CollectionsFeb 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jade Ruzzo’s ‘Tennessee’ Oval Drop EarringsHeidi Gardner, an SNL cast member, wore the smoky quartz earrings on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” red carpet on Sunday.
EditorsJan 21, 2021
Everything You Need to Know About Jewelry at the Inauguration
The vice president’s pearls, J. Lo’s ode to France, and more.
Vice President Kamala Harris wore this W.Rosado Australian South Sea pearl, 18-karat gold and diamond necklace to her inauguration.
On Wednesday, a new man took office as the president of the United States, and for the first time, a woman entered the vice presidential office.
At a pared-down inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Kamala Devi Harris were sworn into their respective offices.
At a pared-down inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Kamala Devi Harris were sworn into their respective offices.
Harris’ election marked a number of firsts that you’ve now heard innumerable times but are so unprecedented, they bear repeating until the novelty has worn off: In addition to being the first female vice president, Harris is also the first black vice president and first South Asian vice president.
What politicians and their spouses wear on historic occasions is rife with symbolism; the bigger the occasion, the greater the symbolism, and there’s no bigger occasion than starting one’s tenure in the White House.
Harris was born to a Jamaican immigrant father and Indian immigrant mother, so she fittingly wore a jewel designed by another child of immigrants to mark her historic swearing in.
Embed from Getty Images
She donned a necklace from W.Rosado, the new line of pearl jewelry from Wilfredo Rosado.
Rosado was born in the U.S. to Puerto Rican parents.
He made his mark in the fashion industry prior to launching his eponymous high jewelry line in 2011.
This year, he branched out into a more attainable, but no less exciting, array of pearl jewelry under the moniker W.Rosado.
“It is truly an honor and a dream come true for me to be able to create jewelry for Kamala Harris and for such an important moment in history,” he said. “She embodies the diversity and spirit of this country and I am so proud of her progress.”
The necklace Rosado crafted for the inauguration features Australian South Sea pearls suspended in 18-karat yellow gold links, interspersed with diminutive diamonds.
Embed from Getty Images
Female political figures are known to sport a classic strand of pearls, and Harris has worn them plenty in the past, so much so that it spawned a Facebook group with half a million members vowing to wear pearls on Inauguration Day.
It also inspired a day of pearl-wearing among members of Harris’ sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest Black sorority in the U.S.
It also inspired a day of pearl-wearing among members of Harris’ sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, the oldest Black sorority in the U.S.
Wearing W.Rosado was an excellent way to honor the tradition while showcasing her unique flair.
On a day that’s entirely about symbolism, the necklace, with its uplifting and subverting-the-traditional attitude, made the perfect statement piece and political metaphor.
And the message wasn’t lost on the designer.
“With this collection we are defining a new language for pearls, bringing a perennial favorite into the future and shattering the norms of jewelry for both women and men,” Rosado added. “Pearls are an obsession for me and I’m always striving to find new ways of working with them.”
Harris complemented the W.Rosado necklace with pearl button earrings not from Rosado (there’s very little intel about them, meaning they’re likely from her personal jewelry collection and may hold personal significance in the vein of an heirloom), while the American flag pin she wore on her lapel was from David Yurman.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Also front and center at the ceremony were its entertainers—Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.
Lady Gaga can’t resist a major jewelry moment, and she rose to the occasion.
Her entire look was by Schiaparelli, including her enormous gold brooch, shaped as a dove holding an olive branch in its beak.
Embed from Getty Images
The overt symbolism, communicating a message of peace and reconciliation, was perfectly in line with the message of the day without sacrificing the songstress’ signature boldness; you could have spotted her gold bird from the other end of the National Mall.
And while the design house responsible may be Italian, the brand is currently helmed by American designer Daniel Roseberry, so Gaga narrowly skirted dismissing the “Wear American” tradition.
Her inaugural successor, Lopez, missed the symbolism mark, however.
The singer’s outfit itself got several things right.
Dressed in all white, symbolic for the color of suffragettes, Lopez sported layers of pearl bracelets as well as pearl earrings, clearly in line with political tradition.
Embed from Getty Images
But just as she incorporated a refrain from one of her own songs into a medley of songs in tribute to America, Lopez appeared to be focused foremost on her own look rather than promoting American designers, wearing head-to-toe Chanel.
Displaying a very recognizable French logo while singing American tunes at the American presidential and vice presidential inauguration? A definite faux pas, as they say in Paris.
The new First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, was attuned to the mood of the day.
Monique Péan repurposed white hexagonal step cut diamond earrings with white diamond pavé and recycled platinum
She had on the above earrings from American jewelry designer Monique Péan, who happens to be a woman of color and is devoted to crafting pieces that are environmentally and socially sustainable.
They were difficult to see, but overwhelmingly appropriate.
Embed from Getty Images
Now, for poet Amanda Gorman, who at a mere 22 years old is the youngest poet to ever perform at an inauguration, we can bend some of the “Made in America” decorum, and for good reason.
As journalist Gayle King, also well known as Oprah’s BFF, explained on the CBS broadcast, it was Oprah Winfrey who gave Gorman the hoop earrings and ring she wore.
