This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Survey: Retailers expect diamonds to remain hot
The greatest percentage of retailers surveyed in National Jeweler’s recent poll said they expect diamond fashion jewelry to be their best-selling category this holiday season.

New York--The greatest percentage of retailers surveyed in National Jeweler’s recent poll said they expect diamond fashion jewelry to be their best-selling category this holiday season.
A total of 327 retailers took the survey, which was launched Thursday and closed Monday.
Of those surveyed, 36 percent said diamond fashion jewelry--stud earrings, pendants, etc.--would top their sales this Christmas. This is similar to what jewelers interviewed by National Jeweler on a week-to-week basis say; sales of diamond studs and pendants are brisk in a number of stores across the country.
Following diamond fashion pieces in terms of anticipated popularity are silver jewelry (16 percent) and bridal (13 percent).
Colored gemstone jewelry was next at 10 percent followed by custom jewelry (8 percent), beads, such as brands Pandora and Trollbeads (5 percent) and watches (4 percent).
Interestingly, all four of these categories ranked ahead of gold, cited by 3 percent of survey-takers, in terms of anticipated popularity. This is despite the drop in the metal’s per-ounce price and the interest in yellow and rose gold fashion pieces, as seen in current trends and also as reported by retailers.
Six percent of those surveyed marked “other,” writing in answers including estate jewelry and cufflinks while some jewelers cited specific brands: Alex and Ani and the “Rhythm of Love,” a line of diamond jewelry where the mounted stone vibrates inside its halo mounting, highlighting its brilliance.
The next National Jeweler holiday poll, set to deploy Tuesday, will focus on silver jewelry.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller