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 Sees Sales Drop 8% in US
The bead and jewelry brand says the problem is the same-old product in stores.

Copenhagen, Denmark--First quarter sales dropped 8 percent year-over-year in the U.S. market for Pandora, with the Danish bead and jewelry brand blaming a lack of fresh product and slow sales in physical store.
Revenue in the United States in Q1 totaled $162 million, with $5.6 million of that coming from the acquisition of franchise stores. (Pandora acquired a total of 17 franchise stores globally in the first quarter, the bulk of them in the United Kingdom.)
Like-for-like sales in the company-owned concept stores grew 9 percent, but that growth was mainly driven by sales on the e-commerce site, which is included in the like-for-like calculation.
Pandora continues to put money behind company-owned concept stores, opening 64 of them in the U.S. over the past year. It now has a total of 380 concept stores in the U.S. market, with 117--or 31 percent--of those being company owned.
Revenue in the Americas region as a whole (the U.S., along with Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean) also declined in Q1, falling 4 percent year-over-year.
The region is set to soon be under new leadership for Copenhagen, Denmark-based Pandora; Scott Burger stepped down in February after nearly six years heading the market. The company, which has its headquarters for the Americas in Baltimore, said it plans to name Burger’s replacement in the second quarter.
Globally, first quarter revenue was up 6 percent year-over-year to $820.5 million.
Pandora’s biggest boost came from the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), while slow sales in China were a drag on the Asia-Pacific region.
Revenue from Pandora-owned retail outlets was up 32 percent in the quarter, and now accounts for more than half the company’s total sales.
EBITDA dropped from $299 million (36.4 percent margin) to $265.3 million (32.6 percent margin).
In the company’s statement on first quarter results CEO Anders Colding Friis said: “As anticipated, sales growth has started out at a moderate pace and is expected to improve as we gradually introduce more newness in our product assortment throughout the year.”
The company ended the quarter with 2,485 concept stores worldwide.
Of those, 1,022--or 41 percent--are owned and operated by Pandora. The number of company-owned stores is up by 660 year-over-year.
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.






















