Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.
JA New York’s New Designer Gallery At a Glance
Ten emerging brands will be featured at the show later this month.

The upcoming JA New York Summer show will feature 10 emerging brands that are either exhibiting for the first time or are still new to the jewelry trade show circuit as part of the show’s New Designer Gallery.
Each brand will be eligible to win the Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year Award, which is voted on by show-goers and bestowed upon the brand that is most popular with the crowd.
While JA New York’s New Designer Gallery was featured in the JA New York spring show for the first time earlier this year (in the past, the gallery only took place at the summer show), the Mort Abelson award is still relegated to the summer edition only.
Last year, Alexis Kletjian took home the coveted honor, which has been bestowed upon a who’s who of contemporary design talent over the years.
Let’s meet this year’s contenders.

Justin Brown Jewelry
Designer: Justin A. Brown
Location: Rockland, Massachusetts
Launched: 2015
Instagram: @justinbrownjewelry
Beloved NYC
Designer: Masha Shapiro
Location: New York City
Launched: 2017 at the JA New York summer show
Retail Price Range: $960-$8,000
Instagram: @belovednyc

Sam Woehrmann
Designer: Sam Woehrmann
Location: San Francisco
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: Anywhere from $80 for small silver studs to $6,000 for large, one-of-a-kind pieces; generally in the $400 to $1,000 range
Instagram: @SamWoehrmann
East Fourth Street
Designer: Susan Crow
Location: Northfield, Minnesota
Launched: 2010
Retail Price Range: $110-$4,800
Instagram: @east_fourth_street

JeweLyrie
Designer: Huan Wang
Location: Paterson, New Jersey
Launched: 2016
Retail Price Range: $500 for small pendant and studs to $4,000 for wide cigar bands and statement earrings; average price range is $1,000 to $3,000
Instagram: @jewelyrie
Diane Dorsey Designs
Designer: Diane Dorsey
Location: Los Olivos, California
Launched: 2015
Retail Price Range: $140-$8,500
Instagram: @dianedorseydesigns
Onirikka
Designer: Gloria Rank
Location: El Salvador and New York City
Launch: 2013
Retail Price Range: $475 to $15,000
Instagram: @onirikkajewelry
Moratorium
Designer: Jeanette Lai Thomas
Location: New York City
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: $1,400 to $14,500 and up
Instagram: @moratorium.nyc
Loriann Jewelry
Designer: Lori Friedman
Location: Westport, Connecticut
Launched: 2016
Retail Price Range: $800-$5,000
Instagram: @loriannjewelry
Erin DeLuca Jewelry
Designer: Erin DeLuca
Location: Redding, Connecticut
Launched: 2011
Retail Price Range: $70-$6,000
Instagram: @erindelucajewelry
The Latest

Scottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.

Ahead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The 2025 Gem Awards are set to take place Friday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.


The annual star-studded campaign for International Women’s Day encourages collective action against domestic violence.

The statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere , and Jewelers of America has what you need to be prepared for it all.

Longtime employee Kyle Slosson has been promoted to the role.

First-generation jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring and will close their Minneapolis-area jewelry store in May.

The limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.

After more than 50 years, Jeff Roberts is handing over ownership of the organization to IJO President Stephen Barnes.

Senior Jeweler Jay Wolff was named employee of the year.

The 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.

The upcoming “Area_51” watch sale is a collaboration with heist-out, featuring vintage and modern timepieces with futuristic designs.

The trade organization, which will mark 120 years of service next year, has a refined focus and a new mission statement.

The application period is now open for established and emerging jewelers and metalsmiths to apply to the month-long residency program.

Uc Thí Vo, who co-owned Kim Tin Jewelry in Sacramento with her husband of 40 years, was killed during the November 2024 robbery.

Manashe Sezanayev pleaded guilty to grand larceny and is expected to receive five years’ probation when he’s sentenced in May.

The March birthstone pairs perfectly with hues of Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025.

Emmanuel Raheb shares strategies to prepare for, publicize, and engage the audience during events on platforms like TikTok and Zoom.

Originally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”

The recent jump in the prices of household staples, like eggs, and the potential impact of tariffs worried consumers.

The application period for the program is now open for aspiring gemologists around the world.

The work of Indigenous designer Joe Big Mountain, these earrings are similar to the pair Lily Gladstone just wore to the SAG Awards.

A metal detectorist uncovered the ring created in memory of Sir Richard Rainsford, who presided over some of England’s last witch trials.

Fine jewelry consultant and publicist Francesca Simons joins Amanda Gizzi and Natalie Francisco to discuss the trends set to rise this year.