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.
Pandora closes 105 ‘unbranded’ stores
The brand said Tuesday when releasing its first quarter financial results that it closed 105 silver, white and travel retail doors in the Americas, almost all of them in the United States.

Copenhagen, Denmark--Pandora has pulled its jewelry from 105 “underperforming, unbranded” stores in the Americas, almost all in the United States, as it continues to focus on opening more company-owned and -operated stores.
In the first quarter, the company closed 71 “silver” retailers, meaning multi-brand retailers carrying a medium-sized assortment of Pandora product and with less in-store branding than gold-level retailers, as well as 34 “white” retailers, which refers to dealers that carry a limited assortment, and travel retail locations.
The closures brought the total number of places in the Americas that are selling Pandora but are not entirely or heavily branded as such to 1,297, down from 1,468 a year ago.
Meanwhile, the number of Pandora-owned and -operated stores has increased from 21 a year ago to 61 today, mainly due to the acquisition of 22 stores that Hannoush Jewelers once owned and operated but were taken over by Pandora.
The Copenhagen-based bead and jewelry brand also now has an e-commerce store in the U.S. that’s independent of its retail partners.
“As part of the continued focus on the branded part of the network, underperforming, unbranded stores are being closed and during the quarter 105 unbranded stores, almost all located in the U.S., were closed in Americas,” Pandora said Tuesday in its interim report for the first quarter.
Sales in the Americas increased 34 percent (13 percent in local currency) year-over-year in the first quarter, including 38 percent growth in the U.S. market (13 percent in local currency). Pandora said demand for its Disney collection of charms and jewelry was strong.
Globally, total sales for Pandora reached $532.8 million in the first quarter 2015, an increase of 37 percent (22 percent in local currency) when compared with the first quarter 2014.
Gross margin rose slightly, from 69.1 percent to 71.1 percent, but net profit was down from $105.8 million to $57.5 million, impacted by additional tax expenses and finance costs.
The company said it plans to open more concept stores worldwide than originally projected this fiscal year--more than 325, up from more than 300.
Pandora also raised its revenue guidance for the fiscal year from more than 14 billion Danish krone ($2.10 billion) to more than 15 billion Danish krone ($2.25 billion).
New CEO Anders Colding Friis, the former tobacco company executive who succeeded Allan Leighton on March 1, said, “Once again, we are off to
The Latest

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

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

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.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

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.

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.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.






















