The Vibrant Heart of Atlanta: How Brown & Co. Jewelers Masters the Art of Color
In the world of fine jewelry, tradition is a powerful currency. It speaks of heritage, quality, and timeless appeal. Yet, the modern client craves something more: a personal expression, a pop of personality, a story told in vibrant hues. Mastering the delicate dance between classic elegance and contemporary verve is the hallmark of a truly great jeweler. In Atlanta, Brown & Co. Jewelers is leading that charge, anchored by a rich history and a bold new vision for the future of color.
When Sara Beth Brown was named president of Brown & Co. Jewelers in 2022, it was a seamless continuation of a family legacy. Founded by her father, Frank Brown, in 1974, the company has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s luxury landscape for nearly half a century, building a reputation on trust and exquisite craftsmanship. But this new chapter is about more than just stewardship; it’s about evolution. This was powerfully symbolized by the opening of a stunning new flagship store in the heart of Atlanta’s prestigious Buckhead Village, a chic, modern space designed to complement their beloved and thriving original location in Roswell.
This dual presence perfectly encapsulates the Brown & Co. strategy: honor the classics while embracing the new. We spoke with Sara Beth Brown to uncover how the company is navigating the burgeoning demand for colored gemstones, from the foundational “Big Three”—ruby, sapphire, and emerald—to the exciting new designers and styles captivating a new generation of jewelry lovers.
The Unshakeable Pillars: The Enduring Allure of the ‘Big Three’
At the core of Brown & Co.’s identity lies a deep reverence for the titans of the gem world. These are the stones that have captivated royalty, inspired legends, and symbolized the deepest of human emotions for centuries.
Timeless Classics for a Modern Clientele
“We’ve always had a significant business in the core three: emerald, ruby, and sapphire,” Brown explains. “And that has stood the test of time.” This isn’t just about stocking beautiful stones; it’s about understanding their enduring power. The fiery passion of a ruby, the celestial depth of a sapphire, and the verdant, life-affirming glow of an emerald are foundational to their collections.
She notes that while they experiment with trends, the classics remain their bedrock. “Anytime we venture off into doing something more on the modern side, we always revert back to the really traditional pieces, such as the classic three-stone ring. Those do very well for us—from $2,500 to you name it.” These pieces are the bread and butter, the heirlooms-in-waiting that mark life’s most significant milestones—anniversaries, birthdays, and personal triumphs. They are a testament to the idea that true style never fades.
A New Wave of Color Enthusiasm
However, the new Buckhead Village location has opened the door to a fresh perspective and a younger, fashion-forward audience. This clientele, while appreciating the classics, is also hungry for novelty and self-expression. “With our new Buckhead location, we have a little bit of a younger audience that is coming through the doors,” Brown observes. This shift is perfectly aligned with a broader industry trend she witnessed firsthand. “At the jewelry shows in Las Vegas this year, color was everywhere. Everybody wants color.”
This isn’t a subtle request for a hint of blue or green. It’s a demand for bold, joyful, and often unexpected combinations. “Everybody wants that fun rainbow sapphire necklace or the blue sapphire necklace that has fun colors scattered throughout,” she says. It’s a form of “dopamine dressing,” where vibrant accessories provide an instant mood lift and a powerful statement of personal style.
Curating a Spectrum of Style: From Iconic Designers to Bold New Voices
To meet this dual demand for the classic and the contemporary, Brown & Co. has cultivated a masterful collection of designer partners, each bringing a unique voice to the conversation of color.
The David Yurman Phenomenon: Accessible Luxury and Pops of Color
In their Roswell location, one name in particular resonates deeply with clients seeking that perfect splash of color: David Yurman. “In our Roswell location, David Yurman dominates,” Brown states. “When I’m talking about fashion jewelry, Yurman really scratches that itch as far as that pop of color that people want.”
The genius of David Yurman lies in its incredible breadth and accessibility. “The great thing about Yurman is that when they have a core collection, they typically do it in every gemstone with a wide offering of products and price points,” Brown elaborates. While their bestsellers remain the classics like blue topaz, black onyx, and pearl, the brand’s expansive palette allows Brown & Co. to cater to every whim, offering pieces in amethyst, citrine, and more.
This strategy empowers customers. “It’s really fun to show people Yurman’s color designs in both gold and sterling,” says Brown. She paints a picture for a client: “If you want a big chunky style and $15,000 is just not going to do it for you right now, you can get a big chunky Madison Link necklace in silver or a Lexington in silver and then put three amulets on it, whether it’s a fun puffy heart or a malachite disc and get that fun, bold look that everyone’s going for right now.” It’s a democratic approach to luxury, allowing everyone to participate in the trend of bold, layered, and colorful jewelry.
