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.
Saks Fifth Avenue takes Off 5th online
Saks Inc.’s Off 5th chain of department stores launched an e-commerce site Monday, making the company’s deeply discounted merchandise available to consumers around the clock.
New York--Saks Inc.’s Off 5th chain of department stores launched an e-commerce site Monday, making the company’s deeply discounted merchandise available to consumers around the clock.
Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th President Robert Wallstrom called the opening of the online store a milestone in the chain’s omni-channel retail strategy.
“In addition to our 70 nationwide stores, the e-commerce site is yet another platform through which we can provide our curated off-price shopping experience,” he said. “We want it to be the Saks of the off-price world, a true extension of the brand.”
The website has the same collections as the stores as well as access to the plus-size ladies’ line, Salon Z, which is not available in all stores. There is 24-hour customer service and the company said it will add mobile and tablet enhancements as the site evolves.
Major retailers, both high-end and mid-tier, continue to pour money into their off-price and outlet store segments.
Saks now has 70 Off 5th stores and plans to open seven more in 2014, meaning by the end of next year more than 60 percent of its 118 locations will be Off 5th stores. Nordstrom also has more discount stores, which are called Nordstrom Rack, than full-price locations.
Among specialty jewelers, Signet Jewelers Ltd., operator of Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, and Borsheims are two of the chains investing in their outlet segments.
Signet Jewelers bought Ultra Stores Inc. earlier this year and is in the process of converting those stores into Kay Jewelers Outlet stores while Borsheims picked an outlet mall, the Nebraska Crossing Outlets in Gretna, for its second store.
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.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

“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.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

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.




