Embed from Getty Images
Winfrey gave the late Maya Angelou the coat she wore to recite a poem at President Obama’s 2012 inauguration.
She contacted Gorman and offered to do the same for the Biden inauguration, but Gorman already had her coat picked out—it was bright yellow, her favorite color.
Winfrey came up with an alternative, and far superior, gift—the below pair of 18-karat gold Nikos Koulis hoop earrings with a dangling gold and diamond drop. She also gave Gorman a ring from costume jewelry brand Of Rare Origin.
Nikos Koulis 18-karat yellow gold earrings with baguette- and trillion-cut diamonds set in 18-karat white gold
The company’s signature “Aviary Classic Ring” features a caged bird in 18-karat gold vermeil. For Winfrey, it was an allusion to Angelou’s autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”
Of Rare Origin is an American company based in New York, and Nikos Koulis is … well, simply fabulous.
Because the earrings were a gift from an American icon we’ll say the nod to Greece was an appropriate deviation from protocol, and a treat for jewelry lovers.
After all, Greece is the birthplace of this tumultuous and beloved thing we call democracy.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingFeb 21, 2025
Zambia Lifts 15% Export Duty on Gemstones, Metals The reversal comes less than two months after the Zambian government reinstated the tax in an effort to bring in more money.
MajorsFeb 21, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Names New PresidentThe organization also announced its newly elected officers and directors.
Brought to you by
Get Ready for the JA New York Spring ShowThis year will feature a new MJSA Showcase and partnership with Piazza Italia.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Anglo Writes Down Value of De Beers by $2.9B As anticipated, Anglo took another impairment charge on the diamond miner and marketer, which saw revenue sink 23 percent in 2024.
Weekly QuizFeb 21, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Harry Winston’s Son Donates Fancy Red Diamond to the SmithsonianRonald Winston is giving the 2.33-carat “Winston Red” to the Smithsonian, 67 years after his father donated the Hope Diamond.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
GJEPC Names New Chairman, Vice ChairmanKirit Bhansali, a partner in Smital Gems and chairman of India Jewellery Park, will take on the role of chairman.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
IndependentsFeb 20, 2025
IJO Elects 4 New Board MembersAlisha Cornett, Nic Faini, Eric Stevens, and Seth Shipley have joined the organization’s board of directors for a three-year term.
CrimeFeb 19, 2025
Brink’s to Pay $42M After Admitting to Illegally Transporting MoneyThe company has to pay the Justice Department and FinCEN for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, the U.S.’s main anti-money laundering law.
SourcingFeb 19, 2025
Diamond Mining Company CEO Steps Down Amid Sales Slump, LayoffsPetra Diamonds Ltd. CEO Richard Duffy resigned as the diamond miner reported a 30 percent drop in sales to start its fiscal year.
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2025
The Smart Lab: Maximizing Your Jewelry Brand on PinterestPinterest is a potential gold mine for jewelry brands, Emmanuel Raheb writes, provided they follow these five tips.
MajorsFeb 19, 2025
Cartier Opens New Store Inside LAXThe boutique is the French luxury brand’s first airport store on the West Coast.
CollectionsFeb 19, 2025
Swarovski’s NYC Flagship Celebrates Ariana Grande CollabThe store’s facade now features the iconic swan logo and campaign images of the “Wicked” star.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2025
New Customs Requirements for Diamond Imports: What We KnowBeginning in April, companies importing diamonds into the United States will have to list the country in which the diamonds were mined.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2025
A Menagerie of Fabergé Coming to Sotheby’sAround 30 whimsical Fabergé animal carvings will go up for auction at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
SourcingFeb 18, 2025
Celine Assimon Stepping Down as CEO of De Beers JewellersAssimon will be leaving at the end of February after nearly five years with De Beers.
CollectionsFeb 18, 2025
Tabayer Debuts Its First Men’s Jewelry SelectionsDesigns from the brand’s “Oera” collection have been reimagined with modern masculinity in mind.
SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana SapphiresThe wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Carolyn Rafaelian Partners with ‘Long Island Medium’ StarThe “Divinely Guided” collection, created in collaboration with Theresa Caputo, features symbols that celebrate the power of connection.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lorraine West’s Diamond ‘Open Heart’ RingShow some love on Valentine’s Day with this 14-karat yellow gold ring that features pavé diamonds.
CrimeFeb 13, 2025
Macy’s Employee Foils $1.5M Jewelry Theft The employee confronted the thief, causing the suspect to flee and leave behind the suitcases full of jewelry.
SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist Namib Desert Diamonds also put its security manager on leave following last month’s robbery that left one employee dead.
Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2025
AGTA Announces Buyer’s Choice Award Winners for Spectrum, Cutting EdgeAGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair event in Tucson and is already gearing up for next year’s show, set for Feb. 2-6, 2026.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2025
Royal Chain Releases Its Spring 2025 CatalogMore than 400 new pieces are featured in the supplier’s latest catalog.
TrendsFeb 13, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Hearts for Valentine’s DayThis curation celebrates love with heart-shaped jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
Policies & IssuesFeb 13, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires The fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
