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.
EditorsNov 29, 2012
Whose failure is it anyway?
In these modern, social-media crazed times, the word “fail” has taken on a new life.
It is a popular Internet meme, with countless photos and videos circulating the web labeling people or events that don’t meet expectations as a “fail,” with some intended to be humorous and others more serious in nature.Fail is also popular on micro-blogging site Twitter. When used with a tweet, #fail generally indicates that the tweeter is not pleased with something, and the large mammal that appears when the site is overloaded is referred to as the “fail whale.”
While I understand this modern spin on failure, I also still have an appreciation for its more traditional, and oftentimes graver, original connotation, and I was saddened to see it attached to the Kimberley Process (KP) plenary currently taking place in Washington, D.C.
In this article, the author notes that the key goal of the United States, currently the country chairing the process, is to broaden the definition of conflict diamonds, a proposal that is reportedly not expected to pass. Such an outcome would be, the author notes, “a failure for the U.S.”
I don’t disagree with that notion; the United States has made it clear that getting something done about the definition of “conflict” diamond--which is 10 years old at this point and outdated--was one of the top priorities in its year as chair. So, yes, if it doesn’t pass, the item certainly won’t go down in history as a huge victory for the United States.
But I don’t think the U.S. as chair will be the only loser if the KP can’t agree on a new definition for conflict.
The entire industry suffers from the long-standing, consensus-only model that prevents the KP from deciding on even the simplest issues without years of arguing. Just one year removed from the long stalemate over Zimbabwe, how do you think the headlines will read when the latest plenary ends if there isn’t any significant progress made on its most pressing issues?
Do you think it will make consumers--who already aren’t exposed to as much generic diamond advertising as in the past--feel more confident about buying diamonds? And, if consumer confidence falls, who fails then? It isn’t just the United States. When the KP flounders, it hurts the industry as a whole.
One more note about failure ... Several paragraphs after the mention of a failure for the United States, the author references the Diamond Source Warranty Protocol, which was
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
introduced in October by Jewelers of America and other U.S.-based organizations, and states that the proposal failed.
The idea behind the protocol, which is entirely voluntary, is to give retailers a tool to use to prevent their vendors from selling them diamonds from countries deemed to be undesirable.
As has been documented, the protocol ignited controversy when it was introduced. But, just to clarify, it has not failed. I talked to Rob Headley with Jewelers of America on Wednesday and he assured me that the protocol (which is beyond being a “proposal” as it already has been written and launched) is up and running and that some retailers already have adopted it.
“We launched it. Retailers are beginning to use it. It is not a failure,” he said.
The idea behind the protocol, which is entirely voluntary, is to give retailers a tool to use to prevent their vendors from selling them diamonds from countries deemed to be undesirable.
As has been documented, the protocol ignited controversy when it was introduced. But, just to clarify, it has not failed. I talked to Rob Headley with Jewelers of America on Wednesday and he assured me that the protocol (which is beyond being a “proposal” as it already has been written and launched) is up and running and that some retailers already have adopted it.
“We launched it. Retailers are beginning to use it. It is not a failure,” he said.
More on Editors
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
