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.
TrendsSep 29, 2016
Town & Country Editor Pens Book on Jewelry Design
Stellene Volandes’ Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design is out this month.
Pictured here is a collar by Giampiero Bodino, as featured in Rizzoli’s Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design, written by Stellene Volandes.
New York--In her new book, Town & Country Editor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes explores the fantastical, the awesome and the unbelievable in jewelry design.
Out from Rizzoli this month, Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design focuses on the extraordinary works of 17 contemporary talents, hailing from various geographical and cultural backgrounds and connected only by the thread of having mastered their shared medium.
Jeweler commences with a look into German, family-run design house Hemmerle, which experienced a rebirth in the 1990s, emerging as an innovative and adventurous home for jewelry formed from the marriage of seemingly disparate materials. Pieces like a set of earrings that consist of brilliant beryl stones set in white gold and copper that are surrounded by pebbles, or ornate food-inspired brooches depicting cauliflower and pomegranate illustrate Hemmerle’s creativity.
Volandes charts the colorful life and jewels (and language) of Nicholas Varney, an American designer born into a family of maximalist interior design who, conversely, played college baseball and treasures his time spent at his farm upstate.
His bold, brilliantly hued designs bring to mind the former of Varney’s influences. He sets tourmalines, amethysts and diamonds into large pieces of labradorite, jade and agate, held in place by enormous gold prongs, themselves set with brilliant diamonds. Varney’s pieces are exuberant and loud in their non-classical aesthetic.
An emerald necklace by Judy Geib
(Image courtesy of Rizzoli)
(Image courtesy of Rizzoli)
Ceramic and amethyst rings by James de Givenchy
(Image courtesy of Rizzoli)
(Image courtesy of Rizzoli)
A cauliflower brooch by Hemmerle
(Image courtesy of Rizzoli)
(Image courtesy of Rizzoli)
Collar by Giampiero Bodino
(Image courtesy of Rizzoli)
(Image courtesy of Rizzoli)
New York-based Judy Geib’s idiosyncratic works also are on display in Jeweler, with Volandes noting the handmade element that permeates her design ethos. Geib’s pieces convey a feeling of experimentation and exploration rather than one cohesive story. On one page, a geometrical masterpiece of rectangular emeralds making up the entire length of a necklace sits next to a pair of organic, fluid ruby and diamond earrings. Volandes paints Geib’s studio as a repository for her varied influences and ideas, ranging from calligraphy to architecture.
Elena Votsi, Mark Davis, Wallace Chan, James de Givenchy, Giampiero Bodino, Suzanne Syz, Bhagat, Sevan Bicakci, Lydia Courteille, Muriel Grateau, Luz Camino, Antonia Miletto, Marie-Helene de Taillac, and Lauren Adriana complete the roster of jewelry designers featured in the book.
Volandes lends context to each of these designer’s visual oeuvres. Of course, jewelry speaks best through imagery and Jeweler doesn’t disappoint with 300 color images.
Jeweler includes a forward by Carolina Herrera. It is out now from Rizzoli.
More on Trends
The Latest
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.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
