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.
J.C. Penney expands into Brooklyn, adds new features
In a sign of continued confidence for the company’s turnaround, J.C. Penney announced Tuesday that it would open its first Brooklyn store ever, revamping the fine jewelry and watch departments while it adds other unique features.
New York--In a sign of continued confidence for the company’s turnaround, J.C. Penney announced Tuesday that it would open its first Brooklyn store ever, revamping the fine jewelry and watch departments while it adds other unique features.
According to the company, the new store will be located in phase two of the New York City borough’s Gateway Center, offering the company’s usual collection of brands as well as design elements and features that will be unique to the Brooklyn location.
The single-level, 124,000-square-foot store location not only expands the company’s footprint in New York City, but also “signifies another milestone in J.C. Penney’s turnaround,” CEO Myron Ullman III said in a company statement, focusing on store growth in high-potential markets.
The exterior of the store incorporates clean lines, large glass panels, red accents and the signature J.C. Penney logo to create a contemporary look. The company has created a store environment that’s “distinctly J.C. Penney, yet uniquely Brooklyn,” including large murals of Brooklyn landmarks, polished concrete floors and sleek finishing touches.
The Brooklyn store will revamp its fine jewelry and watch departments, including a redesigned Modern Bride fine jewelry department using gray tile, special wall coverings, and sleek cases featuring bright LED lights to create a unique shopping experience for diamonds and gemstones, the company said.
The department also will include a new watch experience to make the process of shopping for a timepiece more engaging. The design feature, which also was installed at the newly renovated J.C. Penney in the Bronx, has multiple standalone cases with LED lighting, allowing shoppers to compare and shop watches in a way that hasn’t been available at J.C. Penney previously.
RELATED CONTENT: J.C. Penney closes on $2B in new financing
The company will hold a number of grand opening events in Brooklyn this month, including the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 29.
Many features of the Brooklyn store will be rolled out across other J.C. Penney stores, a company spokesperson told National Jeweler, though an expansion timeline is not yet available. There are currently no plans for additional stores in New York at this time, J.C. Penney said.
The news, along with the recent announcement that the company secured a $2.35 billion credit facility, has suggested some confidence in the turnaround of J.C. Penney as it continues to stabilize with same-store sales and total sales on the rise in recent months.
The Latest

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

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

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

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.

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

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

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.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.























