Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
EditorsJun 05, 2009
Take a picture, it'll last longer
Let me start off this blog post with my general impressions from the Couture and JCK shows in Las Vegas. As you might have read elsewhere, the shows were better than expected, although both were being measured against some pretty...
Let me start off this blog post with my general impressions from the Couture and JCK shows in Las Vegas.
As you might have read elsewhere, the shows were better than expected, although both were being measured against some pretty low expectations, given the state of the worldwide economy.
Still, having an above-average show in this terrible economy is better than meeting, or falling below, already low expectations.
A number of issues came up during the show.
The two that stuck out most in my mind were the power of social networking--the time is now to get on the Facebook, Twitter, etc., bandwagon--and the fact that the industry's memo system is in need of a serious overhaul.
I'll be writing about these topics in future issues of National Jeweler so, for now, I wanted to share with you the outcome of an appointment I previewed in a blog post titled "Are diamonds ready for their close-up?" just before the show.
On Monday (rescheduled from Saturday due to my directionally challenged nature; sorry again Gemory!) I met with the founder and CEO of Newark, Calif.-based Gemory, Erwan Le Roy, and Gemory's head of strategic partnerships, Richard Lucquet.
These are the guys of "Smile, you're on a diamond" fame.
The company's system, called DiamondPure, takes photos that have been uploaded to Gemory.com, shrinks them into microscopic but still-viewable images, and then embeds those images onto a diamond.
The picture is then viewed using GemmaView, a small, telescope-like object developed by Gemory.
As I learned during my visit to the EGL USA booth in Las Vegas on Monday (EGL USA is the lab that grades the photographically-altered diamonds), a video-equipped ring box is included with this special photography package.
It looks like any other "I'm-about-to-open-this-and-propose-hoping-you-won't-reject-me" ring box,
except for the inside of the top lid, where there is a tiny little screen.
Just plug the unsuspecting-looking box into a computer and download 100 megabytes of whatever you like: logos, a video, a picture.
The cost for the photo-embedded diamond (not including the cost of the stone, of course, which has already been bought and paid for by this point), the GemmaView and the box is $2,000, according to the guys from Gemory.
The picture on the diamond idea is, technologically speaking, a very cool concept.
Le Roy and Lucquet said that so far, two stores are offering the Gemory program. And
they have big ambitions for their business.They said they plan to add 30 more retail clients by the end of June, and 250–300 more by the end of the year.
As for how many consumers will actually buy into it, I guess we'll have to wait and see.
More on Editors
The Latest
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
