Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Brilliant Earth Sets Sights on Chicago for Next Showroom
The online jewelry retailer will open its fourth by-appointment-only brick-and-mortar location this fall in the Gold Coast.

Chicago--Online jewelry retailer Brilliant Earth is set to open its fourth by-appointment-only brick-and-mortar location this fall.
The showroom, which will be located on Oak Street in Chicago, gives consumers a place where they can see, touch and try on the jeweler’s diamond engagement rings and wedding rings as well as other fine jewelry and estate pieces.
Unlike the “webrooms” of Blue Nile, visitors to Brilliant Earth’s showrooms can buy any of the rings or jewelry that the company has in stock during their appointment and take it home with them.
The company currently collects sales tax on orders shipped to California, where it is based, and Massachusetts, where it also has a showroom. The opening of this showroom in Chicago means the e-tailer will have to collect sales tax in Illinois, because the e-tailer now has a physical presence, in the state.
Brilliant Earth opened its third showroom--and first on the East Coast--when it launched the Newbury Street location in Boston in January. This joined existing showrooms in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The company said a fifth showroom is planned for the first quarter of 2017, though no additional details have yet been made available about that location.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect a response from Brilliant Earth confirming that they will collect sales tax in Illinois once the store is open.
The Latest

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.


The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

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

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.