EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2014
Live from JA New York: Diversify the supply chain
Don’t rely on a single manufacturer for any one product, pick suppliers that work with the store’s delivery needs and payment abilities, and check their references. These were just a few of the tips offered at a session on diversifying a store’s supply chain held Monday at the JA New York Winter show.
New York--The heart of Monday’s educational session on why and how retailers should diversify their supply chain can be summed up with one very well-known idiom: don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
To start the session, Matt Tratner, Jewelers of America’s director of membership and sales, gave an example of a giant company that found itself with a very big problem due to a lack of diversity in its supply chain: auto maker Ford.
When the earthquake and resulting tsunami hit Japan in 2011, it left Ford with a severe shortage of cars and trucks in metallic red and black because the company only had one supplier of Xirallic, the pigment used to make this color, and that supplier was in Japan.
“If it can happen to Ford, it can happen to you,” Tratner said. “Don’t put all your eggs in a single basket.”
He said retailers shouldn’t stop at one source and should pull from different manufacturers, working with two or three different suppliers for the same product. While one manufacturer can serve as the main supplier, he said it’s not a bad idea for retailers to send orders to their secondary and tertiary suppliers from time to time, just to stay in touch with them and keep the relationship fresh.
While he said he believes the best place to find new manufacturers is at a trade show, other methods for sourcing new suppliers are referrals, the Internet and trade associations, such as JA, the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association, Platinum Guild International and the Cultured Pearl Association.
Once a retailer has selected a new supplier, or suppliers, they need to assess their abilities, and one area that jewelers need to pay particular attention to today is sourcing.
“Sourcing is becoming a very, very big deal,” Tratner said. This is due to a number of issues, including regulations regarding the origin of certain products--for example, the new federal laws regarding so-called conflict gold--and the growing number of synthetic, or lab-grown diamonds, in the supply pipeline.
He said retailers need to know where their suppliers are sourcing their metals, gemstones or other products from and that those sources are ethical. At JA, for example, they make their recommended suppliers sign a code of ethical practices; other industry organizations have similar requirements.
In addition to ethical sourcing, retailers also need to ensure that a supplier’s
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
turnaround time for delivery and payment terms work with their needs, and check their references.
Tratner said when trying to choose suppliers, it’s not a bad idea to send the same order to all of them and see which one fills it in a manner that’s most suitable to the store.
For a store’s chosen suppliers, he said retailers need to keep a roster handy and make sure their employees know whom the store deals with, so they never tell a customer they can’t obtain certain product because the associate isn’t aware the store has a supplier that carries it.
Tratner’s session on supply chain of diversity was one of three educational sessions held at the JA New York Winter show on Monday, the second day of the two days of education sponsored by JA.
The show concludes Tuesday at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
