It’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.
Feel-Good Friday: Meet a Rescue Dog Named Diamond
And puppies named Emerald, Opal and Tanzanite, who rescuers are trying to bring to the U.S. from a Korean slaughterhouse.
![Meet Diamond, a retriever puppy born into a dog slaughterhouse in South Korea. Jewelry industry members are contributing to fund his, and other dogs and puppies’, medical care, boarding and flight fees to bring them to the U.S. for adoption. 20203131_Diamond.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1d001a68e99eca3d9d89069363be3ec4.jpg)
The jewelry industry loves dogs.
I learned as much at one edition of American Gem Society’s annual Conclave event, when Omi Gems and Omi Prive’s Manos Phoundoulakis brought one of his two beloved rescue pups, a German Shepherd named Boots, to raise awareness about rescues.
Manos and his wife rescued Boots from a Chinese slaughterhouse.
I learned that millions of dogs are consumed in Asia each year, often slaughtered in a painful fashion, stemming from beliefs that torturing the animal tenderizes the meat.
The experience stuck with me.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ASHLEY 〰️ Jewelry Editor (@ashleylikesgems) on Jan 26, 2020 at 10:27am PST
In 2018, my local New York City animal shelter, Animal Haven, posted on Instagram about one of their canine alumni rescued from a meat farm in South Korea, where it is legal to breed and raise dogs for slaughter.
They linked to the dog’s rescuers, two young women in South Korea, Annie Ham and Ivy Yoon, who physically went in to dog meat farms, trying to remove dogs and get them adopted in the U.S. (in Korea, there is a negative stigma surrounding adoption of meat farm dogs).
Following them on social media led me to adopt my own Korean slaughterhouse rescue in 2018, a shy and very loving boy named Sandwich.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ASHLEY 〰️ Jewelry Editor (@ashleylikesgems) on Jan 30, 2020 at 10:25am PST
This month, Ivy and Annie were working on a rescue of 65 dogs from a meat farm when they learned of another slaughterhouse fellow volunteers were trying to shut down in a city called Anseong. There, volunteers witnessed the dogs that died from sickness on the farm being fed to the others.
Annie and Ivy were already desperately searching for funds to pay for vet bills for their 65-dog rescue. I realized this was my time to pay forward what they had done for me, rescuing my fur child from the meat trade.
A week ago, I started a GoFundMe that now goes directly to 501c3 Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, a dog rescue that was created to adopt out Korean meat trade survivors and is funneling every single donated penny to the Anseong dogs.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by ASHLEY 〰️ Jewelry Editor (@ashleylikesgems) on Jan 23, 2020 at 2:05pm PST
With my fundraising promises intact, Annie and Ivy did the impossible, going to the Anseong dog farm and pulling out 16 puppies and dogs. Since then, they have pulled nine more.
These dogs are remarkable in part because they are extremely friendly and trusting of humans, leading volunteers to believe dogs were not slaughtered on-site but sold to other farmers for butchering.
![](/rails/active_storage/blobs/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBZ2dSIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--4955eb5b4a8747e2348c87db7d86dd860e4276c4/20203131_ChiOn.jpg)
Treatment requires up to a couple of months of daily in-patient care at the vet, quarantined from other dogs. While cheaper than this would be in the U.S., this will cost us up to $3,000 per puppy.
With the cost of spaying/neutering, vaccinating, boarding, flight fees and paperwork for each dog to fly to America, and especially the high costs of the sick puppies, we are looking at about a total bill of $25,000. We’re also hoping to rescue more from the farm.
We’re still naming all of the pups, but considering how precious each one is, I thought it only fitting that some be called: Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Opal, Alexandrite, Gemma, Bijou, Gypsy Ring and Goldie.
This friendly, loving bunch is what we call “highly adoptable” in the rescue world, and Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, Southern Nevada Animal Rescue League and a few other organizations have already agreed to facilitate their adoptions (and if you have a particular dog you’re interested in, let me know!).
The one step missing between the meat farm and their forever homes is, sadly, money for vet bills and the other aforementioned costs.
I’ve seen donations roll in from friends, individuals, strangers, and especially jewelry friends, who amaze me with their generosity.
I humbly ask that you share these dogs’ stories with your communities, repost their stories on your social media accounts, and, only if you’re able, donate to the GoFundMe or directly to Retriever Rescue, specifying your donation is for the Anseong dogs.
Let’s bring these gems home.
