PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
TrendsAug 01, 2017
Semi-Mounts & Tiaras: Wendy Brandes’ Bridal Collection
The jewelry designer, a recent WJA Awards for Excellence winner, has gone on all in on wedding jewelry.
This one-of-a-kind tiara was the debut piece of Wendy Brandes’ bridal collection. It features a South Sea pearl, 76 diamonds weighing a total of 0.5 carats, four rubies totaling 0.09 carats, 18-karat rose gold wire and 18-karat yellow gold.
New York--Jewelry designer Wendy Brandes is going all in on bridal, officially launching a collection of one-of-a-kind, bespoke and limited-edition semi-mount wedding jewelry.
Though Brandes always has worked closely with clients to create custom wedding pieces, the brand now will have several one-of-a-kind pieces in stock, rather than doing them all on a made-to-order basis.
Wendy Brandes Wedding is priced at $10,000 and up at retail.
It’s offered in three tiers, all of which are available to retailers:
1. One hundred percent custom;
2. One-of-a-kind pieces that are in stock; and
3. Limited-edition semi-mount options, for which production will never exceed more than five of each design created.
Brandes is known for paying as much attention to function as she does to form, considering details from all sides, and the aesthetic very much carries over to her new bridal collection, which officially debuted in July with a one-of-a kind snake tiara.
The Victorian-inspired piece features two twisting snakes that meet in the center to create a heart shape, in which is nestled a baroque South Sea pearl.
The snakes’ eyes are rubies, a nod to the fact that the bride who wore it on loan from the brand got married in July, along with 76 diamonds totaling 0.5 carats to complement the satin-polished and blackened gold.
This ballerina-style ring is available as a limited-edition semi-mount. The ring is made in platinum and also features 18-karat rose gold or 18-karat yellow gold hidden text, 199 round diamonds and diamond baguettes on side. The ring pictured here has a diamond center stone, though that can be selected according to the bride ($18,500, without center stone).
The limited-edition heart-shaped “Gravity” ring is customizable. Though seen here in platinum, it can be made in the customer’s choice of 18-karat rose, yellow or white gold.
This ring is available as a limited-edition semi-mount and can be stacked with others. It’s made in 18-karat gold, though also available in 18-karat rose and white gold or platinum, and features diamonds and rubies, with the choice of alternate stones.
This one-of-a-kind ring from Brandes has already sold, but is used to show retailers and customers her aesthetic. It features a 2.5-carat heirloom diamond in 18-karat rose gold.
Wendy Brandes Wedding is for “sophisticated, unconventional brides and grooms who want exquisitely made, wearable jewelry that reflects their unique personalities,” the brand said about the new collection.
“A lot of customers who find me by referral tell me they never planned to wear an engagement ring or wedding band--until they found out that practically anything is possible,” she said. “I’ve made a 2.5-carat antique diamond look low-key; I’ve made a 64-point diamond look like 3.5 carats. That said, the beauty and value of my work is not only about the size of the center stone. My customers care about design and differentiation, which is something that happens in the metalwork.”
In addition to bridal jewelry for women, Brandes also creates wedding designs for men, including engagement rings, wedding bands, cufflinks and shirt studs, and unisex jewelry to be worn by anyone.
Brandes has received a number of awards for her work, most recently receiving Award for Excellence in Design from the Women’s Jewelry Association in New York.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Trends
The Latest
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Medal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
