These nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
LVMH, Tiffany & Co. Make It Official
The French luxury titan acquired the iconic American jeweler in a $16.2 billion deal.

Paris—LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton scooped up Tiffany & Co. over the weekend in a deal valued at $16.2 billion, the luxury titan announced Monday.
The acquisition brings the American jeweler under LVMH’s umbrella, adding to stable of high-powered brands that already includes Bulgari, TAG Heuer and Hublot.
LVMH expects the addition of Tiffany to strengthen its position in the jewelry market and bolster its presence in the United States, the company said in a press release about the acquisition.
Rumors of a potential deal began rumbling last month, prompting Tiffany to confirm it had received an unsolicited bid for $120 per share, valuing the company at $14.5 billion.
Tiffany reportedly entered preliminary discussions with LVMH and asked the company to up the bid, which it raised to $130 per share.
The final deal was for $135 per share, or $16.2 billion, one of the largest transactions in LVMH’s history.
Founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, the first Tiffany store opened in downtown Manhattan. The luxury brand slowly built an empire, expanding to more than 300 stores across the globe.
LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault described the retailer as having “an unparalleled heritage and unique position in the global jewelry world.”
Flavio Cereda, an equity analyst at Jeffries, stated in a note prior to the deal announcement that Tiffany’s “brand equity and the strength of the image of its iconic 1837 Blue Box are more valuable than the current financials suggest.”
Cereda said LVMH can leverage these to target the Asian millennial market, which would mean a “rethinking of the current product mix and its U.S. footprint, in our view.”
Tiffany CEO Alessandro Bogliolo noted the company has been striving for “sustainable, long-term growth” and said the acquisition will “provide further support, resources and momentum for those priorities as we evolve toward becoming the next generation luxury jeweler.”
The boards of directors of both companies have approved the transaction. Tiffany’s board recommended its shareholders give it the green light as well.
The deal is expected to close mid-2020 and is subject to approval from Tiffany’s shareholders, regulatory approval, and other customary closing conditions.
Citi and J.P. Morgan serve as financial advisors to LVMH while New York-based law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom serves as legal counsel.
Centerview Partners and Goldman Sachs are Tiffany’s financial advisors and New York-based law firm Sullivan & Cromwell serves as legal counsel.
The Latest

The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.

GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.

With over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.

The “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.


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.

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

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

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

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.

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.





















