New York City Jewelry Week is a week every New Yorker should know about. NYCJW came into existence in November 2018, founded by Bella Nyeyman and JB Jones, two prominent members of the global jewelry industry.
Jones not only founded the famous NYCJW, but is also the host of ROUGH CUT, the Number 1 jewelry podcast in the United States, a contemporary jewelry columnist for The Zing Report, and the owner of The Box, a flexible design-focused exhibition space attached to the Jewelry Library in New York City. Neyman is an independent curator and established journalist specializing in contemporary jewelry with publications in The New York Times, American Craft, and Antiques. Outside of journalism, Neyman is the director of the only contemporary gallery in the city and co-founder of Platforma, a contemporary jewelry-focused initiative, that is on display in the US and Europe. After many years of attending Jewelry Weeks in Munich, Germany, Athens, Greece, and Barcelona, Spain, it was time to bring the excitement to the United States, and there is no better place than New York City.
Every November, jewelry lovers gather between Brooklyn and Manhattan to celebrate all creation, collaborations, and the fundamentals of the art and business. Do not worry, the week is available to a global audience, made possible by the events being offered in a hybrid program. Events from the past few years have been uploaded to the official NYC Jewelry Week YouTube page for everyone to enjoy.
For one week, spectators can access exhibitions, lectures, gallery openings/tours, interactive workshops, cocktail hours, museum tours and so much more with all different designers, artists, and individual jewelers. Over 100 events are held to educate and inspire anyone with a connection or love of jewelry.
Each year presents a new theme, for NYCJW’s 5th year, the theme was (ICON)ography: Past, Present, and Future. Voices from all over New York and the world come to share their art, insight, and expression! Most events held are free and can be found on the New York Jewelry Week website or Eventbrite.
I had the pleasure of attending some events this November. Attending the speaker panel at Jewelry’s Love Affair With New York City, I was able to hear incredible stories about some of NYC’s most prominent figures in the industry. The panel featured Amanda Giizzi, director of Public Relations & Events for Jewelers of America, Jennifer Gandia of Greenwich St Jewelers, Lorraine West of Lorraine West Jewelry, Tom Heyman of Oscar Heyman, and more. Listening to experience, advice, and humor made the experience very personable. The crowd being filled with hopeful entrepreneurs, artists, consumers, and more had a great connection. Having a background in bridal and fashion events, jewelry has always played a major part in preparation for the complete look, but I have never had the opportunity to dive into the world of jewelry and the creators of the beautiful pieces. If you missed the opportunity this year, be sure to save the date for November 2024, as Neyman and Jones continue to break boundaries in the industry.
