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.
Online Sales Drive Holiday Season Growth for Signet
The retailer has upped the number of stores it plans to close from 150 to 165.

Akron, Ohio—The largest player in the jewelry industry recorded growth in comparable sales over the holiday season, fueled mainly by a double-digit increase in online sales.
Signet Jewelers Ltd. reported Thursday morning that in the nine-week period ended Jan. 4, total same-store sales inched up 1.6 percent, with comps in North America rising a full 2 percent.
Online sales are what drove the increase.
E-commerce sales reached $252.3 million, up 14 percent year-over-year, while comps at Signet’s brick-and-mortar stores in the U.K. and North America were essentially flat.
The payment plan participation rate, including both credit and leasing sales, declined year-over-year.
Signet said in April it planned to close 150 physical locations this fiscal year, which ends on Feb. 1.
That number has since increased to 165, with 38 stores opening for a net store reduction of 115.
Out of Signet’s traditional brick-and-mortar banners, Piercing Pagoda (comps up 7 percent), Zales (comps up 5 percent) and Canadian chain Peoples (comps up 5 percent) were the top performers.
Sales at Kay were flat, while Jared the Galleria of Jewelry saw comps slip 4 percent, and Signet’s regional banners recorded a 10 percent drop in same-store sales.
James Allen, which started as an online-only retailer but now has a couple physical locations, saw sales increase 27 percent.
Category-wise, Signet sold more bridal and fashion jewelry—lines like Neil Lane and Adrianna Papell bridal, the new Marilyn Monroe collection and Love + Be Loved—on the back of new product, while sales of beads and watches declined.
The company declined to comment on the performance of lab-grown diamonds, which it just started carrying in all its major U.S. stores this year, over the holiday season.
The number of transactions was up, while the average transaction value was flat.
Commenting on the company’s holiday season results, CEO Gina Drosos said: “We delivered holiday same-store sales growth ahead of guidance as we continued to implement year two of our ‘Path to Brilliance’ transformation.
“Product newness, investments in our digital capabilities and more targeted marketing campaigns drove both e-commerce and brick-and-mortar growth in North America.”
The retailer is increasing its financial guidance for the fiscal year to a same-store sales increase of 0.1 percent, with total sales reaching $6.1 billion.
Previously, Signet had forecast that same-store sales would decline as much as 2 percent.
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.






















