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Articles by Jennifer Shaheen
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to Transformation
Los Angeles—Zoë Chicco has teamed up with actress, singer, and “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo on a new capsule collection called “Chrysalis.” As the name hints, the designs seen throughout the capsule draw from the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly. “For Cynthia, transformation is revelation. It is the unfolding of who you are out of who you were. It is the illumination of purpose,” said the brand.
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy Edelstein
Described by the late Alex Woo as a “fairy godmother” to jewelry designers, Cindy Edelstein was a mentor, advocate, editor, author, and mother.On a very special episode of My Next Question, hosts Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff sat down with designer Pamela Froman and Cindy’s daughter Remy Sasha to remember her, as 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of her sudden passing.
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares Collection
London—Jessica McCormack has teamed up with New York-based luxury design and fragrance house L’Objet on her first homewares collection.The L’Objet x Jessica McCormack collection, described as “sea-inspired jewels for the home,” looks to McCormack’s “Beaches” collection of fine jewelry from 2023, though L’Objet founder Elad Yifrach has also explored sea themes in the past.“This collection brings together some of my favorite design motifs and perfectly translates the intimacy and craftsmanship...
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and Grabs
New York—A total of nine jewelers in the Garden State have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies since the start of the year, prompting the Jewelers’ Security Alliance to issue an alert for New Jersey jewelers.According to JSA, the most recent smash-and-grab robbery happened Sept.
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal Catalog
Northvale, N.J.—Midas Chain has released its “House of Midas” bridal jewelry catalog.The offerings in the catalog were inspired by the enduring romance of every bride, the company said, and it has a large range of designs that are contemporary, modern, and traditional.The catalog includes semi-mounts, bridal jewelry, and wedding bands that are unisex, for men, and for women.Within House of Midas is the “Bouquet of Flowers” collection that celebrates nature with designs inspired by blooming...
Bromberg & Co. Names New President
Marlin Hood, who goes by Brian, is now at the helm of Bromberg & Co. and will lead alongside Vice President Kathryn “Kitty” Lovelady, who has been with the jeweler for 40 years. Bromberg & Co. said that Hood and Lovelady will work closely with the Bromberg family, whose members remain active on the board of directors.
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition
That is, unless the celebrity wore a standout necklace. In that case, they walked the blue carpet without earrings at the awards ceremony, which was held Monday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to honor the best in television. White metals Read on to see my favorite jewelry looks from the Emmys that both fit and defy the trends seen on the award show’s peacock blue carpet.
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday Season
New York—Armadani, the luxury Italian division of Richline Jewelry, announced that it has partnered with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) to develop a comprehensive retail support program for independent jewelry retailers. The program, the company said, is designed to help retailers connect with consumers during the fall and holiday selling seasons.
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends You
Ask an AI assistant for recommendations on where to buy an engagement ring in your town.
Why Your Marketing Needs a Second Set of Eyes
IN CUSTOM DESIGN OR jewelry repair, nothing leaves without a second review. Your sales associates are trained to perform a final check before handing the jewelry to customers. Everyone recognizes the importance of this step, and it’s never skipped during busy weeks. Now consider the email sent on Thursday that announces an upcoming event or introduces a new designer collection you recently added. Who reviews it? Based on what standard? And where is that review process documented?
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ Necklaces
The “Question Mark” campaign, named after the style of high jewelry necklace, showcases four modern versions—“Eternity Question Mark,” “Goutte Question Mark,” “Lierre de Paris Question Mark,” and “Plume de Paon Question Mark.” Boucheron first designed the Question Mark necklace at a time when jewelry and outfits still restricted women’s bodies, said the jeweler.
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education Scholarships
The annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious Metals
Alnesha Bianca Handy, 35, and James Arthur Graves Graham Jr., 24, were arrested after allegedly operating a complex phone scam. On Feb. 10, the unnamed victim received phone calls from people claiming to be from Bank of America and Chase Bank, said Treasure Island Police Chief John Barkley in a She was on the phone with the scammers for around 4.5 hours, he said.
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to Buy
My question is: Do you understand how to connect with this generation and what matters to them? Jewelry purchases have always been driven by emotion, and that remains true today. However, the specific emotion motivating buyers has shifted. The traditional aspirational message Previously, such messaging appealed to those who believed the future held better opportunities.
