TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
EditorsMay 06, 2013
The need for greater mobility
We’ve published a few columns and articles this year on the growing importance of mobile commerce, also known as “m-commerce,” in today’s marketplace.
For those that saw that resolution die alongside plans to go to the gym more and spend less, Marciw followed up with a similar column in April in which he cited a number of statistics on the growing usage of smartphones and tablet consumers. While statistics vary from source to source, it is fairly widely agreed that smartphone ownership in the United States has surpassed 50 percent at this point and will continue to climb.
Now there’s yet another indication for jewelers that the time is now to invest in mobile, this one in the form of news from Blue Nile, a continued thorn in the side of engagement ring-selling independents everywhere.
While announcing its first-quarter financial results last week, Blue Nile CEO Harvey Kanter revealed that some 40 percent of site traffic now comes from mobile devices, up from 34 percent in the fourth quarter.
He also admitted that the e-tailer does not do as well as it could in converting these tablet and phone browsers into buyers. But they are working on it. “While it currently is a challenge to convert mobile users at the same rate as those coming to us from a PC, we consider this a great opportunity,” Kanter said during the call.
In the second quarter, Blue Nile will be keying in on improving the mobile experience on its site. One of the changes mentioned specifically by Kanter is the use of “touch-base navigation,” to “bring the brilliance of products closer to customers.”
Blue Nile didn’t respond to my request to elaborate on this statement but when I asked Marciw what this meant, he emailed a long response that he, quite impressively, typed out on his smartphone.
Touch-base navigation basically refers to the fact that when creating a mobile version of a website, designers need to keep in mind that users surfing the site are doing so from touch-screen devices. This, Marciw says, includes a number of considerations, from the placement of search buttons so it’s located near the user’s thumb to the gratuitous use of photos so there’s touch points all over the screen.
He adds that at Fruchtman Marketing, they now are developing one
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
“mobile responsive” website for customers instead of two sites, one general and one for mobile.
Personally, I have shopped from my phone before; I have literally laid in bed with my phone on a Saturday morning and ordered shoes online. (I ordered another pair online this weekend but managed to make it to my desk and use my laptop computer to do so.) I would probably do even more shopping on a tablet computer if owned one but I haven’t yet made that purchase for a myriad of reasons, among them being my aforementioned penchant for shoe shopping.
I am not saying here that every jeweler has to sell online--this column is not about e-commerce. I believe that is up to each individual retailer to decide based on their customer base, its demographics and demands. But retailers need to be accessible online and, these days, that includes having a website that loads properly on all the devices that people use.
Personally, I have shopped from my phone before; I have literally laid in bed with my phone on a Saturday morning and ordered shoes online. (I ordered another pair online this weekend but managed to make it to my desk and use my laptop computer to do so.) I would probably do even more shopping on a tablet computer if owned one but I haven’t yet made that purchase for a myriad of reasons, among them being my aforementioned penchant for shoe shopping.
I am not saying here that every jeweler has to sell online--this column is not about e-commerce. I believe that is up to each individual retailer to decide based on their customer base, its demographics and demands. But retailers need to be accessible online and, these days, that includes having a website that loads properly on all the devices that people use.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
