The 6th edition of NYC Jewelry Week, the annual cultural event dedicated to the celebration of jewelry founded by Bella Neyman and JB Jones, was held this year from November 13 to 19. It was a culturally enriching experience, full of enthusiasm and creativity, made of online and in-presence conferences and exhibitions and unmissable events at venues across the city.
Here are a few highlights recounting some of the most interesting events at NYCJW 2023!
Kicking off the week, on Monday, November 13, auction house Rago | Wright hosted a preview of the “Jewelry and Precious Objects” sale, officially planned for November 29. The exclusive sale includes the fine jewelry collection of noted Hearst Magazine Editor, Ellen Levine, with jewels and watches from international Maisons such as Chopard, Rolex, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co, to name a few.
On the same day, it was possible to attend a very interesting discussion entitled “What Makes a Jewelry Icon. (ICON)ography: Past, Present, Future”, led by Stellene Volandes, Editor-in-Chief of Town & Country, featuring insights from renowned jewelers Solange Azagury-Partridge and Briony Raymond, alongside Stylist and Editor Malaika Crawford.
On Tuesday, November 14 Laura Inghirami conducted a live talk dedicated to the history of Italian jewelry and iconography, engaging attendees with a storytelling on the Made in Italy tradition of excellence, and taking them on a journey through the goldsmith districts of Italy. During the talk, held at The Jewelry Library (Broadway), Laura Inghirami delved into the most successful cases of Italian historical Maisons and emerging talents. The room was full of people and saw journalists and prominent personalities in the audience, as well as a jewelry enthusiast who defined Laura as “the charming ambassador” of Made in Italy jewelry in the world. Many participants showed great interest in the talk and in Made in Italy, and interacted with Laura Inghirami to ask for advice about their career and take pictures with her.
Another great event took place on the same day, The Jewelers Circle’s Press Review for the launch of the company’s direct-to-consumer platform, the first international e-retail portal dedicated to vintage and rare jewelry. During the event, it was possible to travel through history discovering stunning jewelry from eras like Victorian, Art Deco, and Retro, observing names such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., and many more.
The day was characterized by great attention to the fundamental theme of sustainability, with a talk on “Redefining Responsibility”, aimed at raising public awareness and inspiring people to broaden their perspective. Held at the Museum of Arts and Design, the discussion examined the concepts of individual welfare during mining processes, as well as evaluating sustainability within the jewelry industry. The talk included conversations with Andrea Hansen, designers Marla Aaron from her eponymous brand, and Zulaikha Aziz from Mazhari.
Later that day, Angely Martinez, award-winning jewelry designer & metalsmith, owner of Angely Martinez Jewelry, hosted an event to show her collection archives and most recent pieces, including a capsule collection of three rings that she designed and crafted specifically to celebrate the event.
On Wednesday, November 15, the MK Luxury Group’s newest jewelry collections, “Coveted” featuring natural diamonds, and “Chemistry” featuring lab-grown diamonds, were on the preview for selected guests at an event hosted by the International Gemological Institute (IGI). It was inspiring to meet IGI gemologists during this exclusive event and have the opportunity to delve into the world of natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and gem identification, to discover how jewelry is appraised.
Laura Inghirami also visited the fine jewelry Atelier of Briony Raymond, specialized in timeless creations and exquisite estate jewelry, having the opportunity to meet the inspiring creative mind behind the brand, Briony Raymond. Laura Inghirami examined the beautiful diamond anklet worn by Rihanna during the 95th Oscars 2023 back in March, the Oversized Antique Paste Chandeliers earrings from the 18th century made in sterling silver from the Estate Collection, and the Emerald Cut Diamond Solitaire Regent Ring, as well as the Old Euro Diamond Sloan Solitaire, a bespoke diamond ring featuring an antique cut round diamond bezel set in 18k gold, and the Sapphire & Diamond Oval Cut Ring, that included an oval sapphire and round brilliant diamonds in 18k gold, from the new collections.
Carissa Hussong and Alicia George hosted a fascinating exhibition on the history of the Metal Museum through jewelry on Thursday, November 16. The collection on display, spanning from mid-century to contemporary fine art jewelry, marked crucial points and significant events in the Museum’s chronicles while also influencing its future direction.
On Friday, November 17, The Strong & Precious Art Foundation, aimed at supporting Ukrainian jewelers, introduced the exhibition “How Precious UA”. The show focused on six jewels, which were carefully designed to symbolize the current issues of Ukraine, combining traditional heritage with a modern style. Melanie Grant, esteemed journalist and Executive Director at The Responsible Jewellery Council joined the event for an interesting conversation.
An exclusive tour inside The Metropolitan Museum of Art entitled “Museum Highlights: An Introduction to The MET Collection”, was held on Thursday, November 16, and Saturday, November 18. Visitors had the opportunity to see artworks highlighting the vast collections of the MET, with pieces from more than 5,000 years ago, focusing in on jewelry, metalworks, and adornments.
From Tuesday, November 14, to Sunday, November 19, Jim Kempner Fine Art celebrated artistic expression and dialogue in partnership with NYCJW. The juxtaposition of jewels with paintings, sculptures, and papers, was really fun! In addition, the jewelry of artists Stephanie Dubsky, Heidi Abrahamson, Rocío Inès Marsyas, and Jay Kelly was exhibited, in dialogue with artworks from renowned modern and contemporary artists such as Ed Ruscha, Wayne Thiebaud, Louise Nevelson, Louise Bourgeois, and Robert Rauschenberg, Picasso, Chris Beane, David Mitchell, and Terry Winters.
The “Co-Adorn Art Jewellery: Box Up!” event, from Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19, explored the transformation of jewelry into something new, highlighting its relationship with boxes. Jewelry is more than just an accessory; it is a true gift, a precious treasure, and a work of art, often hidden within a “white box” (aka an art gallery). The event revealed the hidden stories, emotions, and endless creativity that lay among these magic objects.