The report shows that couples are searching for vintage and antique rings, gold jewelry, pearls, and colorful pieces.
The Whimsical Jewelry of Aurélie Guillaume
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator recounts a recent visit to a gallery in New York where she discovered the enamel creations of a contemporary jewelry designer.
Living in New York is not always the easiest: the sheer amount of people, the crowded subways, the sky-high rents.
But what (mostly) makes up for all that for me is the amazing opportunities you have while you’re living here. You not only have all of these big, famous museums and plays that people come from around the world to see, but layers and layers of places and events beyond that, leaving so many new things to be discovered.
Last week, such an opportunity popped up when I paid a visit to the Gallery at Reinstein/Ross in the city’s Meatpacking district.
My contact with the gallery (which is attached to Reinstein/Ross’s store) started early this year when Gallery Director Bella Neyman reached out via email to tell me she liked my story about art jewelry.
She also invited to me to visit their space. Though it took a while to get there with all deadlines and travel that took over January and February, I finally paid her a visit, and I’m so glad I did.
Right now, the gallery, which is the only space in the city dedicated solely to contemporary jewelry, is featuring the work of French-Canadian artist Aurélie Guillaume, who creates enamel personages inspired by her own personal stories, experiences and emotions as well as French cartoons, graffiti and street art.
“Mauricette, The Giants, And Other Frivolous Tales: The Jewelry of Mlle. Guillaume” is the first U.S. solo exhibition for the jeweler.
Though enamel has been used in jewelry for ages, Guillaume is applying it in a contemporary way, mixing it with pop art, comics and counterculture to create her whimsical characters, which I immediately fell in love with.
All of her pieces begin with an illustration central to her work and through the use of enamel paired with the whimsical nature of these characters, “confronts the high art form of jewelry with lowbrow humor,” her bio states.
Just as each character has a larger-than-life personality, so too does the jewelry, which is mostly large and elaborate brooches. Applying the cloisonné enamel technique, she uses small, precious metal filaments together with the enamels, bending the metal wires into shapes to create her artwork and
Due to their size, colors and detailing, it appears to me that her pieces not only can be worn as jewelry but also could be used as art/sculptures should the buyer choose to do so.
The characters are fun, playful and very fresh, and the gallery itself is a wonderful place where fine jewelry and art jewelry live side-by-side in a time when both are trying to find ways to appeal to a new consumer.
If you’re in New York right now, try to make it over to the Gallery at Reinstein/Ross before Guillaume’s exhibition closes March 12. You won’t be disappointed.
If you can’t make it there, it’s worth checking out Guillaume’s Artsy page to see more of her work.
The Latest
He’s remembered as a “font of passion,” leaving behind a legacy of dedication to his craft and community.
The first one will take place next month during the Jewelers of Louisiana’s and Mississippi Jewelers Association’s conventions.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The redesigned boutique features interactive displays and a workshop space for hands-on learning about watchmaking.
There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.
A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.
Ho Brothers offers scalable solutions for the future of custom jewelry.
The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.
By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
The company plans to invest $25 million in marketing initiatives to boost awareness around its namesake and licensed brands.
Optimism about the current state of the economy was offset by anxiety around inflation and the political environment.
The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.
DDG encourages retailers to educate customers on the positive impact of purchasing natural diamonds.
Highlighting the most iconic Tiffany collections, it’s inspired by the company’s late window designer, Gene Moore.
Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen explore how jewelers can save time and money by using AI to analyze engagement and create content.
The retailer previously turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018.
The Florida store’s owner Miguel Gonzalez is retiring.
The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”
The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.
One is reserved for a NAJA member, the other for a non-member.
Longtime employees Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice have received promotions.
Three guests joined National Jeweler and Jewelers of America to discuss trending time periods, spotting reproductions, and more.
Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere join the company with 50 years of combined experience.
The trendy, metallic earrings wink at classic spring colors.
JSA said a man and woman pulled the safe out of an Oakland jewelry store but couldn’t quite get it into their van.
The miner’s March auction generated $19 million.