CollectionsSep 10, 2021
Piece of the Week: Amrapali’s Lotus Diamond RingCollectionsSep 17, 2021
Piece of the Week: Maggi Simpkins’ Powerful Pink Diamond
It’s part of Sotheby’s “Black & Brilliant” sale, opening today.
Maggi Simpkins “In Bloom” ring for Sotheby’s Brilliant & Black sale (Image courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Hold on to your hearts.
Today in New York City, Sotheby’s opens its selling exhibition, “Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance.”
Curated in partnership with jewelry editor and author Melanie C. Grant, the sale showcases about 60 pieces from 20 talented Black designers from midcentury to today.
Included is Los Angeles-based contemporary multidisciplinary artist and jeweler Maggi Simpkins, whose specialty is bespoke, one-of-a-kind jewels like engagement rings, with an emphasis on crafting “narrative-driven” designs informed by her clients’ life experiences.
For “Brilliant & Black,” Simpkins turned inward to reflect on her own story.
Per her artist’s statement for Sotheby’s, what she uncovered was, “permission to realize my greatness. A permission to be unapologetically bold, a permission to bloom, blossom, expand, take up space, to step into my light. A permission to shine.”
Simpkins continued, “While creating these pieces and reflecting on my story I realized that this is not just my story as a young woman of color designer but a shared story of the Black experience. A major part of the Black experience in America is the fight for that same permission.”
Empowerment suits the designer just fine.
Of the three styles Simpkins created for “Brilliant & Black,” the “In Bloom Ring” is the most elaborate.
Crafted in 18-karat rose gold, it features a rare, internally flawless, 2.43-carat, cushion-cut fancy pink diamond, 2.73 carats of custom-cut rubies, and 0.77 carats of pink sapphires.
Priced at $1 million, it’s available now at Sotheby’s.
Related stories will be right here …
Today in New York City, Sotheby’s opens its selling exhibition, “Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance.”
Curated in partnership with jewelry editor and author Melanie C. Grant, the sale showcases about 60 pieces from 20 talented Black designers from midcentury to today.
Included is Los Angeles-based contemporary multidisciplinary artist and jeweler Maggi Simpkins, whose specialty is bespoke, one-of-a-kind jewels like engagement rings, with an emphasis on crafting “narrative-driven” designs informed by her clients’ life experiences.
For “Brilliant & Black,” Simpkins turned inward to reflect on her own story.
Per her artist’s statement for Sotheby’s, what she uncovered was, “permission to realize my greatness. A permission to be unapologetically bold, a permission to bloom, blossom, expand, take up space, to step into my light. A permission to shine.”
Simpkins continued, “While creating these pieces and reflecting on my story I realized that this is not just my story as a young woman of color designer but a shared story of the Black experience. A major part of the Black experience in America is the fight for that same permission.”
Empowerment suits the designer just fine.
Of the three styles Simpkins created for “Brilliant & Black,” the “In Bloom Ring” is the most elaborate.
Crafted in 18-karat rose gold, it features a rare, internally flawless, 2.43-carat, cushion-cut fancy pink diamond, 2.73 carats of custom-cut rubies, and 0.77 carats of pink sapphires.
Priced at $1 million, it’s available now at Sotheby’s.
Maggi Simpkins “In Bloom” ring for Sotheby’s Brilliant & Black sale (Image courtesy of Sotheby’s)
More on Collections
The Latest
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
