Trends

Brent Neale Is the Name to Know Now in Jewelry Design

TrendsMay 07, 2018

Brent Neale Is the Name to Know Now in Jewelry Design

In less than a year, the Kara Ross alum’s colorful creations have gotten the attention of retailers like Barney’s and Forty Five Ten.

20180507_BrentNeale1.jpg
Here is one of the Brent Neale’s signature pieces—the medium Rainbow ring in 18-karat gold with an opal, diamonds, pink tourmaline, citrine and blue topaz ($8,225).

New York--It can take years for talented designers to gain traction in their careers but every once in a while, a brand comes along that instantly attracts attention from retailers and editors alike.

Based out of New York City, Brent Neale is the name to know how now in jewelry design.

The eponymous label launched last summer with a joyful menagerie of flora and fauna—think rainbow tassel pendants and carved flower open rings accented with gold bees.

Though Neale’s confident and mature design voice might seem out of nowhere, it’s actually the result of working behind the scenes in the industry for years.

National Jeweler chatted with the up-and-comer about where she’s been and what the future holds.


Brent Neale’s medium Clover Floral Archway Door earrings in 18-karat gold with diamonds, turquoise and blue topaz ($6,750)

National Jeweler: Can you tell me a bit about your professional background? What led you to jewelry?

Brent Neale: After graduating from Johns Hopkins University, I started working in NYC for a large company doing private-label design. Everything I was doing was self-taught and I decided if I really wanted to be a designer, I needed a proper education. I was accepted to FIT and completed their two-year jewelry design program. I started working for Kara Ross after graduation and was there for eight years.

NJ: How did your experience at Kara Ross inform the launch of your own brand?
 
BN: I learned so much from Kara Ross I could take up this entire interview talking about it! The bottom line is: She’s a force of nature, and the most important lesson I learned was that you have to listen to your gut about design. Kara would always say “Do you love it? You have to love it!" And now I don’t make one single piece I don’t love. 

NJ: How would you describe the Brent Neale aesthetic?

BN: I think for sure whimsical, fun, happy but also very personal. I try to bottle a little bit of “childhood wonder” as well because I think it juxtaposes so beautifully with the idea of fine jewelry. 

NJ: You have a knack for expressing joy through color. Which gems are speaking to you the most right now?


The double Wildflower Bee ring is available in ebony wood (pictured), turquoise, malachite, white agate or lapis. It’s set in 18-karat gold with diamonds ($5,535).

BN:
I’m working with rainbow moonstone at the moment and while it’s a really hard stone to work with in large scale because of all of the inclusions (I’ve cut one of the mushroom pieces four times), it’s so beautiful when you get it right that it’s worth it.

NJ: In less than a year since launching you’ve landed at Barneys and had trunk shows at Moda Operandi. What are your other retail goals? Ideally, how many and what kind of stores would you like to be in?

BN: For me, it’s not about numbers. I want to be in stores that really love the aesthetic and will place the pieces with clients that will treasure them. All my current retailers, which also include Forty Five Ten and Fivestory, are fashion trendsetters, and they know their customers exceedingly well. Clearly I gravitate towards doors that know how to dress a woman from head to toe. 

NJ: Your recent press preview celebrating your Barneys launch featured a virtual reality component. What are your plans for virtual reality—will Brent Neale customers be able to experience it in some way? What was your inspiration for the project?

BN: I’m showcasing the virtual reality at my trunk show at the Moda Operandi Townhouse in mid-May, and that will be the first time customers will be able to interact with it. Jewelry doesn’t often have the same ability as fashion to create a world around it, like a runway show, so this was my way to let the public feel immersed in the aesthetic of the jewelry. The first reactions have been fantastic so I’m excited to see where we can take it.

NJ: Over the past year you’ve added new motifs to your oeuvre, like the doors and mushrooms. Are there any symbols or motifs you have your sights set on next?

BN: I’m focusing on new palettes at the moment and having lots of fun with some new stones. Sometimes I have too many ideas and I need to pull back and focus on growing and nurturing what’s already there.

NJ: How often will you introduce new collections and/or pieces for retailers?

BN: Two times a year, with some special capsules from time to time.

NJ: What’s the retail price range of your offerings?

BN: The collection starts at around $550 with studs and currently goes up to $16,000, but the majority of the pieces fall in the $1,500 to $7,000 range.


Wildflower earrings in 18-karat gold with emeralds, citrine and diamonds ($16,095)

NJ: Do you have any trade show aspirations?

BN: I will be debuting at Couture this year with For Future Reference—come see us in booth 601!

NJ: At the moment, what’s your favorite piece to wear and why? 

BN: That’s so hard. But honestly, that rainbow mushroom pendant I talked about before is currently in the lead. Not only is it so magical to look at, but the difficulties in getting the piece made remind me to keep at it because all the hard work will be worth it in the end.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Sothebys The Desert Rose orangy pink diamond collectors week
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

Calvin Klein watch and jewelry campaign
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff Impact

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

Mark Davis Bullseye Necklace
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Image #1_Resized.png
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and Coaching

Sponsored by Clientbook

Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
GIA’s new report for lab-grown diamonds
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

Botswana President Duma Boko
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales Slump

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

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.

Afton Robertson-Kanne Borsheims
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry Buyer

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis Students

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

Taylor Swift Engaged
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond Cuts

The singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.

11,685-carat Imboo emerald
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem Mine

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.

Shopping cart
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income Worries

Plans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.

Mine + Found Play Collection Prize Bubble Locket, Whistle Pendent, Fortune Dice
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful

The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.

CCWW lifesaver necklace
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

Nick Jonas x Fossil Campaign
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil Campaign

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

Wally Hinkamp and Donna Hinkamp Warren
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 Years

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-Gifting

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.

London Jewelers Rolex East Hampton Boutique Exterior
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons Home

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

Madison Keys
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US Open

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

WatchTime New York
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary Edition

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

×

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