MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
EditorsAug 28, 2019
Meet the Showroom Bringing Cool Jewelry Brands Stateside
Rainbowwave represents a number of emerging and established fine jewelry brands.
Designs from British jewelry designer Pippa Small, pictured, were on view recently at Rainbowwave’s New York City showroom.
Whenever an international fine jewelry brand with a unique point of view dips its toes in the American market there’s a good chance they’ve entered my purview via Rainbowwave.
Maria Lemos founded the fashion, accessories and jewelry sales showroom in London back in 2002.
Today it boasts a second office in New York City and, in addition to its staff of 45 sales professionals, a public relations and operations team.
The delightfully named company has been my introduction to brands like Venyx, Raphaele Canot and Yannis Sergakis.
Currently, the showroom represents 15 fine jewelers, including Nina Runsdorf, Ileana Makri, Nikolle Radi and Bibi van der Velden, as well as Canot and Sergakis.
A recent trip to the New York showroom introduced me to a whole new set of creatives I’d never heard of as well as a few brands planted firmly in my list of favorites like one of its few Americans, the Los Angeles-based Lizzie Mandler.
“We do not have a definitive selection criteria when it comes to style. However, one thing that we always look for is originality and craftsmanship,” Rainbowwave Jewelry Director Darren Hildrow explained of the company’s impressive cadre of designers.
“It is a joy to see designers who are brave enough to push the boundaries of design; too many fall into the trap of commerciality. Commerciality will make any designer money in the short term but will likely only lasts a couple of seasons. Originality, although a struggle in the beginning, will last a lifetime.”
Below is a highlight reel of non-commercial and boundary-pushing works I saw from designers new and established.
German designer Gisa Golpira launched Golpira as an ode to her childhood in South America, where her mother dug for gold. Golpira decided to honor gold’s natural nugget shape by incorporating the raw material into pendants, earrings and rings, sometimes accented with diamonds.
British jewelry veteran Pippa Small takes philanthropy to an unheard-of level with her Turquoise Mountain line, crafted by artisans she works with in depressed locations like Afghanistan.
Her namesake fine line is as entrancing as ever. Coiled rings and bracelets have a tribal quality that lends themselves well to her simple style, in which the materials do most of the talking, like these rubies.
Ileana Makri continues to expand on some of her favorite signatures, like an evil eye or baguette diamonds, which accent luxurious new
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
pendants. She’s also branched into hand-stamped jewelry, a nod to a traditional technique, like this ornate heart pendant.
Out of Japan, Hum exemplifies the meticulous pursuit of perfection that characterizes much of Japanese design. The brand applies a sophisticated point of view to update classic chain link bracelets and rings with interesting metal alloys and pavé diamonds.
Speaking of perfection, Lizzie Mandler has just about perfected her gold chain with her signature knife-edge.
The designer elevates daily jewelry staples with her exacting attention to detail, honing in on ideal scale, shape and texture to create truly investment-worthy pieces.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
