The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
12 Jewelry Designers Not to Miss at Couture
Vegas is going to be a whirlwind, but Associate Editor Ashley Davis won’t leave Sin City without checking out this set of new and established jewelry designers.
I’ve covered fine jewelry for a few years, but this year marks my first trip to Las Vegas for the massive jewelry market week. I recently joined the team at National Jeweler to cover style, trends and designers, and Couture just happens to be housing a slew of my favorites.
There are twelve brands in particular that I’m dying to see. I’ll start with an obvious choice that’s just too good not to mention right from the get-go.
Tomasz Donocik was one of last year’s big winners at the Couture Design Awards, and he’s won two awards prior during his first Couture showing in 2013. Vegas has been good to Tomasz but only because he’s been so good to Vegas, delivering gems like this rose gold and emerald stunner.
If diamond halo engagement rings are the popular sellers of the moment, this asymmetrical, emerald-loaded halo would be my dream version. It’s from Tomasz’s forthcoming “Stellar” collection, which I can’t wait to see in person.
I became aware of Completedworks a couple of years ago with the debut of their “Pillar” collection. I appreciate designer Anna Jewsbury’s conceptual approach to design. Her gold and pearl “Tank” pieces blew me away.
The new collection, “Fluid,” marks the steady progression of Completedworks’ designs from literal to abstract. “Fluid” is the brand’s most wearable collection yet, but no less striking for its accessibility.
It’s difficult to contain the hyperbolic types of praise I want to heap upon Lydia Courteille. Her imagination, creativity and skill are beyond description.
The below octopus earrings feature the most stunning shades of enamel for a delicious ombré effect that culminates in dangling pink sapphires. They’re the perfect addition to her trove of sea creatures.
In my opinion, it’s Lydia’s world, and we’re just living in it.
On to another established designer:
Her eye and understanding of stones’ aesthetic relationships to one another is a rare gift. Some designers hide behind stones but Irene’s fingerprint is visible from a mile away.
Almost everything she creates is one-of-a-kind, like this boulder opal work-of-art.
Silvia Furmanovich is a total trailblazer; she’s constantly breaking down design barriers. I’m a huge fan of her resin pieces that encapsulate orchid petals.
The below Muiparinga red wood earrings employ classic marquetry artisan-work to achieve their feather-like pattern.
Silvia’s pieces emit a visceral connection to nature that is simultaneously modern and elegant.
Moving on to a young designer who has managed to make a big splash in relatively few years, I’m excited to see Noor Fares' latest offerings.
It looks like she’ll be showing a brand-new motif in Vegas, very geometric like many of her past designs, but with a new level of intricacy and sophistication.
I love the channel-set stones on the side of these exquisite hoop earrings.
When I think of Deborah Pagani, I think glamour, and these descending pill earrings are exactly that.
I’m convinced that blue sapphires should always be paired with white diamonds. The combination is classic but Deborah’s Deco-inspired designs still manage to convey a contemporary edge.
Speaking of contemporary, Fernando Jorge has some of the most exquisite ear candy this year. His new collection is full of climbers, ear jackets and studs perfect for sporting in multiple piercings.
I love this combination of rubies, rubellites and tourmalines in particular.
I’ve been a huge fan of Fernando for years, but discovering new designers is like an addiction to me.
I found Mania Zamani not long ago while trapped in an Instagram black hole (when one post leads to another to another to another).
I’m enamored with her graphic, geometric shapes. Fresh on my radar, I can’t wait to meet Mania and learn everything about her. She’s someone to keep an eye on.
Stunning jewels like Yeprem’s below hand-piece blur the line between jewelry and magic. I love their combinations of fancy-cut diamonds and gemstones.
Yeprem’s hand-pieces convey the ultimate red-carpet drama; why else would Madonna always be wearing them?
The above piece speaks to me in particular because of the fabulous pear-shaped emeralds. Nothing quite compares to an emerald’s glow and it’s fantastic to see them Yeprem-fied.
A newbie I can’t wait to meet is Reem of R.Y.M. Jewelry.
She’s another designer who intuitively understands color. She has a fabulous collection of Art-Deco-esque pieces (I predict that updated Art Deco is going to be a trend at Couture; you heard it here first!), but most interestingly, she designs convertible pieces.
The above “tag” can be worn multiple ways, attached to an R.Y.M. bracelet, pendant, earring or ring. Innovative without sacrificing attention to design, I think R.Y.M. is going to be a big hit at Couture.
But of course, not only the up-and-comers can innovate. The inimitable Stephen Webster makes convertible jewelry as well. This breath-taking collar can be worn with a tail of diamond feathers or with a stunning, single solitaire.
I find the “Magnipheasant Feathers Convertible Collar” to be even more otherworldly in white diamonds than in the rainbow edition I’ve seen before, and this coming from a girl who typically loves color.
Stephen Webster is the epitome of why the jewelry industry is such a special one; designers support their own and Stephen does a wonderful job of curating the group of Rock Vault jewelers. Several of my favorite designers, including some on this list, were supported through the initiative. Stephen will likely be my very first stop on Thursday.
By the time I’m back from Vegas, I expect to be utterly exhausted, have a whole new group of discoveries to obsess over and a deeper appreciation for the talents I came to see.
The Latest
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.