For entrepreneur and jewelry designer Rosena Sammi, a few key plot points have informed the growth of her business, The Jewelry Edit, an online collective of mostly female independent designers. Over the last two years, she has staged a Radical Jewelry Makeover project, which culminated in a selling exhibition hosted by the Jewelry Library this past spring. There have been collaborations (with actress Lindsay Price, Vanity Fair fashion director Nicole Chapoteau, and Priyanka Khanna, author and former fashion features director at Vogue India). There have been important new additions to Sammi’s stable of designers.
The latest event in Sammi’s narrative arc: a fully developed fine jewelry offering that kicks off with a pop-up shop on New York City’s Park Avenue (near 58th Street). Opening Oct. 14 and running through Oct. 29, the event gathers 20 of the most coveted cool-girl brands in the fine jewelry space, including Alice Cicolini, Katey Walker, Silvia Furmanovich, Ten Thousand Things, Studio Renn, Lizzie Mandler, Jennie Kwon, and Pippa Small.
Encompassing more than 150 pieces—with quite a few priced under $1,000—the pop-up represents the end result of Sammi’s trip to Las Vegas in June, where she walked the JCK and Couture shows in the hopes of forging connections with top talent. On her go-see list: “Designers that were unique, not creating based on trends,” says Sammi. “Designers that were creative and bold. No one comes to The Jewelry Edit for something traditional, they are looking for pieces that capture the imagination, that start conversations.”
Rosena Sammi, founder of The Jewelry Edit
There was something about her non-salesy sales pitch—and The Jewelry Edit’s commitment to working with talent that upholds sustainable practices—that made designers such as U.K.-based Pippa Small want to participate in the pop-up concept.
“It seemed a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the ongoing ethical activations we are working on,” says Small. “We’re excited about our amulet necklaces being on show in the pop-up, these are a strong representation of our signature design and really reflect our brand.”
Afghanistan aquamarine double pendant in gold vermeil on cord, $300; Pippa Small
The jewel is handmade by the artisans of the Turquoise Mountain Foundation in Afghanistan, with 100% of the profits from this necklace given to support our partner in Kabul in training young Afghan refugees who fled their homes last summer to escape the violence of the political shift to a Taliban regime.
The pop-up is intended to be an antidote to the often intimidating vibe of some of midtown’s more deluxe jewelry destinations (scary doormen, VIP appointment-only lines, or a setup that doesn’t allow for casual browsing) a block or so away on Fifth Avenue. “We are delivering a more inclusive and accessible luxury shopping experience in the heart of NYC’s luxury shopping district,” says Sammi. And, presumably, proximity to the self-purchasing corporate lawyer or hedge fund manager on her lunch break won’t hurt.
Those midtown shoppers may be particularly keen on The Jewelry Edit pop-up’s permanent bracelet bar, which uses Fairmined gold.
And the next stop on The Jewelry Edit’s trajectory? “Our fine jewelry launch is a wonderful time of exploration and discovery for us,” adds Sammi. “It is a time for us to push the envelope in both design and price. We are on a journey with our customer to see what we can excite them with and where they want to go. The big picture is, like all the jewelry we carry, to maintain our mission of delivering jewelry that is ethically made and tells diverse stories.”
Meanwhile, the jewels up top and below drive home this point to glittering effect.
Black Fish earrings in 18k gold, recycled aluminum, and diamonds, $4,615; Estaa Neel
Crescent bangle 14k gold, $4,185; Lorraine West
Mushroom marquetry earrings in 18k gold and diamonds, $10,890; Silvia Furmanovich
Puffball open ring 18k white gold and diamonds, $10,500; Studio Renn
Baby Vine Tendril ring in 9k rose gold and silver with burgundy red enamel and marquise-cut rock crystal, $675; Bea Bongiasca
Feather earrings in 18k gold, $3,900; Cadar
Heishi bead necklace, $5,200; Jenna Blake
