SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to NetflixSourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series
“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
Rob Bate’s latest fictional novel is both a standalone mystery and the fourth and final book continuing the story of main character Mimi Rosen. It is set to release on Aug. 12.
New York—Rob Bates, journalist and news director of JCK, has announced his latest book titled “Making a Killing in Diamonds” that is set to launch in August.
The mystery is the fourth and final installment in his “Diamond District Mystery” series.
The fictional story is set on Manhattan’s 47th Street, as the murder of a lab-grown diamond CEO sends shockwaves through the industry, illuminating the high-stakes conflicts, ethical complexities, and generational tensions facing the trade today.
The 252-page novel explores themes that are relevant to both the jewelry trade and larger luxury industry.
In the book, Bates explores questions like “What happens when disruption collides with heritage? When innovation threatens not just profit but identity? When ‘ethical’ becomes a marketing buzzword instead of a moral commitment? And when technology allows us to replicate beauty, do we lose, or redefine, what makes something precious?”
The main character is Mimi Rosen, a journalist-turned-amateur-sleuth, who now works for her father’s diamond business and is once again drawn into a mystery as a scientist disappears and a lab-grown diamond CEO is murdered.
Throughout the story, Rosen finds herself stuck between two worlds, the old school diamond dealers of 47th Street that are bound by family, tradition, and silent codes of loyalty and the new frontier of lab-grown gemstones where startups are backed by venture capitalists promising disruption, transparency, and sustainability.
While investigating the murder, she is confronted with truth about the industry’s resistance to change, how it’s become more difficult to define what is “real,” and the blurred ethical lines that define what is valued in luxury.
“Lab-grown diamonds have been the biggest story in the industry for the past few years, and I knew I had to tackle it head-on in the novels,” said Bates who looked to the ethical and emotional dimensions of what we consider to be “real.”
“I first started working on this book around the time ChatGPT premiered. Everyone was really freaked out. At first, I was just going to focus on the diamonds industry, but the debate over artificial intelligence caused me to reflect on larger questions about disruption, technology, and how we define the term ‘real.’”
With Rosen as the main character of Bate’s story, he explores generational shifts in the way younger consumers approach value, identity, and purpose through the lens of this character, who was named after his mother.
Theses shifts, reflected in the real-life rise of self-purchasing women, consumers demanding sustainability, and renewed interest in transparency, form the emotional backbone of the series, he said.
Related stories will be right here …
The mystery is the fourth and final installment in his “Diamond District Mystery” series.
The fictional story is set on Manhattan’s 47th Street, as the murder of a lab-grown diamond CEO sends shockwaves through the industry, illuminating the high-stakes conflicts, ethical complexities, and generational tensions facing the trade today.
The 252-page novel explores themes that are relevant to both the jewelry trade and larger luxury industry.
In the book, Bates explores questions like “What happens when disruption collides with heritage? When innovation threatens not just profit but identity? When ‘ethical’ becomes a marketing buzzword instead of a moral commitment? And when technology allows us to replicate beauty, do we lose, or redefine, what makes something precious?”
The main character is Mimi Rosen, a journalist-turned-amateur-sleuth, who now works for her father’s diamond business and is once again drawn into a mystery as a scientist disappears and a lab-grown diamond CEO is murdered.
Throughout the story, Rosen finds herself stuck between two worlds, the old school diamond dealers of 47th Street that are bound by family, tradition, and silent codes of loyalty and the new frontier of lab-grown gemstones where startups are backed by venture capitalists promising disruption, transparency, and sustainability.
While investigating the murder, she is confronted with truth about the industry’s resistance to change, how it’s become more difficult to define what is “real,” and the blurred ethical lines that define what is valued in luxury.
“Lab-grown diamonds have been the biggest story in the industry for the past few years, and I knew I had to tackle it head-on in the novels,” said Bates who looked to the ethical and emotional dimensions of what we consider to be “real.”
“I first started working on this book around the time ChatGPT premiered. Everyone was really freaked out. At first, I was just going to focus on the diamonds industry, but the debate over artificial intelligence caused me to reflect on larger questions about disruption, technology, and how we define the term ‘real.’”
With Rosen as the main character of Bate’s story, he explores generational shifts in the way younger consumers approach value, identity, and purpose through the lens of this character, who was named after his mother.
Theses shifts, reflected in the real-life rise of self-purchasing women, consumers demanding sustainability, and renewed interest in transparency, form the emotional backbone of the series, he said.
Bates is an expert on the diamond business with more than three decades of editorial authority, investigative reporting, and insider knowledge.
As news director of JCK, Bates has covered every major development in the jewelry world over the last thirty years, including blood diamonds, sanctions, and the technical revolutions brought on by lab-grown gemstones.
He brings his characteristic wit and incisive voice to his latest novel on a plotted murder mystery that is grounded in the real, often hidden, dynamics of the gem and jewelry world.
Making a Killing in Diamonds is both a standalone mystery and a continuation of Rosen’s storyline.
Bates has also written “A Murder is Forever,” “Murder is Not a Girl’s Best Friend,” and “Slay It With a Diamond.”
Bates also co-hosts “The Jewelry District” podcast, which features leading voices from the trade.
Making a Killing in Diamonds is set to release on Aug. 12.
It retails for $16.95 and is available for pre-order on Amazon.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
