SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
GradingNov 23, 2014
EGL USA to launch trading platform by year’s end
EGL USA laboratory plans to introduce a new, free diamond trading platform for the industry that will list certified diamonds from “all major labs”--but not any diamonds graded by EGL labs outside the United States.
New York--EGL USA laboratory plans to introduce a new, free diamond trading platform for the industry that will list certified diamonds from “all major labs”--but not any diamonds graded by EGL labs outside the United States.
Like other diamond trading platforms, the site will offer basic inventory data on certified diamonds and provide posting and browsing capability, allowing wholesalers, dealers and jewelers to contact each other and do business directly. In addition, platform members will be able to register an unlimited number of users on each of their accounts.
Mitch Jakubovic, director of EGL USA’s New York office, said there will be no charge for any users to list their diamonds on this new platform.
“The new platform will be free, open, and independent,” Yaakov Tversky, who runs EGL USA’s Los Angeles office, said in a company statement. “And it will provide an immediate, no-cost solution for our business partners, who were unfairly displaced by RapNet.”
Diamonds graded by EGL USA, along with all other EGL labs, were removed from RapNet earlier this year due to ongoing complaints in the trade about some EGL laboratories overstating the quality of, or “over-grading,” diamonds.
Polygon followed with an announcement that it would no longer list diamonds graded by EGL International but would continue to list stones graded by EGL USA. IDEX Online and GemFind said they would continue to list diamonds graded by all EGL labs.
Following the ban, Rapaport Group Chairman Martin Rapaport has been particularly outspoken about the issue of over-grading, most recently publishing an editorial calling for an end to the practice. While acknowledging in the editorial that some EGLs have more ethical grading practices than others, Rapaport said having so many labs that use the EGL name causes nothing but confusion and allows EGL labs with sub-par practices to trade on the name of the more ethical EGLs.
EGL USA, which has offices in New York and Los Angeles, has maintained throughout the controversy that it’s not affiliated with any of the EGL labs outside of the United States and does not deserve to be lumped together with other EGL labs accused of over-grading, regardless of its name. (EGL USA actually has been locked in a federal court battle with EGL International for the last 10 years over rights to the EGL name in the U.S., among other issues.)
In an
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
open letter responding to Rapaport’s editorial, the lab pointed out that a survey published by RapNet just last year stated that EGL USA’s standards are “comparable” to those of the Gemological Institute of America and the International Gemological Institute, “two decidedly ‘good’ labs that you (Rapaport) work with every day.”
As of Friday, EGL USA was not releasing the official name or URL for the new diamond trading platform, nor the name of the “leading interactive firm” that will handle day-to-day maintenance of the site. That information, Jakubovic said, will be disclosed closer to the platform’s launch.
The site initially will operate in beta format, meaning it will be nearly but not quite complete with additional features added over time. Jakubovic could not say Friday how long it would be before the platform is out of beta mode.
More on Grading
The Latest
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
