Watch: Looking Back on 2022
In the final “My Next Question” of 2022, National Jeweler’s editors discuss the year’s top stories and reveal their predictions for 2023.
On Monday, the publication’s four editors—Michelle Graff, Brecken Branstrator, Ashely Davis, and Lenore Fedow—sat down to talk about the year that was in the jewelry world, including the trends and top stories, and give their predictions for 2023.
Watch their conversation above and see below for a list of links to the stories they discussed.
BIGGEST AND MOST SURPRISING STORIES
Alrosa Lands on US Sanctions List After Russia Invades Ukraine
(For more on this story as it developed throughout the year, please visit this page.)
Signet to Buy Blue Nile in $360M Deal
The Jewelry Industry Remembers Castro: A Complicated, Magical Designer
State of the Colored Stone Market: The Biggest Research Developments of the Past 5 Years
EDITORS’ PICKS
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff
What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Responsible’?
A New Source in Tanzania Is Producing Cobalt-Blue Spinel
Tiffany’s ‘Lock’ Bangle May Be Its Answer to Cartier’s ‘Love’ Bracelet
What Signet’s Blue Nile Acquisition Could Mean for the Jewelry Industry
Senior Editor, Gemstones, Brecken Branstrator
A Tapestry Set with 26K Gemstones Is Making Its US Debut
These Jewels Give Me the Creeps
Senior Editor, Fashion, Ashley Davis
‘Ice Cold’ Is a Visual Love Letter to Jewelry’s Role in Hip-Hop
In ‘The Radiance,’ 13 Talented Designers Offer Distinctive Points of View
Associate Editor, News, Lenore Fedow
Remembering My Mom Through Her Jewelry
What I Learned Following the Veins of East Africa’s Mines
The Latest

Jeff Gennette will step down in February 2024, passing the torch to the CEO of another notable retailer.

Artisan Martin Roberts fashioned lunar meteorites into 48 beads to create this out-of-this-world necklace.

As for new members, the organization welcomed Jewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and Parag Jain of Parag Diamonds.

Distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.

Jacob & Co.’s new “Billionaire” timepiece features more than 200 carats of yellow diamonds.


Heidi Horten, wife of department store magnate Helmut Horten, collected jewelry from Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels.

The jewelry industry insurer and solutions provider is celebrating 110 years in business this month.

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

The statement came as the National Retail Federation released its retail sales forecast for 2023.

Sotheby’s will auction the diamond, which it says is “arguably the most significant pink diamond to ever appear at auction,” in June.

The retailer, recently acquired by Signet Jewelers, will lay off 119 employees in July.

The Swiss watchmaker introduced 17 new models at Watches & Wonders Geneva.

As part of the promotion, Smith will share his sales expertise during a 90-minute training session.

At Watches & Wonders, the Swiss brand unveiled a follow-up to last year’s Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante.

The “rêve” collection’s engagement rings and wedding bands are geared toward “sustainability minded customers.”

A new word appears on the dial each day of the week.

Bensons Jewelers closed for good Feb. 24, impacted in part by the decline in foot traffic downtown since the onset of the pandemic.

Kolja Kiofsky has been with the crystal and jewelry company since 2010.

The Kruse GWS Auctions sale will include the replica “Taj Mahal” necklace Elizabeth Taylor made with Avon as well as a costume piece Marilyn Monroe wore.

Massimo Basei is moving up, while Chief Commercial Officer Martino Pessina is stepping down.

AGTA GemFair and the Denver Gem & Mineral Show also will have a presence on the show floor.

Sold by Christie’s Hong Kong, this masterwork of complications now holds the record for most expensive watch ever auctioned online.

The watch company expects first-quarter sales to fall as much as 15 percent due to inflation and tough comps.

Adam O’Grady, general manager of the Lightbox Lab, has taken on the new role and will report directly to Lightbox CEO Antoine Borde.

The watch marketplace gathered data from 1.3 million collectors, highlighting the most popular timepieces and exploring value appreciation.

Burgundy has opted not to exercise its option to buy the mining claims Gibb River Diamonds currently owns.

Patented and specialty cuts now can receive an 8X Proprietary Certificate, which can be customized to include a company’s brand and logo.