SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
TrendsOct 11, 2019
The Contemporary Jewelry Design Group is Shuttering
Dwindling interest from current members has led to the non-profit’s closure after 30 years.
New York—Non-profit association Contemporary Jewelry Design Group is closing after 30 years, the group announced in a statement posted to its website and social media channels this week.
“We relied almost entirely on the collection of membership dues, and we have reluctantly determined that this is no longer a viable option for the association going forward. While we were continuing to gain new members, the renewal rate for current members continued to drop,” the statement read in part.
Founded in 1989, CJDG’s goal has always been to promote independent jewelry designers in the industry at large.
The organization did so through its website that features designer profiles, a monthly e-mail newsletter that went to approximately 2,000 retailers and a robust social media presence, including nearly 15,000 followers at the time of this article.
The CJDG’s website currently lists 93 members, including brands like Adel Chefridi, Coomi, Dana Bronfman and Ray Griffiths.
The CJDG booth has been a presence for several years at the Couture jewelry trade show, hosting six member designers.
Marylouise Lugosch became the group’s executive director in 1999, running daily operations.
She explained to National Jeweler that changes in the way brands do business has been a major factor in closing the organization.
“CJDG started in 1989 when a group of designers got together at a show in California. They realized that they didn’t have a voice in the jewelry industry, so they banded together to try to make the industry and the retailers more aware of their work,” she explained.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by CJDG (@cjdgjewelers) on Oct 8, 2019 at 7:11am PDT
“At that time, everyone did the trade shows,” she added. “Today, more than half of our members don’t do shows at all. The sense of community was lost. Yes, online communities can be vibrant, but people need to see each other in the flesh a few times a year and that wasn’t happening as much. At the same time that trade show participation was dwindling, retail was changing. Social media and Instagram are great, but at some point you get lost in all the images.”
Lugosch also felt CJDG never fully recovered from the 2008 recession, the end of an era in which customers “would put a pair of $4,000 18-karat gold earrings on their credit card.”
Despite its closure, she said that CJDG has achieved its goals of promoting brands’ work over the past three decades.
Her fondest memories are of the relationships fostered between designers.
“We created a
great sense of community,” she said.
Lugosch is most proud of CJDG’s spearheading of the Cindy Edelstein Memorial Auction at the Couture jewelry trade show, an idea from Just Jules designer Julie Romanenko, which raised $30,000 for the WJA Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship and Jewelers for Children in honor of the late jewelry advocate.
Lugosch is most proud of CJDG’s spearheading of the Cindy Edelstein Memorial Auction at the Couture jewelry trade show, an idea from Just Jules designer Julie Romanenko, which raised $30,000 for the WJA Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship and Jewelers for Children in honor of the late jewelry advocate.
The Latest
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
