From tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
Thoughts on economy run wild
I don't know what to think of the economy anymore. It goes without saying that as of right now, the world is in the midst of a recession that's comparable to the Great Depression. But just how bad is it?...
I don't know what to think of
the economy anymore.
It goes without saying that
as of right now, the world is in the midst of a recession that's comparable to
the Great Depression.
But just how bad is it? And
how long will it last?
It seems that there have been
some cause for a bit of optimism lately.
While this survey is still
far from optimistic, the latest data from the Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council,
outlined here,
shows that consumers were slightly less pessimistic in February and bought a
little bit more jewelry (probably due to Valentine’s Day).
The latest report from the National Retail Federation, which you can read here, wasn't completely depressing either.
And, as I write this blog, The New York Times has posted this story detailing
how an uptick in housing starts made the Federal Reserve's Open Market
Committee feel a bit warm and fuzzy.
Will the coming of spring
also thaw out our frosty economy? Is a recovery in the early part of the
summer, or a bit later this year, too much to hope for?
Billionaire investment genius Warren Buffett certainly seems to think so.
And the latest unemployment data is a huge cause for
concern.
So, the question remains: Are
things starting to get a little bit better or is the worst yet to come?
If I had the answer, I bet
I'd be almost as wealthy as Warren Buffett.
The Latest

The “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.

The catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”


The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.

Any gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”

The new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

The new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.

The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

The retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.























