MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
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
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