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farms’ Anniversary With Jewelry
Tennessee—New York-based jewelry brand Brent Neale has partnered with Blackberry Farms, a Tennessee resort, to celebrate its 50th anniversary with limited-edition jewelry.Brent Neale, the designer behind her eponymous brand, designed pieces that draw from the beauty and warmth of the luxury Relais & Châteaux resort while staying true to her whimsical, nature-inspired style.“I’ve had friends get married there, and we just had a client of ours propose there! It’s such a special spot that takes...
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With Jewelry
Tennessee—New York-based jewelry brand Brent Neale has partnered with Blackberry Farm, a Tennessee resort, to celebrate its 50th anniversary with limited-edition jewelry.Brent Neale, the designer behind her eponymous brand, designed pieces that draw from the beauty and warmth of the luxury Relais & Châteaux resort while staying true to her whimsical, nature-inspired style.“I’ve had friends get married there, and we just had a client of ours propose there! It’s such a special spot that takes...
5 Questions to Ask Before Using AI in Your Jewelry Store
A STORE MANAGER recently emailed me: “I am trying to set up an AI agent to help create content for our website. What tools should I use?” It’s a fair question, but it’s not the right first question. Begin with your goal, not the tool: Before choosing an AI tool, clarify what you want it to accomplish and how you’ll measure success. AI agents can perform various tasks: writing product descriptions, drafting customer emails, identifying content gaps, and updating records.
What World Cup Fever Teaches Us About Timing, Storytelling and Retail
FULL DISCLOSURE: I AM not a soccer expert. My working knowledge of the sport comes almost entirely from Ted Lasso and Bend It Like Beckham. But I live in New England, and right now, it is impossible to ignore what FIFA fever is doing to the communities around me. This shifts my focus away from the World Cup itself and toward a more vital aspect for jewelry retailers: the skill to transform a cultural moment into something meaningful.
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone Market
The colored gemstone trade has always been built on relationships, and that foundation will always endure. What is changing is how the trade uses technology to leverage those relationships between meetings, travel, and trade shows. Buyers and sellers increasingly expect faster access to inventory, clearer visibility across categories, and tools that facilitate business in the way it is actually conducted today.
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026
Maybe you’re already fawning over these designers’ jewels, or perhaps this is the first time you’re seeing their work. Either way, 2026 is positioned to be their year. Guided by experts in the industry, the growing attention I’ve noticed around these brands, and standout pieces that are too unique to ignore, I’ve compiled a list of six designers who have the momentum to have a breakout year.
The Top 5 Stories of 2025
Though 2025 was a year filled with unexpected turns, there were few surprises when I pulled National Jeweler’s analytics for the year.I knew an article related to the engagement heard ‘round the world (Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, who got engaged in August) would land somewhere in the top 5, and indeed it did.Published in October as part of our fall 2025 Diamond Report , Associate Editor Lauren McLemore’s excellent article, “The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds Edition,” examined how...
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ Couples
New York—Greenwich St. Jewelers has launched a new wedding and commitment campaign celebrating LGBTQ+ couples. The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign represents the diversity of love in all its forms and the power of rings to symbolize commitment through a visual narrative of two couples. Its title plays on the double entendre, “the perfect ring,” referring to the couples’ jewelry and singular bond.
These ‘Luminaries’ Are Set to Light Up Couture
Las Vegas—Six of the seven jewelry designers who comprise the second class of Couture Diversity Action Council mentees will be bringing new light to the show later this month.The designers—Alexia Connellan, Sasha Flynn, Hiba Husayni, Bliss Lau, Ama McKinley, and Casey Perez—will exhibit at Couture Salon 634, debuting as the “Luminaries by Couture.”(The seventh DAC mentee, Ope Omojola of Octave Jewelry , continues to be part of the program but will not be participating in Couture this...
First Responders Win BIJC’s Second ‘Together by Design’ Contest
A pair of first responders who met during training and later reconnected are the winners of the Black in Jewelry Coalition’s (BJIC) second “Together by Design” contest and competition. The future groom, Nana, was the one who entered the “Love Story” portion of the contest, sharing details of how he met his now-fiancée, Jennifer, while the two were attending an EMS training academy. They initially were just friends but after graduation, they reconnected and became more.
Malyia McNaughton to Become BIJC Board President
In 2024, current BIJC Board President and Jewelers of America Chief Financial Officer Annie Doresca will transition to treasurer and current BIJC Treasurer Malyia McNaughton, a Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist and the designer behind the Doresca and McNaughton are among the co-founders of BIJC. “As we reflect on BIJC’s accomplishments in its first three years, I am deeply grateful for the dedication and resilience of our team.
