This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Nearly 30-carat blue diamond found in S. Africa
Mining company Petra Diamonds Ltd. announced Tuesday that it has recovered a 29.6-carat rough blue diamond from the famed Cullinan mine in South Africa.

London--Mining company Petra Diamonds Ltd. announced Tuesday that it has recovered a 29.6-carat rough blue diamond from the famed Cullinan mine in South Africa.
Petra described the stone as “exceptional,” noting that it is an outstanding vivid blue with extraordinary saturation, tone and clarity.
The mining company went so far as to say the stone is one of the most exceptional diamonds recovered at Cullinan during its operation of the mine.
Petra acquired the Cullinan mine in July 2008. In that time, it has recovered four large blue diamonds, with three out of four selling for $8 million-plus.
The highest-grossing of these stones was a 25.5-carat blue that sold for $16.9 million last year.
The Cullinan also yielded a 26.6-carat piece of blue rough that was polished into a fancy vivid blue internally flawless 7-carat diamond. Sold for $9.5 million, or $1.35 million per carat, at Sotheby’s in 2009, the stone set two new world auction records at the time of its sale. Its owner named it the “Star of Josephine.”
London-based Petra Diamonds has interest in a total of six producing mines, five in South Africa--the Finsch, Koffiefontein, Kimberley Underground and Helam, in addition to the Cullinan--and one in Tanzania, the Williamson mine.
The company also has an exploration program in Botswana.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.


Two existing executives have been given new roles.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.