Embracing Design Innovation with Marco Bicego and Emily P. Wheeler
While Yurman anchors their fashion-forward offerings, Brown & Co. is strategically taking what Brown calls “design risks” with newer, more artisanal designers, especially in the fashion-centric Buckhead store. “I think in our new Buckhead location, designers like Emily P. Wheeler, who we’re just buying into, are going to be very successful,” she predicts. Wheeler’s work is known for its architectural lines and playful use of ombré color schemes. “With Emily, we went with the more fun ombré rings, the wide bands, that you see out there. We got those in a couple of different colors.” These are not quiet, retiring pieces; they are conversation starters.
Alongside exciting new voices, they champion established artisans like Marco Bicego, whose Italian craftsmanship brings color to life with warmth and texture. “We stock Marco Bicego and do well with his gemstone pieces,” Brown notes. Walking into a Brown & Co. store is a visual feast, thanks to designers like him. “Right now, we have a beautiful case of product—you walk by it, and it’s a huge pop of color. We have a turquoise set right now that obviously makes an impact.” Bicego’s hand-engraved gold finishes and organic-feeling collections, like the ever-popular Jaipur line, offer a sophisticated, worldly take on colored gemstone jewelry.
Personalization and Self-Expression: The Heart of Modern Jewelry
Ultimately, the modern jewelry client is looking for a piece that feels uniquely theirs. Brown & Co. excels at facilitating this through thoughtful curation and a world-class custom design program.
Beyond the Diamond: Colorful Expressions in Bridal and Stacking Bands
“Our bridal business is strictly diamond,” Brown admits, reflecting a traditional market preference. “We very rarely put a colored gemstone in the center.” But that doesn’t mean color is absent from the celebration of love. Often, it finds its home on the periphery, adding a secret splash of meaning. “If anything, it would be on the sides, like a very classic diamond center with sapphire sides.”
Where color truly shines is in the world of bands. “We do very well with colored gemstone bands that people can either stack with other bands, wear on the right hand, or stack with a bridal set,” she says. These bands allow for endless personalization. One piece, in particular, has become a runaway success: “We have this one eternity band. It’s emerald-cut emeralds bezel-set in yellow gold. I don’t even know how many times we’ve sold it.”
The hierarchy of the “Big Three” is clear in their sales data—sapphires and emeralds lead, with ruby in third place. However, the team at Brown & Co. keeps a close ear to the ground. “Before Vegas, we always send out a questionnaire of what everyone wants us to get, and a few people on our sales team mentioned that they are getting requests for ruby set in yellow gold.” It’s this responsive, client-centric approach that keeps their collections feeling fresh and relevant.
The Power of the Right-Hand Ring and the Magic of Custom Design
When asked about her personal favorite, Brown doesn’t hesitate: “My favorite colored gemstone pieces are the right-hand rings.” She points to one iconic style that remains a perennial bestseller: “We always keep the Princess Diana sapphire ring style in stock, no matter what. That ring will always sell.” That legendary 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds represents more than just royalty; it’s a symbol of bold, unapologetic elegance. “I just love that really chic, classic, simple look of a right-hand colored gemstone ring,” Brown shares.
For clients who want to go a step further, the possibilities are nearly limitless through their custom design work. Brown recounts a recent project that perfectly illustrates this magic. “I just updated a friend’s ring that she inherited from her grandmother. It was a cushion-shape sapphire in the center with two diamond trillions on either side,” she describes. “Very beautiful, but it wasn’t her style.”
The transformation was total. “We changed it by doing bezel settings, and we did it in yellow gold.” They refashioned the piece into a modern toi et moi (“you and me”) style, pairing the original bezel-set sapphire with a new pear-shaped diamond. “Now she has a badass cushion-shape sapphire that she can wear all the time and it’s not this big prong-y, sharp edge, three-stone ring.” It’s a powerful example of how Brown & Co. helps clients honor their history while creating a new legacy that reflects their own identity.
A Kaleidoscopic Holiday: Brown & Co.’s Strategy for a Sparkling Season
Looking ahead to the crucial holiday season, Brown & Co.’s strategy is a microcosm of their entire philosophy: a perfect blend of the traditional and the trendy. The first priority is ensuring a deep and varied assortment of their classic colored gemstone collections, with pieces available at every price point.
But the real excitement lies in a newer, more playful category. “It’s been fun to see our clients buy a ruby and diamond necklace or a sapphire and diamond necklace that’s basically like a gemstone tennis necklace but has a few diamonds scattered throughout,” Brown says. These pieces are versatile and modern, perfect for a new generation of collectors. “People are layering them or even putting pendants on them. It will be interesting to see how that performs this holiday because it’s a little bit newer for us.”
It is this willingness to experiment, backed by a half-century of expertise, that defines the new era of Brown & Co. Jewelers. Under Sara Beth Brown’s leadership, the company stands as a beacon in Atlanta, proving that while the allure of a perfect ruby, sapphire, or emerald is eternal, the ways to wear and love them are as infinite and brilliant as the colors themselves.