16 Questions to Ask a Marketing Firm Before Hiring Them
As a small business owner who runs a marketing firm, I hear all the time about the relationships that didn’t work out. Small business owners who can’t find a marketing firm they “click” with, marketing firms that are frustrated by the clients who balk at every idea, etc. Communication is key to avoiding these issues. Here are some questions to ask a marketing firm before hiring them.
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Loan rejected? Let’s talk about some of the reasons you may have been turned down and what you can do to improve the odds next time.
4 Content Curation Tools To Consider for Marketing
Content marketing – creating and sharing your own blog entries, videos, infographics and more to attract customer attention and drive sales – is a great strategy to promote your small business. However, great doesn’t mean easy. Many small business owners have discovered that consistently creating, sharing and promoting original, high quality content is a difficult, time-consuming task.
Apps That Can Improve Your Efficiency
By Jennifer Shaheen. Business owners are perpetually pressed for time. One way to increase your efficiency is the smart use of apps, which allow you to accomplish everyday business tasks via your mobile device. Having the right combination of apps makes it easy to transform even small blocks of downtime, such as the morning train ride, into an opportunity to be productive. When choosing what apps you’d like to use, it’s important to make sure they’re compatible with your mobile device.
Data Analysis Rule #1: Active Participation Required
At this point, I don’t think I need to convince anyone about the valuable role data plays in building businesses. Everyone’s heard how having the right information makes it easier to identify and connect with new customers, make better operational decisions, and become more profitable. What everyone hasn’t heard is that making full use of your data requires your active participation . . . Please login or create your free JewelryEcomm.com account to access the rest of the article or page.
As technology evolves, so you must reinvent and transform your business - Providence Business News
As technology evolves, so you must reinvent and transform your business Jennifer Shaheen has been a creative force since founding Technology Therapy Group while still in college and always looking to transform it as technology and customer needs evolved. / PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY Jennifer Shaheen | Technology Therapy Group LLC founder and president Nothing stands still. If you’re not constantly looking for new opportunities, you won’t find one – and then you’ll be in trouble.
How to Convey Authenticity to Different Generations
Your customers may belong to one of four generations. Baby Boomers are currently between the ages of 53 - 67. Gen Xers are between 37 and 52, and they are the smallest generation. Millennials are the biggest, and are also the group referred to as Gen Y. Right now, they're aged 22 to 36. Gen Z is between 7 and 21. All of these generations value authenticity, but each defines it differently. As a business owner, you need to know how to express your brand's messaging effectively to each.
Abandoned Shopping Cart Rates Are Soaring - And It’s All Our Fault!
I shop for everything online: clothes, jewelry, tires, travel, and furniture. I don’t just shop — I buy too! Recently, I was shopping for a mattress; mine is in need of replacing. I decided to buy online because the ones I have tried in the stores did not turn out all that great, whereas the last one I purchased online was much better and is still used in my guest bedroom. I looked around the website, added the product to the cart and began the checkout process.
How To Maintain Your Small Business Focus
Like most people, I thought I understood what Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) was all about. After all, the conversation about why some kids have a really hard time settling down and focusing in the classroom has been going on since the 1980s. Over the years, I’ve had classmates and colleagues who were diagnosed, and through interactions with them I thought I knew what the situation was.
Technology: Small Business Community
Ways to Make Your Search More Accurate Most of the time, you just want to find content that has a particular phrase. Here are the easiest ways to find the content you want. Enclose your search phrase in quotes. Search will try to find content with those words in the order you enclosed them. A search for " " is going to return content with the phrase " ". Search for content that has certain words, but not necessarily all of the words in order. This is the most basic search.
Is WordPress Easy To Work With? That Depends on Your Web Developer
Small business owners all have one thing in common: They’re all on a budget, trying to do the best they can to build their businesses with a limited amount of financial resources. One of the ways business owners attempt to save money is to take on the job of editing and updating their websites themselves, after having the initial site built for them by a development team. It’s a smart strategy, but it’s not always a successful one.
How to Use Knowledge to Connect to Your Customer
Knowledge is dead. Have you heard this? It’s a meme making the rounds in marketing circles right now. This happens periodically, when advances in technology make accessing information easier, faster and less expensive than it was previously. It creates a type of existential angst in the industry: What’s the point in showcasing expertise when anyone can be an expert? Any question can be answered with a quick web search. We don’t have to know anything, we can Google it.
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