While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
3 Books to Check Out in February
This month, National Jeweler recommends three recently released titles that take a deeper look at 21st century business trends.

New York--Ten years ago saw the release of the first iPhone and no one had heard of Airbnb or Uber.
A lot of changes have transpired in a decade and this month, National Jeweler is recommending retailers peruse three titles that provide in-depth analyses of business trends that are distinctly of the 21st century.
To learn more about or buy these books, links are provided to cultural institution Powell’s Books, located in Portland, Oregon, and known as the world’s largest independent bookstore.
1. “Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction”
Derek Thompson
The Atlantic Senior Editor Derek Thompson explores what makes a hit a hit from an economic angle in “Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction,” released this month.
Arguing that no hit song, movie or app becomes successful through luck alone, Thompson explores the circumstances that provide the foundation for something’s popularity today.
“Hit Makers” is 352 pages.
2. “Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations”
Thomas L. Friedman
Feel like changes in technology develop at a breakneck pace these days? In “Thank You for Being Late,” three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas L. Friedman distills the rapid developments of the 21st century into understandable trends.
With an optimist’s point-of-view, Friedman examines recent dramatic changes in technology, the global market and Mother Nature, and how people can utilize positive aspects of these changes to not only work for them, but to protect the future for all.
Released in November, this book is 496 pages.
3. “The Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley are Changing the World”
Brad Stone
Out last month, “The Upstarts” by Brad Stone takes a magnifying glass to Silicon Valley businesses that have disrupted traditional business models.
Stone focuses on the leaders of Uber and Airbnb and what they have in common, plus the tough financial times they’ve had to endure to reach their current successes.
“The Upstarts” is 384 pages.
The Latest

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.


The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

The owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.























