The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
Ariel Gordon Celebrates a Decade with a Vintage Capsule
The L.A. designer known for her contemporary classics is selling her personal hoard of antique, vintage and estate jewelry in honor of her brand’s 10-year anniversary.

Los Angeles—A few years ago, jewelry designer Ariel Gordon Maffei began stocking up on antique and vintage fine jewelry pieces that caught her eye, without any particular agenda.
She had always gravitated toward vintage pieces—styles like classic signet rings are a mainstay in her eponymous brand, Ariel Gordon Jewelry—but she’d never really shopped the market in earnest before.
“I always loved [vintage jewelry] for myself but didn’t know how I’d incorporate that into my contemporary line,” she explained.
Gordon Maffei’s inexplicable inspiration to shop didn’t follow any particular agenda.
“[My collection] wasn’t across any specific era or with any specific theme,” she said. “I just bought what I felt like I would want to wear.”
This year, as Ariel Gordon Jewelry turned 10, Gordon Maffei struggled to come up with a way to commemorate the anniversary.
She could reissue bestsellers from over the years, but plenty of brands did that.
Then she thought of her vintage and antique jewelry collection, and “Heritage by Ariel Gordon” was born.
“I looked down, and I had over 230 pieces of jewelry just sitting there. I thought, ‘This is going to be a moment.’”
The designer curated the capsule collection by theme, resulting in six mini-collections, like “Lucy in the Sky,” comprising jewels inspired by celestial elements.
The first mini-collection hit ArielGordonJewelry.com at the end of September, and they’ll continue to drop through March 18.
This past Wednesday, Oct. 30, marked the debut of the third mini-collection, “Golden Girls,” a mix of gold chains and chunky gold rings. (Those who are fans of Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia will be excited to know there is also an “On the Lanai” collection coming.)
Gordon Maffei views her 10th anniversary project as an ode to the jewelry industry that’s helped remind her of the timelessness of her craft.
“It felt like a really sweet, full-circle moment for me as I’m standing at my 10-year anniversary to look back at the heritage of the industry that I’ve been a part of, and see that the reason why people would wear jewelry in the Victorian era is pretty similar to the reasons why people wear my jewelry specifically,” she said. “It’s personal. It’s in honor of a birth, or a death, or a wedding, and I
“It’s a fantasy of mine that 100 years from now, someone will discover one of my pieces, and it would have the same special meaning to them, with the stories and memories it’s collected over the years.”
The Latest

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.


Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.