AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Brought to you by
Preparing for Proposal Season with High-Quality, A.I.-Graded Natural Diamonds
Rare & Forever is helping to create an enjoyable diamond buying experience for the millions of newly-engaged couples.
Brought To You By Rare & Forever Diamonds
Written By Chris Croteau of Rare & Forever Diamonds
It’s proposal season for the more than 2.5 million couples that are projected to tie the knot this year, the most since 1984. When shopping for an engagement ring, they expect to see a beautiful diamond to celebrate their love.
It’s proposal season for the more than 2.5 million couples that are projected to tie the knot this year, the most since 1984. When shopping for an engagement ring, they expect to see a beautiful diamond to celebrate their love.
“As a fourth-generation jeweler, my priorities are to earn customers’ trust and provide them with beautiful diamonds they can feel good about buying,” said Larry Sanders, Registered Jeweler American Gem Society, IJO Master Jeweler, and President and CEO of Sanders Jewelers.
“The diamonds we offer are a reflection of who we are. We want to be proud of their quality and have a better standard to help customers understand what they are buying.”
While diamond grading, the process of evaluating a diamond and determining its value based on its cut, clarity, color and carat weight, has long been the standard in diamond buying, it’s often wrought with inconsistencies and inaccuracies. It’s because traditional diamond grading is based on human opinion and no two humans are exactly alike. The inherent inconsistencies make it difficult for customers to understand grading reports and challenging for jewelers to earn their trust.
Rare & Forever eliminates the stress from diamond buying, creating a more enjoyable shopping experience. Unlike 99 percent of diamonds that are graded based on human opinion, Rare & Forever diamonds are prescreened for imperfections—like Brown, Green and Milky (BGM) hues that devalue a diamond and detract from its sparkle—and graded with unbiased artificial intelligence (A.I.) technology for greater accuracy and consistency.
“Rare & Forever enables us to offer our customers the best quality diamonds—a difference they can see—and garners the trust they need to feel comfortable and confident in their selection,” says Sanders. “Seeing that a diamond is graded with A.I. technology puts their minds at ease and makes the buying process far easier to understand.”
Rare & Forever diamonds are only offered through authorized Rare & Forever jewelers, local family jewelers customers know and trust. Shoppers can view Rare & Forever diamonds in person or via a virtual visit, receive expert advice and establish a relationship for future jewelry purchases, repairs and cleanings.
Rare & Forever diamonds offer an Upgrade for Life Program that guarantees buyers the value of their purchase and facilitates upgrades. Purchases also come with the satisfaction of knowing Rare & Forever is a proud supporter of Diamonds Do Good, a global non-profit organization supporting programs that develop and empower people in natural diamond communities, and C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association, a local organization that provides emotional, educational, social, and financial assistance to families with children who have cancer or a blood disorder.
For more information on becoming an authorized Rare & Forever jeweler, see https://become.rareandforever.com/learn-more/.
Or visit us at JCK Las Vegas Booth #10075.
Or visit us at JCK Las Vegas Booth #10075.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Grading
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
