Independents

Jewelry Designer Pinar Oner Dies

IndependentsApr 20, 2016

Jewelry Designer Pinar Oner Dies

The Turkish designer, whose beautiful yellow gold and enamel designs paid homage to the architecture and culture of her homeland, died April 14 after a long battle with illness.

20160420_Pinar-Oner.jpg
This picture provided by Pat Syvrud shows Pinar Öner at work at her bench. The architecture and culture of Öner’s home country, Turkey, inspired many of her designs.

New York--Pinar Öner, whose beautiful yellow gold and enamel designs paid homage to the architecture and culture of her homeland, died peacefully at her home in Turkey on April 14 after a long battle with illness.

A native of Ankara, Turkey, Öner’s fascination with fine jewelry craftsmanship and design began when she was a young girl.

She studied graphic arts at university and took a course at the Parsons New School for Design in New York, which opened her eyes to the concept of incorporating the world around her into her jewelry designs.


The diamond ring that won Öner recognition in the Couture Design Awards in 2013, the first year she exhibited at the show
Öner made her U.S. trade show debut in 2013 at Couture, exhibiting in the Next Wave ballroom for emerging designers. She was named second runner-up in the Bridal category of the Couture Design Awards that same year. 

She returned to Couture again in 2014 and was one of the designers who created pieces for the Csarite Designer Collection launched in 2014. (Csarite is the brand name given to the color-change diaspore mined in Turkey’s Anatolian mountains.)

Öner also was the subject of a September 2014 Gold Spotlight on NationalJeweler.com, showcasing her then-new Hagia Sophia collection, a line inspired by the mosque-turned-monument of the same name.

The younger designer’s “fresh, yet iconic, handcrafted jewelry designs reflected the cultural influences of her beloved Turkey,” Pat Syvrud, who helped launched Pinar Öner Design Atelier in the United States, said in a statement. “The luxury jewelry world has lost a true gem indeed.”
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Stock image of crime scene tape and police cars
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.

Verdura cuffs
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has Everything

Bespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.

JIS Fall 2026 jewelry
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance

The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.

DeBeersICONS_TITLE1_CUSTOMCONTENT_1872x1052 (1).jpg
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural Diamonds

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

John Hardy Billie Eilish & Finneas Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John Hardy

The Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.

Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Graphic for episode 10 of the My Next Question podcast
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.

Underground shaft at the Venetia diamond mine
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year Shutdown

The De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.

lab channel btyb 0926.png
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.

Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.

Off-White Jewelry Collection Imagery
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-White

The collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.

Gemfields rubies
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52M

The miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.

Stock image of police cars with lights on
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas Mall

The guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.

Kylie Jenner Fantasy Bra Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The Numbers

Jacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.

Mignon Faget Atelier Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AI

The “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.

 Rio Grande engagement ring and band
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform Zola

The pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.

The Secret Gems Thailand
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.

John Hardy Modern Talisman Collection Campaign Imagery
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.

Collage of independent jewelers celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2026
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026

Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?

Hand holding shopping bags
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.

Christina Puchi Gemstone Earrings
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the Universe

Our Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.

Reeds Jewelers Fayetteville
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates Flagship

The New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.

Graff USA Executive Vice President Katy Chen
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.

Elise & Amy Greenberg
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg

For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.

The Retail Smiths Principal Partner Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?

It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.

Stephanie Gottlieb Movado watches
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist Stack

Movado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.

Polished diamond in tweezers
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report Says

The two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.

Wolf x Marla Aaron Some of the Things Box
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your Things

The “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.

Coleman Clark and Mitchell Clark
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell Clark

Fourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.

×

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