CrimeApr 28, 2025
Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels JewelryU.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
EditorsMar 23, 2016
Celebrating the Big 2-5 with Just Jules
After 25 years in business, Julie Romanenko’s brand still is going strong and has gained a new following with the launch of a bridal collection.
For designer Julie Romanenko, the passion for jewelry started early. Jewelry always has meant family and special occasions to her. When she was 11, she was making friendship bracelets for her friends out of liquid silver beads.
After graduating college, she started her jewelry career in New York’s Diamond District, taking classes at Parsons School of Design at night as she started to design, create and wear her own custom-made pieces.
People soon began to ask her where her pieces came from and in no time she had landed her first major retailer, Barneys, as she launched her line of fine jewelry, Just Jules.
Then 10 years ago, she came across some vintage lockets, which not only piqued her curiosity but would completely change the look of Just Jules--she’s now inspired by everything vintage.
Twenty-five years into her business, Romanenko reflected on what it takes to endure--passion, a plan, a lot of hard work and sleepless nights, great customers and even more passion. The fact that the brand is celebrating more than two decades in business is an ode to the things she loves and the people who love her, Romanenko said.
Last year at Couture, she launched a bridal collection and the brand gained a new following.
“The expansion happened very organically, which felt very comfortable and ‘right’ to me,” she told National Jeweler. “I had customers asking me to make them engagement and wedding rings from some existing colored stone ring styles I had been creating. The next step was to create a small collection of bridal jewelry. Many of the rings are actually made from vintage pins I had collected.”
Here are seven of the bridal pieces created by Romanenko for her 25-years-old-and-counting business, Just Jules.
This ring features a rose-cut champagne diamond with white rose-cut side stones set in 14-karat gold on a textured band ($5,725).
A vintage-inspired, half floral repousse, half diamond pave ring with an opaque rose-cut diamond and full-cut white diamond pave accents in 14-karat gold ($5,850)
A 14-karat white gold vintage-inspired Art Deco necklace with three rose-cut diamonds and full-cut pave diamonds ($4,950)
This two-tone Art Deco-inspired ring features three rose-cut diamonds set in 14-karat gold ($4,400).
Just Jules’ 14-karat gold “Game of Thrones” pendant with a round Australian black opal center and diamonds ($4,100)
A vintage-inspired Art Deco-style engagement ring with a rose-cut center diamond and full-cut diamond pave set in 14-karat gold ($6,175)
This vintage-inspired ring with champagne diamond and half-moon white diamond accents is made in 14-karat gold ($11,000).
More on Editors
The Latest
TrendsApr 28, 2025
Suzanne Kalan Launches Tech Ring Jacket CollectionHealth monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.
Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant RecipientsTen organizations were selected this year.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
