Mildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Minimum Wage Going Up in 18 States
The increases range from 35 cents to $1 per hour and are the result of legislation, ballot measures or adjusting for inflation.
New York--Effective Jan. 1, a total of 18 states increased their minimum wage as the result of legislation, ballot measures or to adjust for inflation.
According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the states increasing the minimum wage due to legislation or a ballot measure passed by voters are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
The other seven states increased minimum wage to keep pace with inflation. They are: Alaska, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, New Jersey and South Dakota.
The increases range from 35 cents (Michigan) to $1 (Maine).
A listing of the new minimum wage in each state along with the amount of the increase that brought it to that level is available on the EPI’s website.
Nineteen cities and one county also increased their minimum wage, effective Jan. 1.
They are: Flagstaff, Arizona; Cupertino, El Cerrito, Los Altos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Oakland, Palo Alto, Richmond, San Jose, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, California; Minneapolis; Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico; New York City; and SeaTac, Seattle and Tacoma, Washington.
In addition to these cities and states, the National Employment Law Project (NELP) reports that minimum wage increases are on tap for three more states and a total of 18 additional cities and counties later this year.
Meanwhile, minimum wage increase campaigns are underway in at least 17 more cities and states, some of which already have raised the base hourly pay as of Jan 1.
According to NELP, they are: Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as the cities of Redwood, California; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Washington, D.C.
The Latest

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.

The “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

It’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.


The show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.

Smith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

Former Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.

The 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.

A Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.

The new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.

The collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.

Organizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.

Woodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.

A WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.

The founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.

Submissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.

Valeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.

The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.

Jewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.

The graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.

The event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.

The yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.

The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.

The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”

The open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
























