Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
Online Retailer James Allen Secures $140M in Funding
Private equity firm Francisco Partners is investing in the bridal jewelry and loose diamond e-commerce site.
New York--Private equity firm Francisco Partners has sunk $140 million into JamesAllen.com, an online seller of bridal jewelry and loose diamonds.
The funds will be used to innovate the e-tailer’s online consumer shopping experience, including further enhancing its diamond and jewelry visualization technologies, developing new distribution formats and expanding its jewelry product offerings.
JamesAllen.com features a selection of nearly 150,000 loose diamonds and hundreds of ring settings, allowing consumers to design or customize their jewelry, and also offers a virtual showroom and 360-degree Diamond Display Technology.
The e-tailer is owned by R2Net, which also owns and operates Segoma, DMarket (Diamond Market) and Brio Animation Studio.
Through its Segoma global photography centers, R2Net provides 360-degree high-definition photos of diamonds to diamond polishers, and then displays them on loose diamond site DMarket and JamesAllen.com.
Francisco Partners specializes in investing in technology companies and has put money into more than 175 companies since it launched more than a decade ago.
Other companies it has invested in include Quantros, a management solutions company for the healthcare industry, web analytics company Webtrends and data protection company Barracuda.
The Latest

The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.

The Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.


Natalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.

Béatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.

With refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.

The store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.

The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.

Our Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.

The 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.

Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.

The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.

McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.

Nelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.

The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.

The MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.

The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.

The collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.

In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.

The group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.

The retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.

The award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.

The “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.

The unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
























