The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
Jewelers boost offerings for same-gender couples
As more states fight to legalize gay marriage and the bridal market begins to grow for same-gender couples, two more retailers have expanded their product selection to tap into the growing opportunity.
While the figure continually is changing as new laws are made and others struck down, the numbers continue to trend in favor of marriage equality for same-gender couples.
This provides a bump for the wedding market, and retailers that are open to change are capturing the new opportunities with increased support and expanded product selections targeted at the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender--or LGBT--community.
To tap into this growing market, online retailer Brilliance is launching a line of men’s engagement rings called “Mangagement Rings.”
Brilliance said that the inspiration for the new line came in part after the company saw many customers seeking a man’s engagement ring but ended up creating a custom piece since no one was offering a dedicated line of such.
After they started seeing this, the company began to research whether there was interest in such a collection, coming to the conclusion that, in fact, there was.
Brilliance said that the line makes them the first major retailer to create a dedicated line of engagement rings designed specifically for men that aren’t just re-purposed wedding bands or rings for women. With the Mangagement line, Brilliance is focusing on the structure of the rings--sharper angles, wider bands, and unconventional shapes.
Brilliance also is offering a custom design service for those who don’t see any rings that speak to their preferences.
The collection is slated to launch mid-October and only will be available online at Brilliance.com. It will include rings made in gold, platinum and palladium, with some designs available in silver for affordability. Brilliance is projecting a range of prices from $950 to $9,750 for the rings that will be included in the initial line.
“This project has been in the works for a long time, and it is finally coming together for launch,” Shai Barel, director of strategic partnerships at Brilliance, told National Jeweler. “It happens to be the perfect time, when you think about it, because of
RELATED CONTENT: The change that is bringing opportunity
He added that while Brilliance will be advertising anywhere that reaches a primarily younger, male demographic, they also want to extend beyond the LGBT market by tapping into the increasing number of women who want to propose to their male partners--another increasing trend that the company has identified in the industry.
Its marketing initiatives involve mostly online avenues such as social media and Google advertising, in addition to several highly-targeted print publications.
In similar news, Kingston Fine Jewelry in Kingston, N.Y. has added bridal jewelry designed for the LGBT community to its offerings at the store.
Kingston now is selling bridal pieces designed for same-sex couples by New York-based designer Rony Tennenbaum, “joining the new generation of jewelry pioneers that are taking an accepting stance and showing support for the LGBT community,” it said.
The store said adding Tennenbaum’s line will allow them a wider outreach and enable them to include same-gender couples as part of their “all-inclusive accepted family of customers.”
RELATED CONTENT: Another chain taps into the LGBT wedding market
In addition to showing its support for the LGBT community, Kingston also said carrying Tennenbaum’s line will boost its local presence and following by strengthening its foothold as a bridal destination.
Other retailers that currently carry Tennenbaum’s LGBT Collection include Ben Bridge Jeweler in Tacoma and Spokane, Wash., Rogers & Holland and Sparkle in Chicago, and Christensen & Rafferty in San Francisco and Richmond, Va.
The Latest
Christie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
The ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
Retailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
The late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
Three fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
Kimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
The company’s Easton location will remain open.
Brian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation was elected to serve a one-year term in the role.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Tobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
Stars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.
The branded jewelry market is thriving, said Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert.
The six designers, all participants in the show’s Diversity Action Council mentorship program, will exhibit in Salon 634.
The highlight of his collection is the coveted Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, which could sell for up to $5 million.
The “Venetian Link” series modernizes the classic Veneziana box chain in its bracelets and necklaces.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.
The Swiss watchmaker said the company’s plans to use a new version of the Hallmark crown on jewelry would confuse consumers.
The executive talked about the importance of self-purchasers and how fuel cell electric vehicles are going to fuel demand for platinum.