Tag fine jewelry

Aurate launches ‘Laure by Aurate’ in partnership with Helzberg Diamonds, using a unique sister business model to propel brand growth

NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Aurate, the sustainable, high-quality, and luxury jewelry brand, announced today the launch of its new collection, ‘Laure by Aurate,’ made exclusively and in partnership with leading national jewelry retailer Helzberg Diamonds. The launch of ‘Laure by Aurate’ introduces the brand’s first time using a sister brand business model, created by Aurate specifically for Helzberg Diamonds’ audience and consumers. The ‘Laure By Aurate’ collection will be sold in 30 stores and available online exclusively at Helzberg Diamonds starting August 9th.

“With Aurate being the first jewelry brand to use a sister brand model, our partnership with Helzberg Diamonds, a brand that has over a century of experience and industry authority, is a huge next step as we scale our business and continue to democratize fine jewelry,” said Sophie Kahn, CEO and Co-Founder of Aurate. “The ‘Laure by Aurate’ collection was made exclusively for Helzberg Diamonds and will tap a new audience for Aurate, introducing the Midwest customer to our earth-friendly, luxury and quality jewelry pieces. Both Aurate and Helzberg deeply value sustainability in a too-often unsustainable industry, making this partnership that much more meaningful.”

The ‘Laure by Aurate’ collection at Helzberg Diamonds will include over 100 items ranging from $100 – $1,500 including a variety of elevated pieces consisting of rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. Product materials include white, rose, and yellow gold, all of which are sustainably and ethically sourced recycled gold, meaning the material is developed from pre-existing gold material that is refined to remove any impurities and imperfections. Similarly, each diamond, jewel, and gemstone – ranging from emeralds to pearls, sapphires, and more

From Place Vendôme, home to the Ritz and Paris’ most prestigious heritage jewelry houses, to a relaxed apartment showroom in the city’s 17th arrondissement for Héloise et Abelard, her own brand of circular jewelry, Héloise Shapiro has crossed not only her native city, but also a gulf of expectation. “When I left Place Vendôme, I had a visceral desire to do things differently,” she tells me. “I knew that my brand had to use recycled materials, as goldsmiths always have done by saving their waste gold to melt down and reuse.” But better still, it was going to be upcycled.

Today, Shapiro and her team scour the city’s antiques stores, pawn shops and auction rooms for second-hand stones and antique jewelry to be taken apart and re-made into contemporary designs with a fresh, modern look at an accessible price point. Customers can buy a slim gold band for $450, while her distinctive diamond cluster rings start at $1,900, and while recycling precious metals is nothing new – even if the savings are not always passed onto the customer – producing repeat collections from second-hand materials, is. And customers – including Katie Holmes, who was recently seen wearing an upcycled Héloise et Abelard tourmaline and diamond ring – love it.

Named after two 12th century lovers in Paris, Héloise and Abelard’s circular jewelry is surely the ultimate expression of the romance of natural diamonds. The bulk of Shapiro’s clientele is aged 25-35 and shopping for wedding and engagement rings; a customer base she describes as “well-off, thoughtful and informed” and looking for something more original and heartfelt than

Circa Jewels, a leading buyer of preowned fine jewelry, diamonds and luxury watches, has opened in La Jolla for its 22nd location worldwide.

Thuyvi Tran, a graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and former director of Circa’s San Francisco operation, is bringing her knowledge and experience to the new office at 4225 Executive Square. She invites clients to schedule complimentary jewelry evaluations with immediate payment for the items they wish to sell.

Tran addressed several questions about the business:

Q. What is Circa? What is its mission?

A. Circa is the industry leader, buying preowned fine jewelry, diamonds and luxury watches from individuals who wish to sell. We have a global team of highly trained experts and convenient online services to sell from the comfort of home. Circa’s mission since 2000 has been to elevate the selling experience while providing great value and rewarding ways to sell the items our clients no longer wear or want.

Q. What is your experience with Circa?

A. I have been with Circa for over a decade. Prior to joining in 2012 as a senior buyer in New York City, I had over 10 years of experience in the fine jewelry and watch industry. In 2015, I became director of Circa San Francisco and in 2021 I opened our Palo Alto location. Now I’m thrilled to be back in my beautiful hometown of San Diego to launch Circa’s newest addition.

Q. How can clients sell to you? How does it work?

A. Clients can schedule a private in-person appointment or start a free online submission.

Online Jewelry Worth Buying

Buying high quality jewelry online can be overwhelming. You can’t see or feel the pieces, so how do you know if they’re good quality? Thankfully, direct-to-consumer businesses that allow customers to shop for fine jewelry online are on the rise — and they not only save money, but also cut out nebulous middleman practices. With all the companies out there, these are some of the best online jewelry stores for finding budget-friendly pieces that are still stunning.

Related: Things You Should Never Buy at a Thrift Store

Mejuri Jewelry

We love: Diamond Mini Studs ($250), Croissant Dôme Hoops ($78), Layered Opal Necklace ($128)

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Mejuri offers a fine jewelry collection that’s meant to be lived in daily. While the pieces look luxurious and highly crafted, nothing is too precious — or too expensive. The company also sells wedding bands and engagement rings.

Mejuri uses 80% recycled gold in its creations, and even offers an entire line of recycled gold pieces. The price point for the jewelry is generally under $500, short of some diamond jewelry. We dare you to stop at one piece.

Related: The Best and Most Thoughtful Anniversary Gifts for Her

BaubleBar Jewelry

We love: Rima 18K Gold Cuff Bracelet ($72), Sloane 18K Gold Earrings ($58), Solid Gold Ring ($235)

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BaubleBar started as a fashion jewelry line known for its statement earrings; now, the company has moved into selling accessories and items for all ages, including fine jewelry with a price range that doesn’t go above $250. You can find pieces from the brand at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Ulta, and other stores — and there’s even a line just for Target called SugarFix.

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At 28, Layla Kaisi, founder and creative director behind five-year old company Layla Kaisi Collection (LKC), has achieved a level of success many young entrepreneurs dream about. With a focus on ethical stones, storytelling through custom design, and marketing through Instagram, Kaisi has quickly expanded her sales world from beyond her design studio in Auckland, New Zealand.

Originally from Iraq, Kaisi spent her early childhood in Malaysia, moved to New Zealand at 6 years old, and currently resides in New Zealand’s capital city. LKC bills itself as a “design house challenging all notions of fine jewelry, showcasing designs never thought possible, and telling customer stories through bespoke creations” she said during a recent Forbes interview. With no financial backing or formal training, Layla Kaisi Collection grew from a humble start to designing pieces for global celebrities. Here’s how Kaisi built her business, one upcycled or conflict-free stone at a time.

How did you get into jewelry design?

My entry into the jewelry design world was very unconventional. Originally a creative person, I was involved in the Arts and Design field in high school, but upon entering university, I changed paths to study Biological Sciences and Psychology for my degree.

Upon graduation, I found myself completely starved of creativity and could not imagine a life spent writing reports. I handed my degree to my parents and declared ‘now I want to go do something I really love!’. I started the brand fresh out of university with little else but a few hundred dollars, creating the most minimalist designs. I focused on designing pieces that were simple yet had an aesthetic unseen anywhere else.

With no formal training, I built my experience from the ground up designing with