Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
Muzo’s Efforts to Expand Emerald Appreciation
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator catches up with the Colombian miner about its new designer collaborations.
Colombia has long been known for producing some of the finest, highest-quality emeralds in the world.
And while miner Muzo Emerald of course embraces that, the company wants to build an appreciation for all grades of Colombian emeralds, including the commercial production that might have a softer green hue or be slightly more included.
When I was in Las Vegas for the jewelry trade shows earlier this year, I met Gabbi Harvey, who does business development and designer outreach for Muzo Emerald. Harvey and I were both visiting the Couture booth of Dana Bronfman, one of the designers with whom Muzo is partnering as part of an effort to get a divergent group using its emeralds.
Wanting to get more information about Muzo Emerald and its plans, Harvey and I met when we were back in New York, where she further explained that the designer collaboration was a new project the company had undertaken in order to get more of its emeralds in the market.
“Muzo is so synonymous with … the best of the best, but there is other material, and everyone can own an emerald,” she said.
Muzo does still produce some fine quality emeralds but they are expensive because they are so rare, representing only a small percentage of the mine’s production. Its current mechanized mining, though, allows for a steadier supply of commercial-grade emeralds and more regular production overall.
In the year ahead, Muzo will look to find a market for every grade of its gemstones, taking time to find businesses that share a “similar company ethos” with which to partner since it puts so much focus on corporate and social responsibility, and showcase all the mine produces.
The designer partnership from the traditionally quiet miner is a big part of that, especially in creating awareness for the commercial material. Muzo wants to showcase these gemstones in a different light and build that end of the market because the company sees a lot of opportunity, Harvey said.
For the collaboration, they are using a mix of beads, slices, cabochons and tumbles to showcase the full run of the mine’s production.
Muzo is partnering with designers both emerging and established, including Lisa Kim, Dana Bronfman, Melissa Spencer and Eden Presley. The collaboration also includes Victor Velyan, who exhibited three pieces set with Muzo emeralds at Couture, and Coomi, which is planning a VIP event with Muzo for the
The collaboration also brought about a pretty big celebrity moment for Muzo earlier this year, when singer Ricky Martin sported Wilfredo Rosado’s sugarloaf cabochon Muzo emerald ring (which later was featured as a National Jeweler Piece of the Week) on the Golden Globes red carpet.
Muzo is now in the planning stages with a few more brands like Ara Vartanian, Mizuki, Noor Fares, Daniela Villegas and Alice Cicolini.
The 20 designers on the Muzo collboration roster all have very different aesthetics, finding ways to mix their signature styles with the Muzo emeralds to best show off both.
Harvey told me they’re loving the results.
“It’s nice to see how everyone looks at this material in a totally different way.”
And it seems like the designers are having fun with it too.
“When Gabbi reached out and had me in for a play date with the stones they are hoping to introduce, I was ecstatic,” designer Gwen Myers of Eden Presley told me. “I hadn’t worked with or seen emeralds in this capacity before. The color is gorgeous. The fluid nature of them is also super-enticing for me. These are stones with stories to tell. I hope that comes through in the pieces I created using the material.”
Check out a few pieces from the designer collaboration below.
The Latest
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
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.
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.