People aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
Rebecca Shukan to Lead DCA Career Readiness Program
The private jeweler has joined the Diamond Council of America as director of the Jewelry Career Readiness Initiative.

New York--The Diamond Council of America has announced the addition of private jeweler Rebecca Shukan as director of the Jewelry Career Readiness Initiative, the program launched in 2014 to interest high school students in a career in jewelry.
Shukan joins the DCA after a decade working as a private jeweler in Los Angeles.
She is a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America and the University of Wisconsin, and has held leadership positions in the Women’s Jewelry Association of Los Angeles, the Junior League of Pasadena and the Pasadena Symphony.
As head of the Jewelry Career Readiness Initiative, or JCRI, Shukan will work on expanding the program to high schools nationwide and exploring partnerships in other areas, including veterans’ groups and women re-entering the workforce.
Commenting on the addition of Shukan, DCA President and CEO Terry Chandler said: “I am ecstatic to welcome Rebecca to Diamond Council of America. The JCRI is poised to fill the educational gap and bring fresh talent to our industry. Rebecca’s experience and drive make her the perfect person to lead DCA’s Jewelry Career Readiness Initiative.”
The DCA developed the JCRI in 2014 to help create qualified job candidates for the retail jewelry industry by using the DCA’s accredited distance education certifications in diamonds, colored gemstones and jewelry sales to supplement the career-readiness programs that exist in most U.S. high schools.
The Diamond Council of America became an affiliate of Jewelers of America earlier this year, relocating its headquarters from Nashville, Tennessee to the JA offices in New York in August.
Shukan will remain based in Los Angeles.
For more information about the JCRI, contact Shukan at rebecca@diamondcouncil.org or 646-658-5809.
The Latest

The Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.

The facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

The four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.


Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.

The relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.

Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.

Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.

SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.

Two metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.

The bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.

The American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.

The “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.

Jewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.

Two special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.

McCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.

Nine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.

Marlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.

The new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.

Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.

Jennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.

The program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.

Hilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.

The stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
