The Latest
![These “Double Loop” earrings feature a drop-cut amethyst sitting atop the lower hoop, totaling 1.60 carats between both earrings. The hoops are made of silver covered in “pistacchio” colored enamel, while 9-karat yellow gold holds the stones in place and connect the two hoops behind the earlobe ($1,770). Bea Bongiasca’s Double Loop Earrings](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/f338ef6b4603be3c97765f833b831ca0.jpg)
Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America
![Untitled design.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/583fbcb2bb839782810080debef35d3c.jpg)
As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
![Earlier this month, online giant Amazon and the Better Business Bureau filed a joint federal lawsuit against ReviewServiceUSA.com for allegedly selling fake reviews, both positive and negative. Amazon package outside door](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/27fce4225a38900d54a5536ce523a22d.jpg)
They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
![](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/99a46b30cc354962ac2e29ecd113587a.jpg)
![A shot of the Venetia diamond mine in South Africa, owned by De Beers Group. The diamond miner and marketer saw revenue drop 21 percent and rough diamond sales decline 20 percent in a “weak” market for diamonds. De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a1f16ceaaba662e80385166060d192a7.jpg)
Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
![1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9d60901b44425a53b9010301897a3bbc.jpg)
GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
![A malachite and diamond bracelet from Pomellato’s “Pom Pom Dot” collection, launched earlier this year. Pomellato and Boucheron were bright spots for Kering in an otherwise underwhelming first half of the year. Pomellato Malachite Pom Pom Dot bracelet](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3c237b62e009742fc52487097daf3c5a.jpg)
The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
![Volunteers and Shane Co.’s corporate team from all 22 locations of the family-owned jewelry chain have begun packing backpacks with school supplies for teachers to distribute to their students this school year. Shane Co. and the Kids in Need foundation logo](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1c5abfb36ec775724f014f47bfbb47fc.jpg)
The fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
![A shot from the advertising campaign for LVMH-owned Bulgari’s “Eden the Garden of Wonders” high jewelry collection. LVMH’s jewelry and watch sales slipped in the first half of the fiscal year. Bulgari high jewelry campaign](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c24eb75ca8cea44d2e9859648f4a98ee.jpg)
Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
![Chaumet, a Parisian jeweler owned by LVMH, has designed the Olympic and Paralympic Games medals. Chaumet Paris 2024 Olympics medals](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/7831b3a738baddfc7d783e6df0fbf796.jpg)
The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
![The acquisition of Union Life & Casualty by Jewelers Mutual will help strengthen both the pawn market and the insurance industry, said JM. Jewelers Mutual and Union Life and Casualty logos](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/195925667226ecfc51b4e1bb09607143.jpg)
Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
![The winner of this year’s Lonia Tate scholarship, Bradlei Smith will receive the opportunity to earn her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA and, following graduation, an internship at Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle. Bradlei Smith](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/996834935ae30a7a1195db8b9db6cb7d.jpg)
Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
![Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com. National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/bec7295a7f478778b1c196e6d81e7cd9.jpg)
In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
![De Beers Group mined 6.4 million carats of diamonds in the second quarter of 2024, down from 7.6 million in the same period last year. (©De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films) De Beers rough diamond display](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/80cd02b1c8384f4b2efda0bcdf6a75e1.jpg)
The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
![In honor of its summer bridal event, Long’s Jewelers is partnering with Wequassett Resort and Golf Club on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and jewelry brand JB Star on a vacation giveaway. Long’s Jewelers giveaway promo](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/4e7a90944c4e8875a4f3818dbe26b28b.jpg)
The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
![L.A.-based flower designer, Sophia Moreno-Bunge models Guzema’s “Hidden Beauty” collection in front of a garden in Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica, California. Sophia Moreno-Bunge of Isa Isa modeling Guzema’s Hidden Beauty collection](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6f3822623eb7fd2f6468f82825194cb1.jpg)
The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
![The Entrepreneurship Grants program supports winners with financial aid to scale their businesses and increase their societal impact, said Diamonds Do Good. Pictured here are three of the 13 winners, top right is Tresia Shituula, and bottom row left to right, are Monkgogi Moshaga and Mohamed Samu. Tresia Shituula, Monkgogi Moshaga, Mohamed Samu](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a7c9b87301b76a9446f6522747ce5b95.jpg)
The grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
![Ghazi Osta, better known as Gus, was the owner and president of Volusia Gold & Diamond, a store he and his wife, Leigh Osta, opened in 1986. He was shot and killed inside the store Friday afternoon after a brief argument with a regular customer. (Photo courtesy of Volusia Gold & Diamond Facebook page) Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c8c1fa3df746cbd364915a98dcac9d21.jpg)
Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
![Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez (left) is the Responsible Jewellery Council’s new head of North American development, and Effie Marinos is its new specialist advisor for technical standards. Elyssa Jenkins-Perez and Effie Marinos](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/94332af0c7a776e7a8c36fabf76baa5f.jpg)
The organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
![Karen Rentmeesters, who joined the Antwerp World Diamond Centre in 2010, will take on the role of CEO. Karen Rentmeesters](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3256fcc71cd43a399055c61f68486269.jpg)
Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
![Longtime Washington, D.C., jeweler Brian Mann (right) with his wife Jessie Mann, an artist who custom-paints porcelain Limoges Boxes, at a 2016 Jewelers of America member event. Mann, the longtime co-owner of David Mann Jewelers, died June 21 at age 70. Brian and Jessie Mann](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/be4debc6e0b3198943a66ef0e2197c2c.jpg)
Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
![The 1916 Company recently opened a new Tudor boutique in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Tudor store in Denver](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9f8600ea53ed731963331ebd28a10d16.jpg)
The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
![This necklace from Messika’s “So Move Max” set is made of yellow gold with 19.18-carats of brilliant-cut diamonds and designed with circle motifs that move within the links (price upon request). Messika’s So Move Max Necklace](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/14c78af4a4e8c6b996a81bbb5a5bc69f.jpg)
Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
![On Sept. 1, Julien Tornare (left), current CEO of TAG Heuer, will become CEO of Hublot. Antoine Pin, now the general manager of Bulgari’s watch business, will take over Tornare’s role as CEO of TAG Heuer. (Images courtesy of LinkedIn) Julien Tornare and Antoine Pin](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/b24627b34ece895ddd254bae22751fb8.jpg)
Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
![A rendering of a billboard from Etsy’s new campaign. The campaign is designed to highlight the platform’s creators and how their products are made. Etsy billboard rendering in NYC](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9a94f394f326b90dc1c9da6a711c5e09.jpg)
Sellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.