This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
What You Might Have Missed
Here are the top five stories published on NationalJeweler.com for the week of March 6 to 12, according to Google Analytics.

New York--Here are the top five stories published on NationalJeweler.com last week, according to Google Analytics.
1. Column: The Disconnect Between Customer and Jeweler
Retailer Jim Alperin wrote that consumers today think they are giving small retail jewelers business when they ask them to size the ring they got on the Internet. But this isn’t type of business jewelers want to be doing.
2. Unique Settings Sued for Allegedly Failing to Pay Overtime
The Queens, N.Y.-based jewelry manufacturer is facing a collective action lawsuit in federal court in Brooklyn over allegations it failed to pay employees for time worked over 40 hours a week.
3. 3 Consumers Share Their Jewelry Shopping Habits
At the WJA In the Know conference last Thursday, Ben Smithee moderated a panel of consumers who discussed everything from where they buy jewelry to how they feel about lab-grown diamonds.
4. Customers’ Smartphones and High Expectations
An article published last week by The Washington Post about how bars are dealing with the deluge of requests to charge patrons’ smartphones brings up the larger question of, when is it OK to say “no” to a customer?
5. Jeweler Shoots, Kills Robbery Suspect
The owner of Leilani’s Jewelers in Torrance, Calif. shot and killed a man who allegedly was trying to rob his store last week, police said.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.