MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsJun 27, 2016
Jennie Kwon Shows Her Softer Side
The jewelry designer discusses how she’s transitioned her aesthetic without losing the design signature that put her on the map.
Jewelry designer Jennie Kwon discusses how she’s transitioned her aesthetic without losing the design signature that put her on the map.
Los Angeles--Jennie Kwon is in the mood for pastels; specifically, Ceylon blue sapphires, morganite, opals and green sapphires, all light-hued stones that bring to mind the serenity of a Monet painting.
“This past season we were drawn toward watercolor, painterly tones in our stones and that’s really what inspired the design,” said Kwon.
With her latest collection, Kwon has transcended the conundrum designers face after solidly establishing themselves in the industry: how to evolve artistically without losing their hard-earned customer.
“I was kind of pigeonholed as being a more minimalistic jewelry designer with a slight edge, so most of my pieces were kind of streamlined and we used a lot of black and white stones--black diamonds, white diamonds, onyx--and that’s what we were known for,” explained Kwon, “but the jewelry is basically a reflection of each of the seasons of my life and I just found myself drawn to softer tones and a little bit more romantic lines and designs.”
Kwon seems to find success in everything she touches; the Californian was a violinist then corporate lawyer and turned to jewelry design after becoming a mother.
“I felt my sense of aesthetic softening a bit,” she said.
Kwon’s bridal collection, launched last year, was a precursor to her softer sensibility. The range features romantic rose-cut diamonds, straying from the starker colors Kwon used in previous main-line collections.
The latest sorbet-colored offerings manage to stay on-brand through Kwon’s signature delicate scale, which encourages customers to layer.
“I’m drawn toward color but on a more manageable, dainty scale so it’s not so in-your-face,” she said. “It’s not a statement cocktail ring.”
Kwon said the response to her new designs has been positive, perhaps denoting a customer base that is evolving with her.
Ultimately, the designer still wants to create the same type of fine jewelry for customers she started out designing, which she describes as, “something that makes [customers] feel unique when they wear it but on an everyday, wearable scale, so it’s precious and it’s meaningful without being untouchable.”
The spring summer collection retails from $295 to $2,266 and is available at select retailers and JennieKwonDesigns.com.
14-karat yellow gold ring with morganite, opals and white diamonds, $750
14-karat yellow gold ring with opals and white diamonds, $890
14-karat yellow gold earrings with opals and white diamonds, $385
14-karat yellow gold earrings with white diamonds and opals, $295
14-karat yellow gold necklace with white diamonds and opals, $530
More on Trends
The Latest
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
