Picture the thrill of treasure hunting, only to unearth a cache of rare jewels: sunlit yellows, verdant greens, midnight blacks, and soft, blushing pinks — gems that glint like whispers from ages past. And here, striking gold in New York City's elite jewelry scene, stands Boston-born Jonathan Joseph Rosse, a designer whose story is as rich and multi-layered as the stones he crafts. Rosse’s roots lie in philosophy, mined from the hallowed halls of St. John’s College, followed by an exploration of political science at Boston College. But it wasn’t until he immersed himself at the Gemological Institute of America that his true calling crystallized — an obsession with the purity and power of all-natural, colorful diamonds and gems. 

Rosse’s passion digs deep into the bedrock of time, unearthing ancient mysteries only to cast them in a bold, modern glow. In his hands, each gemstone is reborn, carrying whispers of history that shimmer for a new generation of collectors. Launched in 2021, JJR Jewelry isn’t just a showcase of polished gems — it’s a dazzling homage to culture, a study in academic depth, and a luxurious act of rebellion. Each creation tells a tale steeped in early 20th-century Vienna’s artistic daring, the crisp, defiant lines of Art Deco, and the unfiltered beauty of natural landscapes. Rosse’s reverence for philosophy and history subtly courses through every piece, with each facet and angle layered in meaning. These aren’t mere accessories; they’re treasures that bridge the wisdom of the past with the allure of the present

At the heart of JJR Jewelry is the scarab — a golden symbol as ancient as it is alive, embodying rebirth, luck, and a sense of playful mystery. This icon pulses through Rosse’s designs, and with this spirit, his future heirloom creations are layered with meaning, architectural precision, and organic fluidity. Metals and stones meet in unexpected harmony, and every cut, every setting, every polished edge combination is daring yet intentional. Rosse is more than a jeweler; he’s a creator of modern myths. In his hands, jewelry becomes poetry in metal and stone.

Photos courtesy of Paul Wilmot.