This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
The Rap Price List Is Now Weekly Again
The Rapaport Group has nixed the idea of publishing its price list just once a month and scrapped plans for an advisory board.
New York—The Rapaport Group is rolling back all the changes made to its price list following an uproar over a price cut earlier this year.
In mid-March, as the coronavirus paralyzed business worldwide, Chairman Martin Rapaport cut list prices by an average of 7 percent across the board, angering hundreds of dealers and big diamond companies who wondered how there could be such a big swing in price when trading had virtually come to a halt.
Martin Rapaport refused to budge on the price cut, maintaining it accurately reflected what was happening in the market, but did organize a vote among RapNet members on suspending the list during the crisis.
They voted in favor of suspension, and the Rapaport Price List was put on ice until Friday, May 1.
While the list was suspended, Rapaport held two webinars in which he detailed a number of changes he would make when Rapaport Group resumed publication of the list.
He said they would:
— Shift to publishing the Rap list monthly, instead of weekly;
— Introduce a RapNet TradeSheet with discount ranges that will be published weekly; and
— Assemble an advisory board to give input on the list.
But in a note to subscribers published June 11, just a month after the list returned, the Rapaport Group announced it was reverting to publishing the Rapaport Price List every week.
“The diamond markets are returning to activity and it is important that we have the flexibility to change our benchmark prices when and how we see fit,” it stated.
Rapaport Group also said it is nixing the release of the weekly TradeSheet because it has “caused confusion and concern among retailers and added-value suppliers” and decided against having an advisory committee due to “anti-trust and security considerations.”
“While we will continue to regularly contact market participants for market and price information we will not establish a formal advisory committee … We are open to advice and information from all market participants and encourage them to contact us at prices@diamonds.net.”
The next Rapaport Price List is scheduled to come out today, June 19.
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.