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

The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.


Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.

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

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
























