DESIGNER’S DISH

For Bejeweled, my intention for International Women’s Day was to focus on the talent of some of the wildly imaginative, independent women designers who I have watched throughout their careers. I have known each of these designers since their start and watched them go through the growing pains, trials, tough times and triumphs they have…

The first pair of earrings I ever bought myself was back in the 80’s when I began working as an assistant fashion editor for a now-defunct women’s magazine. They were Ted Muehling and they were my first self-purchase jewelry item. I loved the streamlined style, his knack for translating naturalistic forms into completely wearable jewels, and…

The name Onirikka comes from the word Oneiric, which means ‘from dreams.’” Explains El Salvadorian-born designer Gloria Rank. “Ever since I was a child growing up in my native country, I always had a passion to travel and to work in a creative field. Launching the jewelry collection was a dream come true for me.” Inspired…

When Ethiopian born Yokabid Worku launched her fine jewelry collection Yoki in 2008, her maternal Aunt said, “I am not surprised that this is the path you chose.” She reminded Yokabid, “when you were a little girl, you cut the biggest flower from my garden and held it against your ear and said to me…

I first met Loren Celedonia years ago when she was director of product development at Me & Ro. She was sharp and authoritative about how the pieces should be made from the first models to the hand finishing and setting. She understood Robin Renzi’s aesthetic and knew how to facilitate and get things done. The…

  From the time she was a young girl, Page Sargisson’s family encouraged her creativity. She knit her own dolls’ clothes and batiked scarves. (Pretty impressive to a person like me, who only knew how to dye clothes, as well as the bathtub, purple and fuchsia with RIT dye). Page also grew up working in…

When I first met Gwen Myers, the designer behind Eden Presley (named after her two daughters), her collection was making a statement in gold and diamond message bracelets and motto rings. “I launched my jewelry line 11 years ago when my daughter Eden was born,” says Gwen. “I had an idea to design a bracelet…

  Julie Lamb might be considered an emerging jewelry designer, but she is anything but a newcomer to the industry. Although she launched her own collection only a little over a year ago, she has been designing professionally since she was 19.  From 1996-2014, her work included name brand licensees, runway fashion, high-end fine jewelry lines and…

Part of our Ringing in The New Year series of designer and antique rings, museum exhibits, films and how to wear rings. From award winning large cast iron, aluminum and bronze sculptures to launching their own fine jewelry collection, the dynamic duo of Rudolf Baltera and Julie Gamble not only create intricate aesthetically beautiful pieces,…

Behind every true romance, there is a tale of a gift, a token of love, an expression from the heart. And who said guys are not as sentimental as women? These designers, jewelry presidents, publicists and antique-store owners tell their stories about a gift they gave that landed the special women of their dreams. STEPHEN…