SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says DeloitteIt’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.
EditorsAug 02, 2012
JA’s New Designer Gallery brings fresh designs to the table
The New Designer Gallery pavilion at the JA New York Summer Show is exciting. The entire show in itself is exciting, with a plethora of designs to see, but the NDG offers show-goers something different--jewelry makers who are truly fresh,...
The New Designer Gallery pavilion at the JA New York Summer Show is exciting.
The entire show in itself is exciting, with a plethora of designs to see, but the NDG offers show-goers something different--jewelry makers who are truly fresh, sometimes exhibiting their collections in a tradeshow setting for the first time, energetic and eager to share what they’ve got. For many attendees, it’s like hearing there’s a new kid in school--everyone wants to find out what they’re all about.
The NDG also has the ability to exponentially launch a designer’s career. Established in 1977 by the late Mort Abelson, the NDG brought to the forefront what today are very well known names in the industry: David Yurman, Penny Preville, Steven Lagos, Etienne Perret and others.
This year’s show saw 12 designers exhibiting for the first time at JANY. Check out their designs below.
Naomi Blumenthal brought her ocean-inspired collection to the show, displaying pieces made in 18-karat yellow gold and based on fossils from the sea.
“It’s really fun to meet the other new designers, they’re unexpected bonds,” Blumenthal says of meeting fellow designers in the New Designer Gallery pavilion. “There’s no competition because all of our styles are so different.”
A cuff by Naomi Blumenthal.
United Kingdom-based designer Polly Wales offers alternative wedding bands and engagement rings made in 18-karat gold with gemstones, “mostly sapphires,” she says. Her technique of casting gems directly into gold result in pieces “that resemble natural gem encrusted forms, like sparkling geodes split open, or discoveries from the deep.”
A ring by Polly Wales.
Russian-born designer Leon Megé took first place this year in the American Jewelry Design Council’s New Talent competition at the JANY Summer Show. Now based in New York, he primarily works in platinum and incorporates vividly colored gemstones into his designs, which range from engagement rings to fashion jewelry.
Mini engagement ring charms by Leon Megé.
Pierre Yves is a Canadian designer working in a range of materials, from 18-karat gold, sterling silver and stainless steel to black lava pearls, amethyst, beryl and sapphires. A teacher at the École de Joaillerie de Montréal, or the Montreal Jewellery School, Yves is influenced by modern architecture and strong lines.
A cuff by Pierre Yves.
Sterling silver designer Bree Richey, who was the winner of the inaugural Future of Design business incubator contest earlier this year, showcased her
newest pieces at the show. Richey’s design aesthetic includes a three-dimensional sidewall, which gives her pieces a unique look.
Bracelet by Bree Richey.
Offering pieces in sterling silver and 14-karat yellow gold, exhibiting brand Liv Haley brought colorful, everyday pieces to the show, including rings, earrings and necklaces featuring semi-precious gemstones and diamonds.
The brand was established by sisters Olivia and Hali Thornhill, who selectively choose the gemstones they include in their designs by features such as color natural inclusions, which “give them character.”
A silver, diamond and turquoise ring by Liv Haley.
Designer Michelle Fantaci versatile pieces that range from delicate and feminine to edgy and geometric. Offering fashion and non-traditional wedding rings, Fantaci also offers custom work in a variety of materials.
Platinum earrings by Michelle Fantaci.
Elizabeth Garvin, who was recognized with the Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year Award at the JANY Summer Show, takes her inspiration from ocean currents and weather patterns she became fascinated with while growing up in New England.
Her pieces, made in sterling silver, gold and palladium with diamonds, are Garvin’s literal translations of growing up on the coast.
A ring by Elizabeth Garvin.
Jennifer Reeves designs in 18-karat gold fused with argentium sterling silver, an alloy consisting of 92.5 percent silver, germanium and copper.
“I took a metalsmithing class and I fell in love,” Reeves said of designing. “I love working in metal.”
Earrings by Jennifer Reeves.
Samantha Louise Larkins of Samantha Louise Designs got her first taste of tradeshow life at JANY, showcasing the 18-karat gold designs of her five-year-old brand. A lover of color, Larkins’ pieces incorporate rainbow and gray moonstone, pink sapphires and aquamarine, to name a few stones.
The designer said her charm necklaces had been very popular at the show.
“We found that the staples are doing awesome, but charms are killing it as well,” she said.
An interchangeable charm necklace from Samantha Louise Designs.
Designer Ralph Masri’s black rhodium-plated sterling silver pieces allow deeply colored gemstones to serve as the centerpiece.
“I wanted to create my own lace patterns and make jewelry from it,” he says. “I love detail, the intricacy and finesse of things, and I wanted my jewelry to reflect this.”
Masri features cabochon gemstones as the focal point of his designs, “to bring them out. I think they’re underrated.”
Ralph Masri’s ring is made in solid 18-karat rose gold.
Designer Jeannie Hwang left the corporate world to pursue her passion of making jewelry, landing an apprenticeship with a master jeweler before opening her own studio in San Francisco, where she is currently based.
Hwang works in 18 and 14-karat gold, palladium, precious gemstones and organic materials such as stingray skin. A more unique element of her designs, however, is the use of inverted diamonds.
“I wanted to do something different, and one day I lined up the diamonds upside down and I liked how it looked,” she says.
Although she designs for both men and women, Hwang says she considers many of her pieces to be unisex.
Hwang’s Eclipse hammered band is made in palladium with inverted princess-cut black diamonds.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingSep 15, 2025
Gemfields Achieves $32M at High-Quality Emerald AuctionIt included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2025
Al Gilbertson Wins 2025 Robert M. Shipley AwardGilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
