CrimeSep 07, 2023
Amazon’s Antwerp Diamond Heist Series to Debut in October SourcingSep 12, 2023
Rob Bates’ New Murder Mystery Novel Is Out Today
The book, “Slay It With a Diamond," is the third installment in the JCK news director’s mystery series.
Longtime industry writer Rob Bates’ third murder mystery novel is available now.
New York—Longtime industry editor Rob Bates has released a third book in his jewelry mystery fiction series.
The novel, “Slay It With A Diamond,” is the latest addition to Bates’ “Diamond District Mystery Series,” which follows journalist-turned-amateur-sleuth Mimi Rosen.
In the new book, Mimi returns, along with other characters from the first two books, “A Murder is Forever” and “Murder is Not a Girl’s Best Friend,” in an entirely new mystery set in New York City’s 47th Street Diamond District.
In “Slay It With A Diamond,” Mimi’s father, New York City diamond dealer Max Rosen, buys a famous gemstone which is supposedly cursed. He’s not a believer in curses, until the wife of the jeweler who sold him the gem turns up dead.
“My books all examine different aspects of the diamond industry, and this one zeroes in on luxury and the mindset behind it,” said Bates.
“It started with the idea that people will believe that a gemstone is cursed, but they would scoff if you talked about a cursed paper towel. That’s because people perceive gemstones as special and packed with meaning. And that led me to consider why people are so attracted to diamonds and other luxury objects, and the psychological need that they fill.”
Featuring “Succession”-style intrigue, the story sees Mimi and her policeman boyfriend drawn into the dark history of the jeweler’s powerful family. Their investigation leads them to encounter an opulent mansion, long-buried scandals, a bitter family feud, and surprising evidence that the curse may be real.
“I examined many world-renowned jewelry names, and in just about all of them, eventually there was some kind of dispute between heirs,” said Bates. “The stories were generally very sad and unique, but I found some commonalities between them, and they helped inform the story.”
Related stories will be right here …
The novel, “Slay It With A Diamond,” is the latest addition to Bates’ “Diamond District Mystery Series,” which follows journalist-turned-amateur-sleuth Mimi Rosen.
In the new book, Mimi returns, along with other characters from the first two books, “A Murder is Forever” and “Murder is Not a Girl’s Best Friend,” in an entirely new mystery set in New York City’s 47th Street Diamond District.
In “Slay It With A Diamond,” Mimi’s father, New York City diamond dealer Max Rosen, buys a famous gemstone which is supposedly cursed. He’s not a believer in curses, until the wife of the jeweler who sold him the gem turns up dead.
“My books all examine different aspects of the diamond industry, and this one zeroes in on luxury and the mindset behind it,” said Bates.
“It started with the idea that people will believe that a gemstone is cursed, but they would scoff if you talked about a cursed paper towel. That’s because people perceive gemstones as special and packed with meaning. And that led me to consider why people are so attracted to diamonds and other luxury objects, and the psychological need that they fill.”
Featuring “Succession”-style intrigue, the story sees Mimi and her policeman boyfriend drawn into the dark history of the jeweler’s powerful family. Their investigation leads them to encounter an opulent mansion, long-buried scandals, a bitter family feud, and surprising evidence that the curse may be real.
“I examined many world-renowned jewelry names, and in just about all of them, eventually there was some kind of dispute between heirs,” said Bates. “The stories were generally very sad and unique, but I found some commonalities between them, and they helped inform the story.”
The new book, inspired by classic gothic fiction, puts the diamond and jewelry industry under the microscope and tackles the age-old question of why sparkly objects enchant us, said publisher Camel Press.
Bates has written about the diamond industry for almost three decades, winning 12 editorial awards, including the Gem Award for Media Excellence in 2016.
He is also a comedy writer and performer, whose work has appeared on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update segment, Comedy Central’s website, and McSweeney’s.
His new book is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
Events & AwardsAug 26, 2026
Harry Winston Exhibition to Open in ShanghaiIt will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
