CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsMar 22, 2018
Inside Communion by Joy’s Spiritual Space
Fine jewelry brand Communion by Joy’s Culver City showroom provides much more than a shopping experience.
Designer Joy Smith in the Communion by Joy showroom and special events space
Culver City, Calif.--About a decade since it started, fine jewelry brand Communion by Joy has opened its first physical retail destination where clients can interact with the jewels and designer Joy Smith in person, but the experience goes far beyond shopping.
Located in Culver City, California, an area of Los Angeles adjacent to Venice Beach, Communion by Joy opened last September as a by-appointment showroom and a special events space.
Smith had been visualizing this type of hybrid retail/event location for a couple of years, but as soon as she found the Culver City space, things quickly fell into place.
Like the jewelry Smith creates, the location’s focus is spiritual. Smith is using it to host yoga classes, energy and healing ceremonies, and visits from special guests like her shaman.
For a brand whose name signifies bringing people together, it’s a full-circle moment.
“I don’t reach out to anyone, or if I do, it’s very organic,” Smith explained. “I just let things happen. It’s (focused) a lot on empowerment. I feel like it’s what the space wants. I feel like I’m the caretaker of this space.”
Smith has taken a similarly intuitive approach to much of her design career.
After leaving a career in corporate entertainment, Smith, who had long been a painter and sculptor, began carving wax jewelry models by hand, as she still does today.
Initially, she tried to create pieces that felt mainstream, like what other people were selling at the time, but customers weren’t connecting with them.
“I was like, why don’t I do what I really want creatively,” said Smith. “Not a lot of my pieces are very conventional, especially in the beginning, eight or 10 years ago. I started really being myself and creating the way I wanted to; even though I thought it was really weird, it was more myself. When I started doing that, I started getting more people interested in what I was doing, people who saw things that resonated with them.
“Then I started delving in spiritually with what I want to express. I want people to get the idea of what bliss feels like or what heaven feels like, if that felt like something (tangible). I wanted to see what the presence of the divine looked like within my pieces. Now I totally take myself out of my work. I don’t judge it. I’m going
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
to become completely open. If this is what spirit wants to create through me, then I let it happen. When I look at my pieces, I don’t feel like I made them even though my hands physically created them. It’s kind of strange.”
The result is Smith’s range of 14-karat recycled gold pieces abundant with motifs like doves, the Virgin Mary, and rays of light, accented with diamonds and colored gemstones.
As Culver City continues to develop and foot traffic increases, Smith is open to the idea of making her store open as a full-time retail location. As always, she is going with the flow.
“I’ve really trained myself to trust, because I believe I’m supposed to have this space for a reason, not only for my jewelry but spiritually to have the events that I have,” she said. “And if the highest spirit wants this for me then of course it’s going to work out.”
The result is Smith’s range of 14-karat recycled gold pieces abundant with motifs like doves, the Virgin Mary, and rays of light, accented with diamonds and colored gemstones.
As Culver City continues to develop and foot traffic increases, Smith is open to the idea of making her store open as a full-time retail location. As always, she is going with the flow.
“I’ve really trained myself to trust, because I believe I’m supposed to have this space for a reason, not only for my jewelry but spiritually to have the events that I have,” she said. “And if the highest spirit wants this for me then of course it’s going to work out.”
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
Weekly QuizFeb 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
SurveysFeb 10, 2026
Shoppers to Spend Big on Jewelry This Valentine’s Day, Says NRFJewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.
FinancialsFeb 10, 2026
Kering Plans Transformation as 2025 Sales Sink 13%As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
AGTA To Debut ‘Stuller Color of the Year’ Spectrum Awards CategoryThe new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”
Policies & IssuesFeb 09, 2026
U.S., India Trade Deal One Step Closer to Being FinalizedThe White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.
Events & AwardsFeb 09, 2026
JA Now Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsEntries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.
TrendsFeb 09, 2026
These 14 Jewels Will Melt Your Heart This Valentine’s DayFrom heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.
CrimeFeb 06, 2026
Florida Man Sentenced After Selling Fake Native American Jewelry for a Decade Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.
FinancialsFeb 06, 2026
Pandora’s North America GM Departs Amid Executive ChangesNew CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.
TrendsFeb 06, 2026
Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi Wear Matching Cece Jewellery Signet RingsOur Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.
MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
