Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
My New Year’s resolutions
Hannah and I were having a laugh last week about how the calendar date of Jan. 1 inspires people to vow to turn over a new leaf: they are going to lose weight, save more money, be a better all-around person.

Change is difficult. It is a long-term proposition that requires dedication and desire that may not necessarily coincide with Jan. 1 on the Gregorian calendar.
That being said, there’s nothing wrong with using Jan. 1 to set reasonable goals for the year ahead and change things that didn’t work in 2013 or simply are in need of an update.
Here are two of my plans for National Jeweler in 2014.
1) Expanding our metals coverage. The price of gold keeps going down and is expected to drop even more in 2014 while yellow gold rises in popularity. In recent years, NJ has done a newsletter dedicated to silver 12 months out of the year as well as a quarterly one dedicated to platinum. This year, we are changing gears and introducing the Metals Market newsletter.
This newsletter will go out the third Tuesday of every month and will focus on a different metal each month, beginning with gold on Jan. 21. February will be platinum-focused, March will center on silver and April will cover a yet-to-be-determined alternative metal (suggestions welcome).
The metals will repeat in the same cycle twice more throughout the year.
2) Adding antiques. As many might already know our parent company, Emerald Expositions, is in the process of acquiring George Little Management LLC (GLM). GLM produces a number of antique jewelry shows, including the Antique Jewelry & Watch shows in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami Beach.
To this end, National Jeweler plans to add twice-yearly antique and estate jewelry focused newsletters, scheduled for publication in April, before the trade-only Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show, and again in September, before the holiday selling season.
The newsletters will focus on what’s happening in the antique jewelry market--what’s hot (avoiding use of the word “new” here) and what jewelers can expect at the shows along with profiles of some interesting players in antique jewelry. Again, any suggestions for content are welcome.
Readers: If
Happy New Year. If anybody needs me, I’ll be keeping warm in one of these.
The Latest

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.


Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.