CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
EditorsJul 09, 2025
The Most-Read Stories of 2025, So Far
Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.
The most popular stories NationalJeweler.com to date in 2025 are, from left to right, an article about De Beers’ new “beacon” program; an engagement ring trends report; a story on the sentencing of the social media star known as “The Timepiece Gentleman;” an article about a diamond dealer who pleaded guilty to diamond swaps; and a story about a large seizure of counterfeit jewelry.
Last week (last Wednesday, to be precise), we reached the halfway point of 2025.
Normally, this is where I would write something like, “I can’t believe we’re already halfway through the year!” but, honestly, 2025 has felt like the longest year on record.
As is customary, this is the point of year at which the National Jeweler editors take a breath, maybe take a vacation, and assess what has resonated with readers.
If you had asked me to guess what our most-read story of 2025 has been so far, sans data, I would have said anything to do with tariffs, including (but not limited to) my initial story explaining how the tariffs could impact jewelry imports; the story about the tariffs being put “on pause” 13 hours after going into effect; or the short-lived trade court ruling on the tariffs.
(Natalie Francisco and Lauren McLemore also did some excellent reporting on the potential impact of higher tariffs on jewelry designers and colored gemstone dealers.)
Or, I might have pointed to one of the excellent submissions from our roster of regular columnists.
There was Sherry Smith’s January lookback at 2024, Emmanuel Raheb’s how-to on Pinterest (which sparked some new ideas internally), and Peter Smith’s recent article on pricing.
But, what does the data say our readers actually liked?
According to Google Analytics, diamond stories and then crime, crime, and more crime.
See below for the rundown of National Jeweler’s top five stories of 2025, so far.
1) De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’
De Beers’ “beacon” programs for marketing and selling as much diamond jewelry as possible were popular back in the day, so it’s no surprise that the announcement of a new “beacon” program attracted so much attention.
Reactions to the idea of emphasizing “off-color” diamonds have been mixed, but I personally like it. Feel free to send us some samples.
2) 5 Engagement Ring Trends Expected to Rule 2025
From chunky bands to vintage diamond cuts and bezel settings, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco’s engagement ring rundown, published in February, proved prescient.
We saw these trends all over the show floors in Las Vegas, including at the booth of one of the U.S.’s biggest jewelry suppliers, Stuller.
3) ‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars
I am not a luxury watch consumer, and I don’t spend a lot of time on social media, so I didn’t know much about “The Timepiece Gentleman.”
Apparently, a lot of other people did, as this story about the ungentlemanly behavior of “The Timepiece Gentleman” (real name: Anthony Farrer) proved popular.
4) NYC Diamond Dealer Pleads Guilty to Lab-Grown Diamond Swaps
It’s no surprise that a story about crime and diamonds did so well.
In February, Manashe Sezanayev, a dealer based in New York City’s Diamond District, pleaded guilty to grand larceny after he defrauded two other merchants by swapping their natural diamonds for lab-grown stones, which (as everyone is well aware) are considerably less valuable.
5) Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry
For some reason, stories about seizures of fake jewelry from brands like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels always attract an unusually high amount of readership.
This story, written by Senior Editor Lenore Fedow in April, was no exception.
Normally, this is where I would write something like, “I can’t believe we’re already halfway through the year!” but, honestly, 2025 has felt like the longest year on record.
As is customary, this is the point of year at which the National Jeweler editors take a breath, maybe take a vacation, and assess what has resonated with readers.
If you had asked me to guess what our most-read story of 2025 has been so far, sans data, I would have said anything to do with tariffs, including (but not limited to) my initial story explaining how the tariffs could impact jewelry imports; the story about the tariffs being put “on pause” 13 hours after going into effect; or the short-lived trade court ruling on the tariffs.
(Natalie Francisco and Lauren McLemore also did some excellent reporting on the potential impact of higher tariffs on jewelry designers and colored gemstone dealers.)
Or, I might have pointed to one of the excellent submissions from our roster of regular columnists.
There was Sherry Smith’s January lookback at 2024, Emmanuel Raheb’s how-to on Pinterest (which sparked some new ideas internally), and Peter Smith’s recent article on pricing.
But, what does the data say our readers actually liked?
According to Google Analytics, diamond stories and then crime, crime, and more crime.
See below for the rundown of National Jeweler’s top five stories of 2025, so far.
1) De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’
De Beers’ “beacon” programs for marketing and selling as much diamond jewelry as possible were popular back in the day, so it’s no surprise that the announcement of a new “beacon” program attracted so much attention.
Reactions to the idea of emphasizing “off-color” diamonds have been mixed, but I personally like it. Feel free to send us some samples.
2) 5 Engagement Ring Trends Expected to Rule 2025
From chunky bands to vintage diamond cuts and bezel settings, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco’s engagement ring rundown, published in February, proved prescient.
We saw these trends all over the show floors in Las Vegas, including at the booth of one of the U.S.’s biggest jewelry suppliers, Stuller.
3) ‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars
I am not a luxury watch consumer, and I don’t spend a lot of time on social media, so I didn’t know much about “The Timepiece Gentleman.”
Apparently, a lot of other people did, as this story about the ungentlemanly behavior of “The Timepiece Gentleman” (real name: Anthony Farrer) proved popular.
4) NYC Diamond Dealer Pleads Guilty to Lab-Grown Diamond Swaps
It’s no surprise that a story about crime and diamonds did so well.
In February, Manashe Sezanayev, a dealer based in New York City’s Diamond District, pleaded guilty to grand larceny after he defrauded two other merchants by swapping their natural diamonds for lab-grown stones, which (as everyone is well aware) are considerably less valuable.
5) Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry
For some reason, stories about seizures of fake jewelry from brands like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef & Arpels always attract an unusually high amount of readership.
This story, written by Senior Editor Lenore Fedow in April, was no exception.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
