The announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
Jewelry Brand to Know: Kendra Pariseault
The RISD graduate’s collection depicts soundwaves in gold.
New York—It isn’t often that a new jewelry designer comes out of the gate declaring her love for a particular gemstone, but a peek at Kendra Pariseault’s debut collection leaves no doubt of her allegiance to pink sapphires.
“My engagement ring is a pink sapphire, so it’s a very personal stone for me,” Pariseault said.
The New York City-based designer noted that in general, “I wouldn’t consider myself a super-pink girl,” instead favoring black and gray in her wardrobe. For jewelry, though, she makes an exception.
“I’ve always loved color in my jewelry, and the shade of these hot pink sapphires is like candy; you almost want to eat them.”
The designer discovered her love of colored gemstones at David Yurman, where she went to work during the 2008 recession after having worked in the fabrics department at Calvin Klein.
“There was something about jewelry that felt more exciting than apparel did for me. I loved how, when you see a gorgeous stone, it really speaks to you in a certain way,” she said.
She left David Yurman to pursue a master of fine arts in jewelry and metalsmithing at the esteemed Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where the program “taught me and trained me how to think about concepts and bring those concepts to reality.”
The concept that Pariseault explores in her first collection is sound as a memory marker of important life events.
The designer recalls how the sound of the ocean in her native Rhode Island, where she still spends her summers, functions almost as a personal soundtrack to her own life.
Likewise, moments like hearing her son’s heartbeat for the first time when she was pregnant or the sound of a deceased relative’s voice captured in a saved voicemail on a cell phone are intense memory triggers.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Ashley Davis (@ashleylikesgems) on Mar 2, 2019 at 9:44am PST
From this idea, Pariseault has crystallized the sound waves of specific words or moments in jewelry, making the visual form of a sound wave permanent courtesy of 14-karat yellow gold, often accented with her beloved pink sapphires.
The specific shade of the 14-karat yellow gold alloy the designer uses was chosen for the way it complements, rather than competes with, the color of the sapphires.
Pieces from her debut collection, which also incorporate diamonds and a few other gems and metals, will be available on Moda Operandi this spring, retailing mostlybetween $5,000 and $50,000.
Pariseault also creates custom sound wave bracelets, using a spoken word or sound of the client’s choosing to create a wholly personal and sentimental talisman.
Expect a second collection—a continuation of her sound wave concept—this summer.
The Latest
Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Jewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
This little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Though its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
Despite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
Lilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
Why do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
The “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Owner David Mann is heading into retirement.
While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
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.
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.
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.
The company’s Easton location will remain open.