Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024
The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
In the latest episode of “My Next Question,” a co-branded webinar series hosted by National Jeweler and Jewelers of America, the National Jeweler editorial team took stock of the highs and lows of 2024.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow, and Associate Editors Lauren McLemore and Natalie Francisco highlighted their favorite stories of the year, the best jewelry to hit the auction blocks, and their favorite jewelry moments, from red carpet looks to fun collaborations.
The editors also shared the biggest news on their beats, including the diamond market, retail, fashion, and colored gemstones, along with their hopes for 2025.
Watch the full discussion in the video above and find the editors’ picks for a few of their favorite stories of 2024 below.
Michelle Graff’s Picks
Q&A: Constance Polamalu on Selling Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds
Single Mine Origin Gold Now Being Distributed in the US
Kaley Cuoco Has a Three-Stone Engagement Ring With a Twist
De Beers, Signet Lean Into Finding ‘The One’ in New Natural Diamond Campaign
Lenore Fedow’s Picks
The End of an Era: John Kennedy Reflects On 32 Years at JSA
Retailer Hall of Fame 2024: Gina Drosos
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed Lemur
Gem Awards Highlight the Power of Retail, Community
Lauren McLemore’s Picks
The Modern Bride’s Approach to Wedding-Day Jewelry
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic Con
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry Sale
703-Carat Tanzanite Sets Guinness World Record
Natalie Francisco’s Top Stories
Bows, Snakes, and Tennis Bracelets: A Guide to What May Be Trending in Vegas
State of Retail: 4 Retail Design Trends for 2024
Alison Lou, Barilla Debut ‘Ring-a-toni’ Pasta Rings
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New Collection
“My Next Question” will return in 2025 with “Predictions for the Year Ahead” on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. EST, co-hosted by Graff and Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte with guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan.
To see past episodes of “My Next Question,” visit the Recorded Webinars page.
The Latest

Chicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.

Owners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.

A 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”


The jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.

The update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.

Each received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.

Catherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

We asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.

Experts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.

Beth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”

Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.

The Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.

The campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.

Rachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.

After the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.

The industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.

The vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.

Former Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.

Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.

The April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.

Bulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.

In a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.

Smith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.





















