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New York, NY—Ritani is expanding its bricks-and-clicks platform beyond its own bridal brand, and has invited selected well-known luxury jewelry designers to sell on its website and through its partner stores. It also has introduced a selection of jewelry created exclusively for Ritani from renowned designers, and in the future will debut pieces from students and graduates of the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The Ritani Designer Collections is a portal that will allow consumers to browse and purchase selected pieces from luxury brands Kara Ross, Erica Courtney, Slane, Mimi So, Omi Prive, Soho, and Hulchi Belluni. The pieces are part of the designers’ own lines, not specifically created for—or exclusive to—Ritani.com. At left: Kara Ross’s Pangea ring ($15,000) with amethyst, diamond, rubellite, and mother-of-pearl in 18k yellow gold is featured on the site.

Each collection has its own unique shopping channel on the Ritani website, giving the designers an opportunity to broaden their reach through Ritani’s innovative ‘clicks and bricks’ e-commerce platform and robust partner retail network of nearly 200 locations across North America.

A spokesperson for Ritani says consumers who shop the Ritani Designer Collections will have the same purchase options for those lines that they do for Ritani’s own jewelry: they can buy entirely online or shop online and pick up their purchase at any of Ritani’s retail partners. Even if the Ritani retail partners do not offer those brands otherwise, the pieces featured on the Ritani site will be supported through those retailers, he said.

Mimi So’s Jackson Diamond Stud earrings ($2,100) in 18k yellow gold feature 0.14 ctw of diamonds.

Separately, in addition to the Designer Collection, Ritani also is launching a special Boutique Designer section of pieces created exclusively for Ritani by well-known jewelry designers. These include Jose Hess, Alison Nagasue, Stephanie Occhipinti, Nghi Nguyen and, coming soon, April Karavani.

Jose Hess’s bezel diamond stacking band in sterling silver ($1,740).

Ritani also announced a new partnership with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Here, FIT alumni will create exclusive designs for Ritani, which will produce the pieces and market them via the Ritani.com platform.

“With this unique project, Ritani has proven itself to be at the forefront of the industry. In terms of design inspiration, they truly understand the need for these new voices to be heard,” said Michael Coan, chair of the Jewelry Design Department at FIT. “With Ritani's exemplary fine jewelry history, exquisite design, superior quality and business acumen, the fit for both is perfectly logical.”

FIT alumni whose designs will be featured by Ritani include Daseul Lee, RJ Tan Bassa, Han Lin, Linda Koh, Ja Yong Shin and Lan Zhang.

“We’re thrilled to launch Ritani Designer Collections with many of the industry’s leading brands, top boutique designers and most distinguished young artists,” said Brian Watkins, president of Ritani. “Bringing together these talented artisans within our fully integrated ‘clicks and bricks’ platform reinforces our vision for the future of the jewelry industry and the broader retail landscape.”