TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2016
3 Observations from Opening Day at Baselworld
New technology is on display alongside one very old tradition, watch-making, at Baselworld 2016, which kicked off Thursday in Switzerland.
Two of the new watches brands are unveiling at Baselworld; on the left, the limited edition Superocean Heritage Chronoworks with 100-hour power reserve from Breitling ($39,295) and the 38 mm women’s Canfield from Shinola ($650 to $900).
Basel--New technology is on display alongside one very old tradition, watch-making, at Baselworld 2016, which kicked off Thursday in Switzerland.
Here are five observations we made after roaming the halls on the first day of the show.
1) New technologies are playing a bigger role at Baselworld this year.
There’s platinum jewelry made using 3-D printing at the booth of German company Heimerle + Meule, while a 5-carat lab-grown blue diamond--the biggest synthetic blue the GIA’s ever seen--was feted at a press conference Thursday. There are also plenty of smartwatches and other wearables on display from brands including Breitling, Movado and TAG Heuer.
2) The global economic outlook is “gloomy.”
Baselworld Managing Director Sylvie Ritter described the global economic climate as “gloomy” at the pre-show press conference held Wednesday and the outlook for watches remains challenging between the slowdown in China/Hong Kong and the strength of the Swiss franc.
Swiss watch exports fell 3 percent in value terms in 2015, according to statistics released earlier this year by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, though exports to the world’s second largest market for Swiss watches, the United States, was down less than 1 percent.
The decline marked the first drop in Swiss watch exports since 2009, albeit figures from the last two years signaled that a slowdown was ahead--they rose only 2 percent in both 2013 and 2014 before dropping last year.
3) But established brands as well as brands with a story to tell continue to do well.
Breitling introduced its version of a smartwatch at the show, the Exospace B55 Connected. While the watch does have a small window for smartphone notifications right below 12 o’clock, it is not too much of a departure from the brand’s traditional pilot watch.
In addition, Breitling didn’t allow development of a smartwatch too take away from the time it put into its mechanical movements. The brand’s new Super Ocean Heritage Chronoworks, a chronograph powered by an optimized version of the BC01 that has a 100-hour power reserve.
Created in a limited edition of 100, the 46 mm chronograph is Breitling’s first watch with a 100-hour power reserve and retails for $39,295.
Also at the show, Shinola, the Detroit-based maker of watches and leather goods, introduced the Canfield.
Named after the neighborhood where its Detroit store is located, the Canfield is the brand’s first watch where the
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
movement is top-loaded instead of being installed through the back, allowing the face to have a more open look.
The 38 mm women’s model retails for $650 to $900 while the men’s is 43 mm and sells for $650 to $1,050.
Baselworld continues through March 24. National Jeweler will be providing live updates throughout the show.
The 38 mm women’s model retails for $650 to $900 while the men’s is 43 mm and sells for $650 to $1,050.
Baselworld continues through March 24. National Jeweler will be providing live updates throughout the show.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
