MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
EditorsJul 21, 2009
Less media, more sightholders
So I found out yesterday that we’ve lost two more industry publications. Cygnus Business Media announced Monday it was "suspending" publication of four titles and that, unfortunately, happened to include Modern Jeweler and its high-end sister publication Lustre. My heart...
So I found out yesterday that we’ve lost two more industry publications.
Cygnus Business Media announced Monday it was "suspending" publication of four titles and that, unfortunately, happened to include Modern Jeweler and its high-end sister publication Lustre.
My heart goes out to everybody at Modern and all other industry journalists that have found themselves out of work lately.
In any case, I just wanted to blog a little bit about two interesting bits of industry news that haven't gotten as much press as one might have thought, perhaps because there's less and less of us to report the news.
Last week De Beers announced — in a move even the company acknowledged as “exceptional” — it was adding a Botswana sightholder in the middle of the contract period, Shrenuj Botswana (Pty) Ltd.
The Indian company will be taking over a struggling cutting and polishing factory in the capital city of Gaborone, saving 150 jobs and helping to keep this wonderful country's diamond industry humming.
I'm not exactly clear how swapping one company for another is going to save a diamond factory from extinction in this economy.
I can only speculate that Shrenuj must have a stronger downstream marketing campaign than its predecessor, perhaps targeting a segment of the economy or a part of the world where diamonds actually are selling right now.
This is Shrenuj Botswana's first go-round as a Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) sightholder though its parent company, Shrenuj India Group, has had a sight with the DTC since 1982.
This is an interesting move, for sure.
Earlier this year, as demand reached a near standstill and sights shrunk to microscopic levels, De Beers introduced the idea of siphoning off its extra rough on non-sightholders, causing many to wonder if De Beers would go back to some of the companies it cut in the last realignment.
But they eventually announced that they had abandoned that idea.
A De Beers rep in Botswana said De Beers doesn't anticipate adding any more sightholders, but I guess only time will tell on that one.
In other industry news, there is yet another jewelry industry organization out there, the International Diamond Board, which is essentially the diamond industry's answer to making De Beers’ iconic “A Diamond is Forever,” or something similar, forever.
This organization is supposedly going to bring everybody - the Russians, Australians, Israelis, Indians, Americans, Africans, etc. - together to figure out an advertising campaign that, quite
simply, will make consumers want to buy more than just an engagement ring.
I think it's a cool concept and one that the industry definitely needs.
From a 30-year-old woman's perspective I can tell you that my friends and I don’t spend our money buying real diamond jewelry.
We’ll drop hundreds, even thousands, on designer handbags that are out of style/worn out/we are sick of in two years or cell phones that can do everything but cook dinner.
It truly is a better investment to buy fine jewelry, particularly diamonds, but that's something that needs to be pointed out to people, young women like myself in particular.
So good luck to the International Diamond Board, which I'll call "IDB."
I don't think those initials are taken yet.
I think it's a cool concept and one that the industry definitely needs.
From a 30-year-old woman's perspective I can tell you that my friends and I don’t spend our money buying real diamond jewelry.
We’ll drop hundreds, even thousands, on designer handbags that are out of style/worn out/we are sick of in two years or cell phones that can do everything but cook dinner.
It truly is a better investment to buy fine jewelry, particularly diamonds, but that's something that needs to be pointed out to people, young women like myself in particular.
So good luck to the International Diamond Board, which I'll call "IDB."
I don't think those initials are taken yet.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
