Sourcing

Rio Tinto continues telling its Story

SourcingJul 13, 2015

Rio Tinto continues telling its Story

Rio Tinto’s Diamonds with a Story campaign recently welcomed four new designers and launched a website created specifically for retailers, designers and manufacturers. 

071415_Rio-Tinto-article.jpg
Suzanne Kalan, known for her “Fireworks” diamond baguette pieces, did jewelry for Color My World using brown diamonds from the Argyle mine to make more affordable pieces.

New York--Rio Tinto has four new designers and a new website for Diamonds with a Story, the marketing program launched three years ago to buoy demand for diamonds by shifting the focus from the four Cs to the stories behind the stones: where they came from, and what impact they had, and are having, on a local level.

The website, DiamondsWithAStory.com, is for retailers, designers and manufacturers and went live earlier this year, around the time of the Las Vegas shows. 

The site contains a tab for Product & Marketing, which includes images of in-store materials that are provided to retailers as well as sales training contact information. DiamondsWithAStory.com also has some consumer research, as well as a link to subscribe to the newsletter for regularly updated research. 

The website is in both English and Chinese.

Diamonds With a Story consists of four collections--Cutting Impact, Color My World, Mixed Medium and Shaped By Origin--all priced at $500 to $5,000 retail. Designers who have previously created pieces for these collections include Kara Ross, Phyllis Bergman, Alexandra Hart and Zoltan David.

At JCK Las Vegas 2015, Rio Tinto brought four new designers into the Diamonds with a Story fold.

Sonoma County, Calif.-based Jennifer Dawes, a metalsmith who launched Dawes Design in 2000, focuses on using responsibly sourced materials to create “green” jewelry, so she created pieces for Cutting Impact, the collection targeted at millennial consumers who desire products that are green.

Matthew Campbell Laurenza is a U.S.-born, Hong Kong-based jewelry designer whose often-colorful designs have netted a lot of red carpet time over the years. Laurenza created a line of jewelry, some of which are designed to fit uniquely-cut gemstones that are interchangeable, for Mixed Medium, which is aimed at consumers looking for something unique. 

Suzanne Kalan, who is known for her white diamonds and colored gemstone “Fireworks” baguette pieces, did pieces for Color My World using brown diamonds from the Argyle mine to make more affordable Fireworks.

And finally there is Sandy Leong, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is inspired by nature when she designs jewelry. Leong created for Shaped By Origin, which is for consumers who want to know from where their diamonds originated. 

Each line includes 12 to 18 pieces, a mix of rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, in 18-karat gold and set with white and colored (gray and brown) diamonds from

the Argyle mine in Western Australia. 
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for Success

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

Hand holding shopping bags
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in January

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

Foundrae Aspen Store
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store Opening

The new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.

MJSA Apprenticeship Guide
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

Bulgari Gioco di Forme e Colori watch and brooch
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales Slip

The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
GemFair x DBL Toi et Moi Ring
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal Diamonds

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

Clientbook
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking Tool

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

JamAlert 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell Jammers

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

Columbia Gem House celestial shapes
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Diamond center in Saurimo, Angola
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

Francesca’s boutique
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All Stores

The retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

Thomas Davis, Monalisa DePina, Jamie Batiste, Namwezi Nicole Batumike, Lavina Hunt-Lewis
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board Members

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

Tiffany & Co. Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837 Campaign
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love Stories

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

DCA colored gemstone course
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone Course

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.

Deutsch & Deutsch jewelers team
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in Texas

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

Baume & Mercier Riviera 10812 pink watch
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & Mercier

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

Martin Katz snowflake earrings
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Ella Blum
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand Strategy

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.

National-Jeweler_1872x1502_B copy.png
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone Market

Sponsored by RapNet

Lugano Diamonds Greenwich Connecticut store
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a Buyer

Investment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.

A Diamond Is Forever book
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ Book

It explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.

Sindhu Culas
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America President

Retail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.

Taylor Burgess
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales Officer

Taylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.

My Next Question podcast with Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s Next

Was 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.

Jules Kim of Bijules, Sophie Howard of By Pariah, Jade Ruzzo, Joy Haugaard of Lionheart, Vanessa Fernández of Vanessa Fernández Studio, Hiba Husayni of Zahn-Z
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026

Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.

Gavel and books stock image
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store Robbery

Plus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.

Felice Korr Morris
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91

Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy