Judith Ripka Opens Store in Westchester, New York
The brand’s first store in a decade, it also will house an art gallery.

Founded in 1977 by its eponymous designer, Judith Ripka was acquired by Xcel Brands in 2014.
Now, it’s opening its first boutique in a decade in Westchester County, New York, a suburb of New York City where the brand originated.
Slated to open its doors in June in shopping center The Westchester in White Plains, Xcel Brands said the brick-and-mortar move marks the brand’s continued relevance in today’s market and its official rebirth.
“We are looking forward to Judith Ripka’s opening in The Westchester,” said Xcel Brands Chairman and CEO Bob D’Loren.
“The White Plains and surrounding communities have such an artistic flair and appreciation for luxury, both of which we are delighted to be part of. We’ve been seeing considerable growth online from customers outside of the New York City area. To better serve our customers, we expect to continue expanding our physical presence.”
Knowing that today’s customer desires a retail experience, the new boutique will also function as a rotating art gallery, inspired by immersive art experiences that are social media friendly, Xcel Brands said.
In addition to Judith Ripka fine jewelry, “elevated” objects and gifts as well as contemporary art will be featured in the space on a rotating basis.
The store will commence with an exhibition of photographs from French and American artist Laurent Elie Badessi.
Badessi’s works are displayed in important public and private collections around the world, from the Whitney in New Yok City to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France Paris.
Born into a multi-generational family of artists, the photographer moved from Paris to the United States in the 1990s.
Some of his most recognized works are a book called “Skin,” focused on the human figure; a Charles Jourdan advertising campaign on permanent display at Musée de la Publicité-Musée des Arts Décoratifs; and his “Age of Innocence” exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
To stay current with the forthcoming store’s rotating display of artists, see JudithRipka.com.
The Latest

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.


High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

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.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

The $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.

With gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.

Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.

In 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.



























