Member Spotlight

Since its founding in 1910, H.L. Gross & Bro. Jewelers in Garden City, NY, has been family focused and dedicated to providing a unique shopping experience that creates lasting memories beyond the beautiful jewelry purchased in their store. There are currently three generations working together: President Michael Gross (4th generation), Vice Presidents Brad & Matt Gross (5th generation), and Treasurer Helene Gross (third generation). We sat down with Brad to discover what sets their business apart, and their number one jewelry shopping tip.

Inspired by architecture and her multi-cultural heritage, Lola Oladunjoye of Lola Fenhirst expertly blends her background and experiences to create her unique collection of fine jewelry. With sustainability at the core of her business, Lola finds that her customer base appreciate products that are not only well-crafted, but also created mindfully. We spoke with the designer to discover her inspiration, design process and her commitment to ethically and sustainably sourced materials.

When we think of bold jewelry laced with roots stemming from exotic travels and experiences, we think of Buddha Mama. Inspired by Buddhism and Eastern traditions, their striking and highly detailed pieces give off infectious positive vibes. We spoke with the brains behind Buddha Mama to learn about their inspiration, the design process, and what's ahead for the growing brand.

Day's Jewelers, family jewelers with jewelry stores throughout Maine and New Hampshire, has been in business for over 100 years. The growing company will be opening its seventh store in Augusta, Maine, later this month. Jeff Corey, Vice President of Marketing at Day's Jewelers, gave us a peek into what sets this jewelry chain apart, the jewelry trends New Englanders want and why Day's so deserves its 2016 “Retailer of the Year" distinction by the Retail Association of Maine.

Julez Bryant's artful and geometric designs are inspired by the natural world around her. Elements of her jewelry are glimpses into cities, landscapes and architectural aspects as seen through the eyes of Julez in her travels and daily life. We spoke with Julez to learn about her design inspiration, upcoming projects she's most excited about, and the future of her growing brand.

Sandy Leong’s feminine, unique handcrafted jewelry is inspired by the natural world, so it’s fitting that supporting the environment is at the core of how she makes and crafts her jewelry. A member of Jewelers of America, Sandy Leong describes herself as a "fully sustainable, fine jeweler" – which translates to using recycled gold and conflict-free gems and working with local artisans in New York and Africa. We meet with the jewelry designer to learn what drives her passion for sustainable jewelry and her design aesthetic.

Each year, Jewelers of America holds a design competition, the CASE Awards, to spotlight and honor the custom design craftsmanship found in the jewelry stores of Jewelers of America members nationwide. The 2016 Award Winners include jewelers from across the nation from New Jersey to California and Indiana to Louisiana.

Just Jules is celebrating 25 years in business. The designer behind the brand, Julie Romanenko, turned her childhood love of jewelry into a popular jewelry brand recognized for vintage designs and beautiful engagement rings. Just Jules has been a member of Jewelers of America since 2006, emphasizing Julie's commitment to high ethical practices. We celebrate Just Jules' 25th anniversary with look at how the company got here.