The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
Inside Communion by Joy’s Spiritual Space
Fine jewelry brand Communion by Joy’s Culver City showroom provides much more than a shopping experience.
Culver City, Calif.--About a decade since it started, fine jewelry brand Communion by Joy has opened its first physical retail destination where clients can interact with the jewels and designer Joy Smith in person, but the experience goes far beyond shopping.
Located in Culver City, California, an area of Los Angeles adjacent to Venice Beach, Communion by Joy opened last September as a by-appointment showroom and a special events space.
Smith had been visualizing this type of hybrid retail/event location for a couple of years, but as soon as she found the Culver City space, things quickly fell into place.
Like the jewelry Smith creates, the location’s focus is spiritual. Smith is using it to host yoga classes, energy and healing ceremonies, and visits from special guests like her shaman.
For a brand whose name signifies bringing people together, it’s a full-circle moment.
“I don’t reach out to anyone, or if I do, it’s very organic,” Smith explained. “I just let things happen. It’s (focused) a lot on empowerment. I feel like it’s what the space wants. I feel like I’m the caretaker of this space.”
Smith has taken a similarly intuitive approach to much of her design career.
After leaving a career in corporate entertainment, Smith, who had long been a painter and sculptor, began carving wax jewelry models by hand, as she still does today.
Initially, she tried to create pieces that felt mainstream, like what other people were selling at the time, but customers weren’t connecting with them.
“I was like, why don’t I do what I really want creatively,” said Smith. “Not a lot of my pieces are very conventional, especially in the beginning, eight or 10 years ago. I started really being myself and creating the way I wanted to; even though I thought it was really weird, it was more myself. When I started doing that, I started getting more people interested in what I was doing, people who saw things that resonated with them.
“Then I started delving in spiritually with what I want to express. I want people to get the idea of what bliss feels like or what heaven feels like, if that felt like something (tangible). I wanted to see what the presence of the divine looked like within my pieces. Now I totally take myself out of my work. I don’t judge it. I’m going
The result is Smith’s range of 14-karat recycled gold pieces abundant with motifs like doves, the Virgin Mary, and rays of light, accented with diamonds and colored gemstones.
As Culver City continues to develop and foot traffic increases, Smith is open to the idea of making her store open as a full-time retail location. As always, she is going with the flow.
“I’ve really trained myself to trust, because I believe I’m supposed to have this space for a reason, not only for my jewelry but spiritually to have the events that I have,” she said. “And if the highest spirit wants this for me then of course it’s going to work out.”
The Latest
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.