New Charms Play to Mahjong’s Popularity
To honor the
resurgence of mahjong and the people who love it, Cove Fine Jewelry has
partnered with Bam! Let’s Mahjong, a maker of tiles and other products related
to the game, on a limited-edition charm collection.
The two handcrafted
charms—available in 14k yellow or white gold and set with lab-grown
diamonds—are modeled after tiles in the Bam! Let’s Mahjong Garden Party set.
They come in two sizes: the smaller priced at $3,000, the larger, which has a
lab-grown diamond bail, at $3,600. Customers can purchase the pendants
separately or on a bracelet or necklace.
“We wanted to create
something truly unique that celebrates what mahjong means to so many people,
while also highlighting the creativity and spirit of another inspiring female
founder,” says Cove Fine Jewelry founder Alyson Iarrusso. “I couldn’t be more excited
about the mahjong charms we designed, each inspired by the artistry and detail
of the hand-painted tiles so many seek from the [Bam!] brand.”
Iarrusso says she had
fun collaborating with her friend Lisa Munz, founder of Bam! Let’s Mahjong, as
they sorted through ideas and developed pieces for the mahjong jewelry
collection.
A game of skill and
strategy that originated in 19th-century China (and may have evolved from a
combination of card games and dominos), mahjong was associated in midcentury
America with women of a certain age. But in the 21st century it has soared in
popularity among all ages, including millennials and younger generations like
alpha and Gen Z. Mahjong clubs and events are now popping up everywhere.
Some have attributed
the game’s resurgence to a desire for in-person connection in an age of online
and smartphone fatigue. Others believe it’s because of social media—how-to-play
videos on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube—that mahjong has spread. And many
trace renewed interest to the mahjong scene in 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians (one of
the best scenes in movie history).
“For our community,
mahjong is far more than a game—it’s a ritual of connection, gathering around
the table, and creating memories with the people you love,” Munz says. “Much
like fine jewelry, each tile is thoughtfully designed with the hope that it will
one day be passed down to the next generation.
“This collaboration
brings that sentiment to life in a deeper way, and we can’t wait to see how
these pieces become part of families’ stories for years to come,” she adds.
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