Eight masked gunmen robbed a jewelers in New Jersey of around one million dollars worth of items in broad daylight during a 60-second operation. The employees looked on in horror as the robbers smashed nearly a dozen display cases in almost exactly one-minute’s time. Video shows the masked men stuffing bags full of golden necklaces, bracelets and bangles before fleeing the store. One can be seen dialing a number after a few moments, presumably to call the police, while the others look around at the damage. The woman wearing red lay motionless on the ground while glass shards rained down all around her. The store’s Instagram page shows some of their jewelry on display. Over 96 hours later and just more silence from Governor Phil Murphy,’ said Hirsh Singh, a political candidate running for state governor. CCTV showed the robbers running for the escape vehicle, jumping in the back of the car and speeding away. The shocked employees remained motionless for a few moments after the gunmen fled, processing the shock of the smash-and-grab attack. Virani Jewelers, an Indian business with only four retail stores, sells Indian-style antique jewelry, including diamonds, kundan, emerald, ruby, cubic zirconia, pearl and sapphire. Shouting it was time to go, the robbery ended almost as quickly as it began, with straggler gunmen remaining a few moments to scour whatever jewelry they could carry before scarpering. They came in like they owned the store, they’re like, “All right, everybody down,” breaking stuff, filling up their bags, walking away like they had no worries in the world,’ local Misbah Chaudhry told the New York Post. Footage shows the thugs pointing a gun at the employee nearest the door before knocking him off his chair, while another drags a female employee wearing a red dress to the floor. Terrified staff were forced to the ground at gun point during the robbery which happened at around 7:45pm last Friday on Oak Tree Road in Iselin.
If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’.
Belly Chain Silver Sterling
The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. So she decided to make her own. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins.
It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces.