Majors

10 Jewelry News Stories You Might Have Missed

MajorsAug 07, 2020

10 Jewelry News Stories You Might Have Missed

Lord & Taylor’s bankruptcy filing, Oscar Heyman’s holiday catalog, a record-setting Rolex auction, and more.

20200805_Brilliant_Earth_Alrosa_header.jpg
A pair of 14-karat rose gold “Bardot” huggie earrings set with light brown diamonds from the new Brilliant Earth x Diamonds That Care collection ($990). Brilliant Earth and Alrosa collaborated on a new collection that gives back to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund.
New York—Last week, Lord & Taylor filed for bankruptcy, Oscar Heyman shared a sneak peek of its holiday catalog, Jewelers of America elected a new board director, and a Rolex set an online watch auction record.

The jewelry industry also said goodbye to Roger Gesswein Jr., the third generation of his family to lead tools and equipment supplier Paul H. Gesswein Co.

He was remembered by loved ones for his dedication to the industry and his generous nature.

Read on for more of the top jewelry news from last week.

1) This Rolex Set a Record for a Watch Sold at an Online Auction
The 18-karat gold Daytona JPS Ref. 6264 garnered $1.5 million in a Sotheby’s single-lot sale.

2) 5 Retail Trends on Our Radar
From offering immersive micro-experiences to fostering safe and comfortable spaces, retailers across industries must keep getting creative to remain relevant to consumers.

3) GIA Will Start Using Artificial Intelligence for Diamond Clarity Grading
The system is currently being tested in New York and Carlsbad, with an industry-wide rollout expected next year.

4) Jewelers of America Board Elects New Director
Robert Marks is president of Rogers Jewelry Co. in Modesto, California.

5) Roger Gesswein Jr., a True Gentleman, Dies at 77
He was the third generation to lead tools and equipment supplier Paul H. Gesswein Co.

6) Amanda’s Style File: Peridot and Spinel
August is heating up, courtesy of some fantastic birthstone jewelry designs.

7) Oscar Heyman’s Holiday 2020 Catalog Is Its Biggest Yet
Though the photoshoot was delayed due to the coronavirus, the catalog will still arrive to jewelry stores in early October.

8) See Jewelry from the Brilliant Earth, Alrosa Collaboration
Ten percent of sales from the jewelry collection will go to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund.

9) On Data: Sales Show Continued Improvement in July
Following a “dismal” April and a “bleak” May, Sherry Smith notes that independent jewelers’ sales have warmed up recently, particularly in this one category.

10) Lord & Taylor Files for Bankruptcy, Seeks New Owner
The department store chain and owner Le Tote join the nearly 40 retailers that have filed for bankruptcy this year.

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Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

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CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap Scheme

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

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SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to Close

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

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Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying Events

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

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CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of Boss

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.

Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
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AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction

The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.

Richard Moore
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

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Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center Stage

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

National Jeweler columnists Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen Z

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

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Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual Conference

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

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TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built Himself

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

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MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEO

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

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CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ Collection

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

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MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is …

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

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Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying Events

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Blue Nile President Pamela Cloud
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue Nile

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Paulo Garcia
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

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Etsy to Lay Off 12% of Workforce

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.

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Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars Pendant

The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.

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CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M Heist

Museum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.

Claire’s new piercing experience
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years

The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.

Brilliant Earth Jane Goodall collection rings
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income Shoppers

The retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.

Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America Book Cover
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry

“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.

Ani Khachian
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-Elect

The Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.

JCPenney storefront
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney Stores

Onyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.

The Roaring Jewel Martini
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K Martini

Solomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.

Benjamin Siegel of Hamilton Jewelers
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers

Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.

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