Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
5 Jewelry News Stories You Might Have Missed
De Beers breaks ground on a diamond factory, plus we ask the question: Who’s really in charge at your jewelry store?

New York--Here are five jewelry news stories from the week of June 25 that should not be missed.
1. De Beers Breaks Ground on Diamond Growing Facility
The diamond miner and marketer announced Wednesday that it has broken ground on the factory outside of Porland, Oregon where it will grow diamonds for Lightbox Jewelry, its line of fashion pieces set with lab-grown stones.
2. CPAA Pearl Design Competition Now Accepting Entries
Jewelry designers interested in creating a piece using pearls have from now through Sept. 22 to enter the Cultured Pearl Association of America’s annual design contest.
3. A. Jaffe Set to be Sold, Again
Court filings show that the diamond jewelry company, one of three U.S. firms owned by Nirav Modi, is going back on the block this month.
4. Exhibition of Contemporary Jewelry Designers Opens in KY
Jewelry made by 36 artists from the American Jewelry Design Council is on display from now through mid-August at the Headley-Whitney Museum of Art in Lexington.
5. Squirrel Spotting: Who’s Driving the Bus in Your Business?
Don’t miss the latest column from Peter Smith, who writes that if it is the salespeople who are dictating the direction of your store, then you have a big problem.
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With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.


The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.

The museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.

The new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.

The “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.























