MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
TrendsJan 24, 2018
Rio Tinto Partners with Ana Khouri, Indie Designers
The miner enlisted a talented group of jewelry designers to create signature pieces with Australian diamonds.
Six designers, including Ana Khouri (pictured), created some of their signature pieces with Australian diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine.
New York--To promote Australian diamonds, miner Rio Tinto enlisted a group of talented independent designers to create some of their signature pieces with the stones.
Ana Khouri, Eva Fehren’s Eva Zuckerman, Ileana Makri, Anita Ko, Alison Lou’s Alison Chemla and Arpana Rayamajhi all participated in the “Diamonds with a Story Featuring Australian Diamonds” project.
Launched last week, the capsule collection consists of an array of the aforementioned designers’ signature pieces, updated with natural color diamonds in shades of champagne, pink and yellow from Western Australia’s Argyle mine, which is fully owned and operated by Rio Tinto.
Rio Tinto employs a chain of custody program that offers proof of a diamond’s provenance from mine to market and many of the “Diamonds with a Story” designers remarked on the importance of transparent and ethical sourcing.
“We do our best to research and ensure all of our materials are responsibly sourced,” said Chemla. “My customers expect that. Australian diamonds are tracked, so they’re an easy choice.”
The designers and friends feted the collection last week at Mailroom in downtown Manhattan, with a performance by French actress and singer Josephine de la Baume with her band Film Noir, and DJ sets by Ruby Aldridge, Alix Brown and Chloe Caillet.
A coffee table book by celebrity and fashion photography duo Herring & Herring commemorating the collection and designers was on hand at the event. The book features interviews with jewelry tastemakers wearing pieces from the capsule collection, including celebrity stylist Jeanann Williams, Barneys New York Fashion Director Marina Larroude and Claire Distenfeld, owner of New York boutique Fivestory.
An eternity band by Alison Lou
A signature piece from Ana Khouri takes on new life with a variety of shades of Australian diamonds
Anita Ko
The collection featured works by artist Arpana Rayamajhi, marking her first fore into fine jewelry.
Here, the full range of pieces Eva Fehren produced, with a close-up of a dramatic pair of earrings
This is the full range that Ileana Makri created for the "Diamonds with a Story" collaboration.
Commenting on the collection, Distenfeld said, “I think it’s important to know where everything in our life comes from—food, clothing, and especially diamonds. Diamonds are millions of years old, and I believe they carry the memories of the earth within them. Australian diamonds are carefully mined and tracked with great concern for the environment and, to me, that’s showing respect for these memories.”
Pieces from the capsule collection are available now on each of the six designer’s respective websites. Retail prices start at $1,000.
This is the not the first time the mining company has brought in independent jewelry designers to create pieces around its colored diamonds. Through its “Diamonds with a Story” campaign, Rio Tinto has previously collaborated with designers
More on Trends
The Latest
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
