz and the Natural Diamond Council, the initiative launched in January and offers a total of $1 million of diamond credit to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) designers.
 
The idea behind the program is to remove a barrier to entry to designing with diamonds—receiving and establishing a line of credit—and to allow designers to establish relationships with diamond dealers. 
 
The plan is for the credit to be extended in increments of $20,000, to a total of 50 designers.
 
Last week, the committee—which is comprised of Schwartz, NDC CEO David Kellie, celebrity stylist Jason Rembert and Vanity Fair Fashion Director Nicole Chapoteau—revealed the names of the first six designers selected.
 
They are as follows. 
 
Constance Polamalu, Birthright Foundry
Polamalu is an American-Samoan woman and first-generation jeweler who is based in Annapolis, Maryland. 
 
A new mother ignited by the turmoil of 2020, she launched her jewelry brand, Birthright Foundry, as a way to preserve and resurrect culturally significant stories. 
 
The Samoan oratory culture runs through Polamalu’s veins; she considers English her first language and jewelry her second, with all her design stories written in metal.  
 
In addition to being a new mom and the founder and CEO of Birthright Foundry, Polamalu works as the chief operating officer at Maryland independent Zachary’s Jewelers. 
 
Dorian Webb, Dorian Webb
Instagram: @dorian.webb
Webb founded her eponymous company while studying architecture at Yale University. 
 
Inspired by the artistry of Venetian glassblowing, she started out combining Murano glass with gemstones to create colorful, handcrafted pieces sold by high-end retailers in the United States, including Neiman Marcus, as well as in Canada and Japan.   
 
Her work has garnered numerous awards. In 2019, it landed her a solo exhibition at the Thelma Harris Art Gallery in Oakland and she was a finalist in the 2021 edition of TheNextNow, Ylang 23’s competition for emerging jewelry designers. 
 
After relocating from New York to Oakland, California, Webb re-evaluated her company’s goals and business model and decided to focus on online direct-to-consumer sales. She also launched Uplift, a project that created pop-up stores in empty spaces in downtown Oakland for Black businesses, artisans, and artists. 
 
An avid reader, Webb pens a monthly column for a local magazine and is working on a coffee-table book that demonstrates the existence of an influential, polyrhythmic African-American design aesthetic, and showcases often-overlooked Black artists and designers.    
 
Jameel Mohammed, Khiry
Instagram: @khiryofficial 
Mohammed began his design career at age 16, interning for Nicole Miller and Narciso Rodriguez while still in high school at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. 
 
In 2014 while studying political science at the University of Pennsylvania, a necklace Mohammed designed caught the eye of a Barneys New York executive and steered him in another direction—jewelry design. 
 
He accepted an internship at the company, where he learned the ins and outs of merchandising and retail buying, and in 2016 he launched Khiry, an Afrofuturist luxury brand. 
 
Khiry uses luxury fashion to make statements about the value of Black life and culture, and the brand’s polished and sculptural jewelry is crafted in gold vermeil and sterling silver with colored gemstones and handwoven leather embellishments. 

He also recently debuted a fine collection with Net-a-Porter.
 
Lisette Scott, Jam + Rico        
Instagram: @jamandrico
Growing up, Scott was constantly influenced by her familial cultures. 
 
Her grandparents were immigrants from Jamaica and Puerto Rico, and she was always curious about the upbringing and traditions—particularly the food and music—of their respective homelands. 
 
The colors, carnivals, art, beaches, and languages of both Jamaica and Puerto Rico all inspire Scott’s designs, and she created Jam + Rico (Jamaica and Puerto Rico) to dive deeper into both her love of creating and of the Caribbean. 

In addition to running her own company, Scott is the events chair for the newly formed Black in Jewelry Coalition (BIJC), which works for the advancement of Black professionals in the gem, jewelry and watch industries.
 
Malyia McNaughton, Made by Malyia 
Instagram: @madebymalyia
A self-taught designer based in Brooklyn, New York, McNaughton founded Made by Malyia in 2014. 
 
The youngest of five children, she was “fashion obsessed” from a young age, often reinventing her style.
 
After graduating from Florida State University, McNaughton seized an opportunity working with leading fashion brands in New York. 
 
Her jewelry brand, Made By Malyia, started with a search for the perfect body chain for an upcoming music festival, which McNaughton ended up creating on her own. 
 
Friends and strangers loved it, and soon she was making the design and selling it on Etsy. It was then that McNaughton realized she had discovered her true passion, and she quit her 9-to-5 job as a fashion buyer to design jewelry full time.   
 Her designs are inspired by New York City architecture, African culture, indigenous tribal adornment, and nature. 
 
McNaughton is also a member of the BIJC board of directors, serving as the organization’s treasurer. 
 
Marvin Linares, Marvin Douglas Jewelry 
Instagram: @_marvinxdouglas
Linares’ grandmother “stumbled across” the industry in the 1980s, introducing her grandson to the trade and using her work to bring Linares’ family from El Salvador to the United States. 
Jewelry, he said, is the reason he was born in the U.S. He was raised in Palmdale, California, a small desert city in the Antelope Valley.  
 
Linares gained experience in the industry working in sales for Tiffany & Co. and as a jewelry specialist for Dover Street Market in Los Angeles, but mainly persevered through his own persistence, curiosity, and creative nature. 
 
His brand, Marvin Douglas Jewelry, is an extension of himself, an embodiment of culture and creativity that explores Latin heritage and experience through fine jewelry, with designs intended to combine a youthful spirit with traditional craftsmanship. 
 
Linares’ designs have appeared in Vogue Mexico, Playboy, at the Super Bowl halftime show and on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards, among many others. 

 Related stories will be right here … 
 
These six designers received $20,000 in credit each, meaning there is still $880,000 in diamond financing available. 
 
The selection committee will continue to evaluate applications until the $1 million runs out. The NDC said it has additional applications in hand and expects to announce the second round of designers in July. 
 
It also is seeking additional applications. 

Anyone interested can learn more about these first six designers and apply on the NDC’s website. 

The Latest

Jeweler setting a diamond into a ring
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization Offerings

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

Jacquie Aiche graduated turquoise beaded necklace
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Lewis Heyman
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement Plans

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

CCWW Designs Multiple Shell Charm Necklace
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm Necklace

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
The Plumb Club board members
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board Members

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Jewelry industry veterans Brad Campbell and John Liebler
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Silver, Gold, and Bronze Medals for Italy Olympic Winter Games
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes Unity

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

vimeo screenshot.png
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up!

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Guinness
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGov

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

Gina Ferranti
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at Diavik

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

Jewelers of America Learning Workship Logo
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This Fall

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

Gold bracelets and bangles
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers List

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

Buccellati Opera high jewelry bracelet
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

Rolex Datejust ref. 16233
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

Jean Dinh Van Orgue Ring
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With Exhibition

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth Generation

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

Boucheron Impermanence Boucheron Dragonfly Earrings and Wisteria Hair Piece
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s Impermanence

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

James Avery Cedar Park
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More States

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford, Couture’s new brand director and former fine jewelry buyer at Neiman Marcus
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

Bench jeweler holding a ring and a tool
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic Manufacturing

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

Guzema Celestial Blue
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone Jewelry

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

Nanis Mykonos Store Exterior and Interior
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First Store

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

Long’s Jewelers Summer of Love promo
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s Jewelers

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

Ethical Gem Fair
SourcingJul 14, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to Seattle

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy