AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
Policies & IssuesMar 02, 2014
Pebble mine plans on hold after EPA action
The Environmental Protection Agency has invoked its authority under the Clean Water Act to assess the impact that the proposed Pebble mine project in Alaska will have on the Bristol Bay watershed, meaning the project cannot go forward, at least for now.
Organizations seeking to block development of the Pebble mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska--home of the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery--notched yet another victory last week when the EPA announced it was going to review the project.
Washington--The Environmental Protection Agency has invoked its authority under the Clean Water Act to assess the impact that the proposed Pebble mine project in Alaska will have on the Bristol Bay watershed, meaning the project cannot go forward, at least for now.
According to Washington-based environmental group Earthworks, a mine opponent, the EPA’s action is not a final decision to block the mine. But what it does mean is that the EPA will review the plan for the mine and decide whether or not to permanently prohibit or restrict mine waste disposal into the watershed, a move that could mean the mine won’t get built.
While the review is taking place, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cannot grant any permits for construction on Pebble.
Earthworks added that the EPA’s review will rely heavily upon the agency’s own peer-reviewed scientific assessment of the impacts of large-scale mining on the Bristol Bay watershed, which was released in January. This is a positive for mine opponents, since that study found that there are severe risks associated with large-scale mining in the Bristol Bay watershed, including destruction of salmon streams and more than 5,000 acres of wetlands, lakes and ponds.
RELATED CONTENT: Proposed Pebble mine is high risk, study finds
Opponents of the mine are hailing the EPA’s decision to invoke the Clean Water Act as a victory. “We are happy with the EPA’s decision to take this crucial step … Now we’re one big step closer to protecting our salmon, our resources and our people from the proposed Pebble mine,” said Kimberly Williams, director of Nunamta Aulukestai, an association of 10 tribes native to Bristol Bay and Native Village corporations.
Jewelers have been among those to speak out against development of the mine, with a number of retailers--including Tiffany & Co., Zale Corp., Leber Jeweler Inc. in Chicago and Ben Bridge Jeweler--vowing never to use gold from Pebble if the mine ever was constructed.
Last September, mining company Anglo American withdrew from the Pebble mine project. Chief Executive Mark Cutifani said while Pebble was a “deposit of rare magnitude and quality,” the company opted to drop out after re-evaluating its entire slate of long-term projects.
Northern Dynasty is now the sole remaining company eyeing development of the Pebble mine. Rio Tinto owns a 19 percent stake in Northern Dynasty, but the mining company said in December that it
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
intends to undertake a strategic review of its stake in Northern Dynasty and may divest, mentioning the Pebble mine as a specific consideration.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
