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.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsJul 26, 2024
Diamonds Direct Opens Store in AtlantaIt’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.
TrendsJul 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Double Loop’ EarringsCommemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
EditorsJul 26, 2024
Out & About: A Dispatch from the Nation’s Smallest StateEditor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
Brought to you by
The End of an Era? Lab-Grown Diamonds' Journey Towards Price StabilityAs the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
Supplier BulletinJul 25, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionSponsored by Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizJul 25, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJul 25, 2024
Amazon, BBB Sue Website Allegedly Peddling Fake Reviews They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
IndependentsJul 25, 2024
Store Designer Ruth Mellergaard DiesA longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionGIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
FinancialsJul 25, 2024
Boucheron, Pomellato Post Double-Digit Growth in Q2 The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
MajorsJul 25, 2024
Shane Co. Partners With Kids In Need Foundation to Donate 7,200 BackpacksThe fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
FinancialsJul 24, 2024
LVMH’s First-Half Jewelry, Watch Sales Dip 5%Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
See Chaumet’s Paris Olympic Medals Inspired by its High JewelryThe Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Jewelers Mutual Acquires Pawnbroker Insurance ProviderUnion Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
MajorsJul 24, 2024
Ben Bridge Announces 2024 Lonia Tate Scholarship WinnerLos Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
ColumnistsJul 23, 2024
Peter Smith: The Case for Optimism in Sales In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
IndependentsJul 23, 2024
Long’s Jewelers Is Giving Away a Luxury Cape Cod VacationThe giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
CollectionsJul 23, 2024
Guzema Debuts ‘Flower Power’ CampaignThe ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
Policies & IssuesJul 23, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces Its 2024 Entrepreneurship Grant WinnersThe grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
CrimeJul 22, 2024
Florida Jeweler Shot, Killed Following Argument With CustomerGhazi 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.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2024
JVC’s Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez Joins RJCThe organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
SourcingJul 22, 2024
AWDC Names Karen Rentmeesters as CEORentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
Longtime D.C. Jeweler Brian Mann Dies at 70Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
IndependentsJul 19, 2024
The 1916 Company Opens New Tudor BoutiqueThe 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
CollectionsJul 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Messika’s ‘So Move Max’ NecklaceDance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
WatchesJul 18, 2024
TAG Heuer, Hublot Will Have New CEOs Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
New Etsy Campaign Prioritizes Creators Amid BacklashSellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.
MajorsJul 18, 2024
Swarovski Names Ariana Grande as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe celebrity will star in Swarovski’s holiday campaign.
