ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsMay 06, 2019
In New Carnet Book, A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words
The tome on Hong Kong jeweler Carnet by Michelle Ong is coming out just following sale of the designer’s work at Christie’s.
This “Graceful Peony” brooch from Carnet by Michelle Ong was created in 2008. It features white diamonds, rubies, pink sapphires and garnets in 18-karat white gold and titanium. © 2018 Carnet Jewelry
New York—In the introduction to the new book “Carnet by Michelle Ong,” Vivienne Becker writes that the designer “prefers to let her jewels speak for themselves,” and “is unapologetically reluctant to talk about her work.”
Not an easy subject, then, for author and jewelry historian Becker to tackle.
But no matter. The tome is a visual feast, full of 263 illustrations—primarily large-scale photographs, as well as a few sketches—providing a best-of compilation of the Hong Kong-based designer’s more than 25 years of work.
Though not even a picture of Ong herself can be found in its pages, in “Carnet by Michelle Ong” the jewels do all the talking.
Divided into somewhat overlapping categories like “Nature” and “Flora,” each jewel nearly jumps off the page, whether one turns to an elaborate, graphic jadeite and diamond collar with emeralds, purple sapphires, and garnets in 18-karat white gold and titanium, or chances upon a massive reddish-brown diamond bracelet accented by brown and white diamonds in 18-karat white gold and titanium.
Tourmaline, white diamond, pink and blue sapphire and amethyst necklace in platinum and titanium, 2003
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
“Opal Allure” earrings, 2012, featuring fire opal, fancy intense yellow, yellow and white diamonds, red spinels and orange sapphires in 18-karat yellow gold
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
Emerald, white diamond, pink and purple sapphire, and garnet brooch in 18-karat white gold and titanium, 2015
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
“Cleopatra” earrings, 2008, with emeralds and white diamonds in platinum and 18-karat white gold
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
White diamond and platinum ring, 2004
© 2018 Carnet Jewelry
Each tonal masterpiece translates its original, natural inspiration into a technical feat of high jewelry.
According to Becker, Ong was a pioneer in mixing eastern and western influences in her designs. Her creations often incorporate jade or, occasionally, a dragon or fan motif. Even a ubiquitous jadeite bangle is transformed when intertwined in a net of colored gemstones, repurposing the item into a brooch.
With the designer’s recent exhibition of one-of-a-kind pieces at Christie’s New York’s Magnificent Jewels sale, “Carnet by Michelle Ong” is an essential jewelry read in 2019.
With a foreword from fellow one-of-a-kind high jeweler Joel Arthur Rosenthal—professionally known as JAR—the book is out from Thames & Hudson on June 11 and priced at $95.
More on Trends
The Latest
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
