MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2019
How Kismet by Milka Brought an Experience to Couture
The brand also celebrated 10 years of one of their most popular collections and introduced plenty of newness.
Piercing parties aren’t just for consumers. Kismet by Milka brought one to the trade at the recently concluded Couture show in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas—At Couture this year, Istanbul, Turkey-based brand Kismet by Milka decided to amplify the typical trade show booth interaction and create an experience.
Transforming shopping into an experience is a major trend in retail, but seen far less in the business-to-business space.
That didn’t stop Kismet by Milka designer and founder Milka Karaağaçlı from thinking outside the box.
In addition to the brand’s regular booth in the Wynn’s Latour ballroom, Karaağaçlı rented one of the hotel’s luxurious villa suites for a piercing party.
The two-day event saw more than 100 retailers, buyers, writers, and even other jewelry designers and their teams get pierced with a line of delicate 14-karat gold and diamond piercing jewelry Karaağaçlı created, including several styles from a new baguette diamond collection as well as updated versions of existing Kismet by Milka earrings.
The villa suite was transformed into a luxurious piercing salon, with industry folk milling about as they chose their piercing jewelry (offered at special industry pricing) and waited for their turn with celebrity piercer Brian Keith Thompson of Los Angeles’ Body Electric Tattoo.
This pendant was created in honor of the Kismet by Milka “Evil Eye” collection’s 10-year anniversary.
The collection features lots of statement pieces, like bold cocktail rings.
It also features Kismet by Milka’s signature dainty, layering pieces, like this earring that goes in two piercings.
A chic evil-eye take on a hoop earring
An evil eye signet ring
Walking the show, freshly-pierced Couture exhibitors and attendees were Kismet by Milka’s best advertisement, eager to show off their new jewels.
The experience helped draw attention to what Kismet by Milka had to offer this year, including the 10th anniversary of the brand’s best-selling evil eye collection, its take on the talisman so integral to Turkish and Mediterranean culture.
Expanding upon the motif, Karaağaçlı had an array of tiny evil eye studs perfect for (what else?) multiple piercings, as well as more elaborate cocktail rings and pendants.
Kismet by Milka also offered a totally new range, “Innerland,” inspired by travels through sub-Saharan Africa.
Karaağaçlı created pendants, bracelets, earrings, and rings depicting African masks and abstracted wildlife like lions, snakes, and birds. The collection had a distinctly tribal feel that fit in with the brand’s wide oeuvre through the incorporation of black and champagne diamonds.
Ear cuffs started as low as $250, with the vast majority of “Innerland” retailing for less than $5,000.
The new “Innerland” collection is inspired by the idea of a victorious female warrior returning home to Africa. It incorporates animal motifs like a lion.
This warrior-inspired motif is one of the collection’s more wearable pieces.
A mask pendant
Birds of prey feature heavily in the collection, like in this impressive earring.
Another abstracted motif, featured in earrings (as pictured), as well as chokers, bracelets and rings.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
