This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
223-Carater Uncovered in Botswana
The diamond came from Karowe, the mine that produced the second largest rough diamond ever found.

Gaborone, Botswana—Karowe, the Botswana diamond mine that produced the second largest rough diamond in history, just yielded a gem that’s more than 200 carats.
Lucara Diamond Corp., the Vancouver-based company that is the sole owner and operator of the mine, said Tuesday it had recovered a 223-carat “high white” gem-quality diamond.
It will be shown and offered for sale alongside the two other large, gem-quality stones found at Karowe this year: the 240-carat diamond found in late January and the 127-carat stone recovered shortly after the new year began.
Lucara CEO Eira Thomas said: “2019 is off to a great start, with several high-quality diamonds in excess of 100 carats having been recovered by mid-February, a testament to the strong, stable operating environment that has prevailed at Karowe since late 2018.”
The 223-carat diamond will be offered alongside the other large stones at Lucara’s first diamond tender of the year, which opens Feb. 24 and closes March 7; viewings of the rough being offered take place only in Gaborone, Botswana.
The company is scheduled to report its full-year results for 2018 on Thursday after market close.
The Latest

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.


Two existing executives have been given new roles.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.

Sponsored by Stuller

It was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.