CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.
IndependentsApr 13, 2020
Jewelry Designer Leila Tai Dies at 77
She passed away earlier this month after a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Jewelry designer Leila Tai, who grew up in Beirut and moved to New York in the early ‘70s, died earlier this month after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
New York—Leila Tai, an award-winning jewelry designer known for her kind and gentle demeanor, died April 2 after a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s disease.
She was 77.
Born Dec. 16, 1942, Tai was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon during the country’s “Golden Age.”
Growing up, she developed a passion for jewelry as an art form. She studied art at the American University of Beirut.
After graduation, Tai went on to earn her master’s in art, with a specialty in metal work and jewelry, from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
She made and sold her jewelry collections in Beirut for several years before returning to the United States, to New York, to begin what would turn out to be a long, fruitful career as a jewelry designer.
Tai designed fine jewelry for Van Cleef & Arpels and with French designer Jean Vitau, who died in 2011.
She also created fashion jewelry for Trifari, Monet and Liz Claiborne.
In 2009, after producing several collections of her own, she won the grand prize in the American Jewelry Design Council’s New Talent contest.
All throughout her career, Tai never stopped learning or teaching.
Tai studied ancient metalworking techniques at the Kulicke-Stark Academy (later the Jewelry Arts Institute).
She learned the technique of rendering using inks from jewelry design innovator Donald Claflin, who designed for David Webb, Van Cleef, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari before his untimely death in 1979.
She taught rendering and design at the Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute and Fashion Institute of Technology.
Tai enjoyed traveling, visiting museums and enjoying all New York City has to offer—shopping, fine dining, arts and culture—with her friends.
Longtime friend Pam Levine said her greatest pleasure, however, was the pride she took in in teaching jewelry-making and crafting her fine plique-à-jour enamel, silver and gold creations at her bench.
Tai is survived by her husband, Peter Shenkin of New York and one brother, Samir Chahrouri of Beirut, as well as by many professional colleagues, students, friends and other family members.
Condolences may be sent to her husband via email at shenkin@gmail.com, shared on Facebook, or mailed to 7734 Austin St., Apt. 6B , Forest Hills, NY 11375.
Donations in Tai’s memory may be made to Hand in Hand, an organization that operates schools that coeducate Arab and Jewish children in Israel.
Those interested in viewing her work can visit LeilaTaiDesign.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
ColumnistsMar 11, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Pose on the Red CarpetAhead of the Gem Awards on Friday, Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share pro tips for taking the best photos.
CollectionsMar 11, 2025
Marco Bicego Celebrates 25 Years With Collection, CampaignFounded in 2000, Marco Bicego is commemorating its milestone anniversary with a “25 Best” collection and campaigns honoring its heritage.
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the FutureSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
TechnologyMar 11, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches New B2B Buyer DatabaseThose attending the company’s upcoming Zoom workshop will receive early access to “The List,” its new resource for finding buyers.
Weekly QuizMar 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 11, 2025
JSA to Honor GIA Employee at Annual LuncheonThe organization will present an award to Amy-Elise Signeavsky, law enforcement and diamond recovery manager at GIA.
MajorsMar 10, 2025
Terry Chandler to Retire After 24 Years as Head of DCA Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
CollectionsMar 10, 2025
MaeVona Co-Founder Debuts 3D-Printed ‘Tùsaire’ CollectionScottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersAhead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award The 2025 Gem Awards are set to take place Friday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Jane Fonda, Mariska Hargitay Star in Pomellato’s IWD CampaignThe annual star-studded campaign for International Women’s Day encourages collective action against domestic violence.
CollectionsMar 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yeprem’s ‘Golden Strada’ NecklaceThe statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Borsheims Names New Senior Security and Facilities ManagerLongtime employee Kyle Slosson has been promoted to the role.
CollectionsMar 06, 2025
Guzema, 3.1 Phillip Lim Collab on New ‘Snake’ DesignsThe limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.
Events & AwardsMar 06, 2025
Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It’ Award Goes to JewelerSenior Jeweler Jay Wolff was named employee of the year.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Store to Close, Confirms Saks GlobalThe 111-year-old store will close following a dispute among Saks Global, a landlord, and the City of Dallas over a small piece of land.
AuctionsMar 05, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 51 ‘Alien’ WatchesThe upcoming “Area_51” watch sale is a collaboration with heist-out, featuring vintage and modern timepieces with futuristic designs.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Jewelers of America Unveils 3-Year Strategic Plan The trade organization, which will mark 120 years of service next year, has a refined focus and a new mission statement.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2025
92NY Accepting 2025 Jewelry Artist Residency ApplicationsThe application period is now open for established and emerging jewelers and metalsmiths to apply to the month-long residency program.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
4 Suspects Arrested in Fatal Armed Robbery of California Jewelry Store Uc Thí Vo, who co-owned Kim Tin Jewelry in Sacramento with her husband of 40 years, was killed during the November 2024 robbery.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
NYC Diamond Dealer Pleads Guilty to Lab-Grown Diamond SwapsManashe Sezanayev pleaded guilty to grand larceny and is expected to receive five years’ probation when he’s sentenced in May.
TrendsMar 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Peaceful and Powerful AquamarineThe March birthstone pairs perfectly with hues of Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025.
ColumnistsMar 04, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Online Events to Supercharge Sales Emmanuel Raheb shares strategies to prepare for, publicize, and engage the audience during events on platforms like TikTok and Zoom.
EditorsMar 03, 2025
Drop Necklaces, Archival Pieces Take Over at the 2025 OscarsFrom Doja Cat to Mikey Madison and Selena Gomez, many of this year’s Academy Awards attendees donned drop necklaces.
Policies & IssuesMar 03, 2025
Customs Indefinitely Postpones Requirement to Disclose Country of MiningOriginally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”
SurveysMar 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Fell in February Amid Concerns About the FutureThe recent jump in the prices of household staples, like eggs, and the potential impact of tariffs worried consumers.
