Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
Want (what might be) Penelope Cruz’s ring?
Rumors have been swirling for the past few weeks that Penelope Cruz and boyfriend Javier Bardem are engaged. The notoriously private couple has yet to confirm anything, but one jewelry company is already offering a replica of what is supposedly...
Rumors have been swirling for the past few weeks that Penelope Cruz and boyfriend Javier Bardem are engaged. The notoriously private couple has yet to confirm anything, but one jewelry company is already offering a replica of what is supposedly Cruz's engagement ring.
The Nine actress has been spotted out and about sporting on her left ring finger what seems to be a large sapphire surrounded by small diamonds, and now The Natural Sapphire Co. is offering up its own take (rendering seen above and below).
Up for grabs, at the price of $11,500, is a 2.58-carat natural blue sapphire circled with a halo of colorless diamonds.
It's a gorgeous ring, and I love the idea of brides doing something different and diverging from the diamond. I'm not so sure, though, that I'd love to look down at my engagement ring and think, “Penelope Cruz has the same one,” no matter that I think she's a dynamo on the big screen.
Perhaps it's just the "replica" wording that has me uneasy. But one cool thing that The Natural Sapphire Co. does is make any design changes or customizations via computer renderings before the piece is cast. That has me resting easier, and I think they've gone a smart route: bringing attention to their company (or to colored stones in general) via an event currently in the news, but allowing customers to make the piece their own.
What do you think? Would customers go for it?
The Latest

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.


The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.

The former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
























