Going Behind the Scenes at NYC Jewelry Week

NYC Jewelry Week (NYCJW) is back, with over 100 in-person and virtual experiences scheduled from November 18 to 24. The seventh edition of the annual event comprises exhibitions, panel discussions, interviews, book launches, first-look designer reveals, and exclusive events. Designed to appeal to the widest audience, from window shoppers to avid collectors, the New York-wide celebration of jewelry is free of charge and open to the public.

The theme of this year’s weeklong event is “Wonder & Wander,” to showcase the craftsmanship behind each piece as well as the jeweler’s creative journey.

The appeal of NYCJW is that it brings together newcomers, established brands, jewelry artists, authors and retailers to offer a comprehensive overview of the jewelry scene.

The lineup includes presentations by leading designers such as David and Sybil Yurman, Solange Azagury-Partridge, and Nigel O’Reilly, as well as an interview with Almasika founder and philanthropist Catherine Sarr. In the lecture “Mine to Manhattan,” the team from the Cruzeiro mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil, will discuss the journey of tourmaline.

Visitors can explore an exhibition on contemporary Korean jewelry artists who reinterpret traditional heritage through modern aesthetics. Meanwhile, Symoné Currie, founder and creative director of Metal x Wire, will present her work at Atelier d’Emotion.

This year’s virtual events, including panel discussions on signet rings and charms, will be available on NYCJW’s YouTube channel for on-demand access throughout the week and beyond.

In addition to the educational program, attendees will have the chance to learn more about NYCJW’s strategic initiatives, such as its equity and mentorship programs.

Here, founder Bella Neyman discusses jewelry education, the latest art-jewelry developments, and NYCJW’s future plans.

How would you describe the evolving relationship of consumers with jewelry education?

I think jewelry consumers are very similar to art collectors. They take their purchases seriously, and they want to establish relationships with the people they are buying from. It is about trust, and building trust comes with education. Jewelry consumers are passionate and inquisitive. They want to understand how something is made, the history behind a trend, where the materials are coming from, and what inspired the maker. Jewelry consumers take pride in their knowledge because it gives their acquisitions that much more meaning. We take educating consumers very seriously at NYCJW and believe that the access we provide to the designers and makers plays a key role in this.

Are there any global jewelry trends that will significantly influence the art-jewelry scene in the coming years?

Yes! I am seeing that more art jewelers are entering the fine-jewelry sphere. There is an interest in experimenting with precious materials, using hard stones, maybe even lab-grown diamonds, and applying the same curiosity, creativity, and craftsmanship. That being said, I think more fine jewelers are open to including found objects and not letting the value of the material stop them from incorporating it into their designs. I think that it’s a very exciting time in jewelry in general.

Could you see NYCJW expanding to other cities?

I am always asked about this. I would love to — if I had the right partners. To be clear, there are other jewelry weeks. In fact, many European cities host them, but they mostly focus on art jewelry. NYCJW is the only one that really includes all types of jewelry.

The full lineup and event calendar are available on NYCJW’s website.

Featured image: Bella Neyman. (NYC Jewelry Week)

Join Rapaport’s exclusive WhatsApp channel for real-time news, analysis, and insights.