From tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
What you liked this year
It’s always interesting to compare the list of what we deemed to be the “biggest” news stories of the year to the hard numbers--the stories that were the most read on NationalJeweler.com.
According to an analysis prepared internally as of the end of the third quarter, our annual State of the Majors report, a perennial favorite that was published in late June, garnered more page views than any other story on the site.After the State of the Majors, this story from January about a 57,500-carat emerald--believed by some gemologists to be a piece of less-valuable dyed white beryl--digging up controversy was the most popular on our website.
The giant emerald--white beryl?--wasn’t the only colored stone attracting attention this year, though.
This post-Tucson story about nearly $1 million worth of Oregon sunstone being snatched from its owners’ trailer at the annual shows held there was the third most-viewed story on our site. Last time I checked, this crime, sadly, remained an unsolved mystery.
Readers also gravitated to stories on synthetic diamonds, which made headlines throughout the year.
A report about the International Gemological Institute in Antwerp receiving a parcel of hundreds of undisclosed synthetics--the site’s fourth most-read story--kicked off an increased interest in lab-grown diamonds that didn’t wane. Subsequent stories about a new lab-grown diamond company launching in the United States and how the labs are prepared to detect synthetics also attracted a lot of readers.
That isn’t to say, however, that our readers didn’t crave lighter news in 2012, a year that certainly brought its share of grave headlines.
Our story on the Couture design awards that took place during the Las Vegas shows was the sixth most-read story of the year, followed closely by our review of what is probably the most anticipated awards ceremony of the year.
The Oscars took place in February, and this year our roundup of celebrities' red carpet jewelry picks was nearly as popular as Angelina Jolie’s leg, ranking as the seventh most-read story on the site.
Want to compare how our most popular reads stack up against our editor-curated list of the 10 biggest news stories of the year? Click here.
The Latest

The “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.

The catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.

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

The chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”


The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.

Any gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.

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

The Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”

The new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.

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

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

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

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

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

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.























