From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Ritani Launches ‘Virtual Shelf’ Technology for Retailers
It gives independent jewelers immediate digital access to more than 250,000 diamonds and jewels.

Las Vegas—Fine jewelry e-tailer Ritani has launched new technology to expand retailers’ in-store capabilities, debuting the “Virtual Shelf” app and sales tool during Las Vegas market week.
At the Luxury jewelry trade show, the company introduced the sales vehicle, designed to tackle such retail challenges as limited physical inventory and the high costs of managing transactions by providing them with a digital inventory of hundreds of thousands of diamond and jewelry items.
It comes in response to feedback that has come from Ritani’s retail partners and was built hand-in-hand with them to address needs and concerns, the company said.
“Virtual Shelf” takes the form of an iPad app used over the counter during the sales process, complementing a retailer’s existing inventory by making more than 250,000 items available to a store’s shoppers for immediate purchase. It also provides full-service sales processing on Ritani’s end.
Retailers can set their own margins while Ritani handles the back-end transaction for the jeweler, including order fulfillment, credit card processing, fraud risk and returns. The store also immediately sees the transaction in their books when a purchase is made.
Jewelers also can list and sell their own inventory to other program partner retailers, with the ability to set their own cost/list prices and margins to manage inventory flow.
“The development of Virtual Shelf builds on Ritani’s steadfast dedication to helping independent jewelers implement new technologies to accelerate business,” Virtual Shelf General Manager Josh Marion said. “This platform stems from years of working closely with independent retailers and seeking to solve for the critical issues affecting their businesses; we believe it will have a visible and transformative impact.”
By giving retailers digital access to an immediate inventory of diamonds and jewelry, Virtual Shelf is “giving the power back to the retailer,” he said, helping them compete with online companies by offering a large inventory selection and competitive pricing.
The app is jeweler-branded, allowing retailers to use their own logo and business colors, with no mention of Virtual Shelf by Ritani anywhere on it.
There is a $1,500 fee to use the technology, which includes the cost of the iPad, but the fee is waived when a retailer sells a certain amount or purchases a specific amount of product.
Marion told National Jeweler at the Luxury show that the company is open to partnering with independents of all types.
The platform currently is being tested
“While the industry has often been slow to implement new technology, the introduction of Ritani’s Virtual Shelf platform is a game-changer for independent jewelers like Padis and for our customers,” said Alexis Padis, President of Padis Jewelry, one of the retailers currently testing the system in its stores.
“This app dramatically improves the sales process for our team, removes the overhead and headaches of managing the transaction, and gives customers access to more diamonds and jewelry from a centralized, nationwide repository. Plus, we are empowered to better manage our owned inventory and offer it to other jewelers on the platform so we can collectively better serve shoppers around the country.”
For more information, visit VirtualShelf.io.
The Latest

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine


From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.





















