EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
TrendsJun 15, 2018
Jewelry Brand to Know: Leslie Paige
The new brand’s signatures are off-kilter settings and interlocking rings.
This is one of Leslie Paige’s signatures: a creatively-set solitaire gemstone ring. The 14-karat rose gold and amethyst style sells for $2,400 at retail.
Portland, Ore.—Like a lot of great ventures, designer Leslie Paige McElroy’s fine jewelry line began when she couldn’t find a specific ring she wanted to wear.
“I really just wanted to find a ring that was set with the stone on its side, so you could see the back of the stone as well as the front,” McElroy explained. “When I couldn’t find anything like it, I decided to have the first one made just for me.”
McElroy ended up making two, and before she even picked them up from the jeweler, people had asked to buy them from her.
“From there I continued to design other pieces I basically wanted for myself and found people loved them,” she said.
McElroy is a former pastry chef who had just finished a year of teaching culinary arts at a college when she had the idea for her “Perched Setting Ring,” or her signature design, which sets stones on their edges in a bezel, creating a sort of alternative solitaire ring.
“My inspiration comes from wanting to create something new and different while using classic components, like channel-set baguettes or bezel-set emerald-cut stones. I love geometric shapes and mechanical things, so these thing always end up in my designs. Some of my pieces almost have a machine-like feel to them.”
Leslie Paige’s Double Screw bangle in 14-karat rose gold with rhodolite garnet and green tourmaline ($5,000)
Perched ring in 14-karat yellow gold with London blue topaz ($2,400)
Five Band Puzzle ring in 14-karat white gold with diamond baguettes ($6,000)
Two Square Puzzle necklace in 14-karat yellow gold with diamonds ($2,000)
Perched ring in 14-karat white gold with 1-carat diamond ($11,800)
Bezel Cluster necklace in 14-karat yellow gold with kunzite, rhodolite garnet, aquamarine and multicolored sapphires (price available upon request)
The most industrial of McElroy’s pieces is a hefty cuff, with two screws topped with her untraditionally-set stones. McElroy plans to make a non-gemstone version for men in the future.
Another of the designer’s signatures are her interlocking square rings and necklaces, which she calls her “Puzzle” series.
McElroy officially launched Leslie Paige in 2016 with a trunk show at Marios—a part of the Mitchell Stores chain—in Portland, Oregon, where she resides.
Now, she’s stocked at Broken English’s range of stores in New York and California, as well as Hot Box Betty in Bend, Oregon.
Describing her design ethos as “a classic twist on a modern design,” McElroy is just beginning to find her voice in her new medium, having left the pastry world behind.
“I always wore very classic jewelry--beautiful, but traditional,” she said. “What I want to wear and create now are small pieces of art, conversation starters and things that prompt intrigue.”
Retail prices for the 14-karat gold, gemstone and diamond line start at $200 for a single earring and reach up to $11,800, though most of the range falls between $2,000 and $6,000.
For
more information, visit LesliePaigeJewelry.com.
A post shared by LesliePaige (@lesliepaigejewelry) on May 15, 2018 at 3:05pm PDT
More on Trends
The Latest
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
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.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
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.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 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.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
