From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Quality Gold Buys Star Ring, Romance Ring
The jewelry manufacturer will begin shipping Star Ring and Romance Ring merchandise out of its Ohio headquarters in mid-June.

Fairfield, Ohio--Quality Gold has acquired California-based Star Ring Inc. and will begin invoicing and shipping Star’s merchandise out of its Ohio headquarters in mid-June.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Based in Chatsworth, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, Star Ring makes bridal and special occasion gemstone jewelry for men and women. Romance Ring, which specializes in bridal sets, trios, semi-mounts and diamond wedding bands, is a division of Star. It also will now be owned by Quality Gold.
Quality Gold said Star Ring’s top executives--brothers Ken and Richard Harrison, and Mitchell Reiffen--will join Quality Gold in sales and product development, though they will not have to relocate to Ohio.
The Harrisons and Reiffen will work with the transition team that leads the company in the expansion and introduction of designs for both Star and Romance Ring in the coming year.
In addition, some of Star Ring’s existing staff also will be joining Quality Gold, though the exact number of Star employees Quality will bring on board is unknown at this time. They will work in customer care, account management and program fulfillment.
All Star and Romance Ring merchandise will begin invoicing and shipping from Quality Gold’s headquarters in Fairfield, Ohio after June 12.
The company will operate Star Ring and Romance Ring as their own brands.
Quality Gold COO Jason Langhammer called the acquisition an important one for the company, as it helps it accelerate its growth in the bridal and engagement sector.
Star Ring Inc. President Ken Harrison said the acquisition will give his company resources to expand its product categories as well as improve delivery, service and special order capabilities.
“Michael (Langhammer, Quality Gold CEO) and Jason are hands-on and passionate about the jewelry industry. We are looking forward to working with Quality Gold to grow the Star/Romance brands,” he said.
This is the second acquisition in recent weeks by Quality Gold.
On May 1, the company announced it was buying Luxury Giftware by Jere LLC, a company with headquarters in suburban Atlanta that makes jewelry and trinket boxes and Damascus steel blade knives.
Luxury Giftware by Jere began operations out of Quality Gold’s headquarters in Ohio, with founder Jere Wright staying on board in a sales and product development role.
Star Ring Inc. and Luxury Giftware by Jere both will be exhibiting in the Quality Gold booth at JCK Las Vegas, PC-600 in the Plumb Club.
The Latest

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.


The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

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

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.






















