ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
EditorsMar 27, 2012
Retailers return to Titanic
Count me among the many who will be soaking up all the Titanic lore available over the next couple of weeks as the 100th anniversary of the luxury liner’s fateful maiden voyage approaches. Much about this tragedy-- one of the...
Count me among the many who will be soaking up all the Titanic lore available over the next couple of weeks as the 100th anniversary of the luxury liner’s fateful maiden voyage approaches.
The milestone anniversary of the ship’s sinking on April 15, 1912, however, promises to bring about a fresh round of interest in the famed shipwreck.
National Geographic published a special Titanic issue, one company is offering a chance to view the wreckage in a submersible (price tag: $60,000) and Cameron’s Titanic is being re-released, in 3D of course.
Given the amount of wealth on board the ship, and the amazing jewels that likely went down with it, it’s no surprise that players in the jewelry industry are getting into the 100th anniversary act as well.
In January, Jewelry Television unveiled a “Titanic Jewelry Collection.” Each piece represents a different, famous passenger of the luxury liner and is modeled in that turn-of-the-century style. The flower pendant pictured here, "Dorothy's Broadway Rose," was created for Dorothy Winifred Gibson, an actress and singer who survived the sinking. 
The Knoxville, Tenn.-based network said that the collection sold out in less than an hour. Earlier this month, Jewelry Television added a contest component to the collection offering a grand prize pack worth $5,000.
Jewelry brand Charriol is teaming with Nordstrom and Paramount Pictures to support the release of Titanic 3D.
Just last week, I received similar notification from Jewelry Television competitor QVC, announcing that the company is teaming up with RMS Titanic Inc., the only company permitted to recover objects from the wreck site, on a line of products inspired by recovered artifacts or passengers’ belongings called “Legacy 1912-Titanic.”
The selection includes jewelry, such as this sterling silver diamond filigree cuff (left), modeled after a Titanic passenger’s evening bag that retails for $499. QVC’s Titanic line goes on sale on April 6.
I don’t know what it is exactly about this tragedy that I, and millions of others, find so fascinating.
Was it the opulence of the ship and the Gilded Age passengers that went down with it?
Is it the social injustice of the time that led to a higher percentage
of third-class passengers perishing? Or, is it simply the mystery of not completely knowing what happened?
While an accurate picture of that April night can be pieced together using accounts from those on board (the last living survivor of the wreck died in 2009 at age 97), distress calls and trips to the wreckage, the luxury liner sank long before the age of instant recording and online documentation.
Nobody taped the ship going down on their iPhone and posted the video to YouTube, or provided status updates mid-sinking to Facebook and Twitter.
That leaves room for speculation, and the use of imagination, about what it was like to a passenger aboard Titanic.
While an accurate picture of that April night can be pieced together using accounts from those on board (the last living survivor of the wreck died in 2009 at age 97), distress calls and trips to the wreckage, the luxury liner sank long before the age of instant recording and online documentation.
Nobody taped the ship going down on their iPhone and posted the video to YouTube, or provided status updates mid-sinking to Facebook and Twitter.
That leaves room for speculation, and the use of imagination, about what it was like to a passenger aboard Titanic.
More on Editors
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
