The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Police nab suspect who left cell phone behind
A Minnesota man recently was arrested in connection with a jewelry store robbery after he left behind one vital piece of evidence that led police right to him -- his cell phone.
Minneapolis--A Minnesota man recently was arrested in connection with a jewelry store robbery after he left behind one vital piece of evidence that led police right to him--his cell phone.
According to the Sun Current, the 23-year-old suspect, whose identity is not being released at this time, was arrested on June 16 after the police tracked him down through contacts listed in his phone.
Just three days earlier, police had responded to an alarm at Wixon Jewelers in Minneapolis.
When the officers arrived, they noticed there was damage to the roof as well an open window on the building’s north side, but there was no one in the shop when they were let in, Bloomington Police Cmdr. Jim Ryan told the news website.
Wixon reported that a gold watch and bags of unsorted jewels, which contained links for Rolex watches as well as a diamond ring valued at $10,000 inside, were missing from their office.
However, a white cellphone was found on a desk next to the open window and, since it did not belong to any of the store employees, it was taken as evidence.
Once investigators received a warrant to search the contents of the phone, they discovered the number of a parole officer.
When they contacted the officer, he told them that the suspect connected to the phone was on parole -- he had served 29 months for aggravated first-degree robbery and had eight months of parole remaining--and that he lived with his mother. The parole officer also was able to provide the phone number of the mother, who was listed on the cell phone under “Mom.”
They conducted a search of the residence the suspect shared with his mother and found clothing and gloves that matched those of the perpetrators of the burglary--the man who left his cell phone behind and one other suspect who was at the scene of the crime but has not been arrested.
According to the Sun Current, some of the jewelry stolen from Wixon Jewelers has been recovered after a separate duo, an older man and woman, tried to sell it at a local pawn shop. The pair are cooperating and have not been charged in the case, police said.
The Latest

The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.


The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.

This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

Ara Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.

In the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.

FGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.






















