The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
I want to feel good
OK. It's a bit before 7:00 a.m. on a cold late-November morning in New York City. Winter's here too darn early this year. I live on top of a small mountain in extreme western New Jersey, and we've already had...

OK. It's a bit before 7:00 a.m. on a cold late-November morning in New York City. Winter's here too darn early this year. I live on top of a small mountain in extreme western New Jersey, and we've already had a freak snowstorm.
It was incredibly contained, just my town and two others to the east and north. But it dumped a foot of wet snow on trees that still had leaves. The result was a disaster.
It's a rural area with heavy forest. Falling trees knocked out electricity for three days. A large beech in the woods adjacent to our yard split like a toothpick, destroying some of my home-customized picket fencing and taking out two ornamental trees and additional landscaping.
We're looking at more snow this week, with some days barely getting above freezing. And it's only November.
What's worse, I'm checking the market's results for yesterday. The Dow was down another 225 points. And futures are off 150 leading into this morning.
I'm sure everyone out there has heard the wise approach to investing of not reacting to market swings. But this cycle really stinks. They used to talk about swings of 10 percent to 20 percent. But the Dow is off over several months from 14,000 to 8,000. That's huge.
In a world where we all make choices between instant and delayed gratification, many people have got to be questioning all the scrimping and saving. I have to wonder just how many people want to say screw it at this point and spend some money on something to make themselves feel good.
Cold, poor and despondent is no way to go through life. I've got to believe there are many who are thinking about that warm glow that comes from buying jewelry. It may seem counterintuitive, but there could be some upside to the current misery.
The Latest

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.


The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.

Industry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.

The winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.

“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.

It's one of the “Gresham grasshopper” rings English financier Sir Thomas Gresham was known to gift to acquaintances or business associates.

The brand also debuted its new “Zorae” collection featuring a talisman of protection and harmony inspired by a sheaf of wheat.

As Loudr’s new account manager, Johansen will partner with clients to craft and execute marketing strategies.

Designers were recognized in 12 categories, from platinum to pearls, before the evening ended with a new, retail-focused award.

The rare turquoise and diamond jewel was the top lot at Bonhams’ June jewelry sale.

This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.

The deadline to submit is June 16.

The diamond wholesaler is working with the insurance provider to seamlessly offer personal jewelry insurance to RDI retailers’ clients.

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”