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.
GradingJun 12, 2014
GIA, Forevermark eye Surat for new labs
De Beers diamond brand Forevermark and the Gemological Institute of America soon might be diamond-grading neighbors in India.
New York--De Beers diamond brand Forevermark and the Gemological Institute of America soon might be diamond-grading neighbors in India.
At a presentation during the recent Las Vegas jewelry shows, London-based Forevermark CEO Stephen Lussier revealed that the brand, which currently grades diamonds at a single facility in Antwerp, was building a second Forevermark grading facility in Surat, a major diamond cutting and polishing center in India.
Also in Las Vegas, the Gemological Institute of America announced that its board of governors directed GIA management to examine opening a grading facility in Surat. This comes in addition to the Carlsbad, Calif.-based lab’s plans to hire more graders and expand facilities in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Mumbai in an attempt to keep up with sharply increasing demand.
The board said there are three reasons for the exceptionally high demand: many banks requesting grading reports to substantiate loans; concerns about undisclosed synthetics making effective screening more important, particularly for smaller goods; and an increase in consumer demand in developing markets for smaller stones with GIA grading reports.
The GIA admittedly has not been able to keep up with the rising demand for its grading services and gets 25 percent more stones than it can process every day. In early May, the lab announced it was replacing “turnaround time” on its reports with “return date.”
Turnaround time did not take holidays or weekends into account and didn’t state the exact date a stone would be ready for pickup or shipped.
Return date does both, and is meant to give clients a clearer picture of when to expect their stones back. The return dates also are classified by weight ranges, which expedites the grading of larger stones by giving them priority.
RELATED CONTENT: GIA now giving ‘return date’ for stones
Lussier’s statement came as part of a speech called “Nurturing the Diamond Dream,” given in a special presentation from De Beers executives at JCK Las Vegas. His speech was preceded by a presentation from De Beers Group CEO Philippe Mellier.
During his talk, Lussier also revealed the results of a recent poll De Beers did of 18,500 U.S. women between the ages of 18 and 75, noting that “America’s going to be the place that makes the world diamond market tick.”
Among the survey’s findings:
--Today’s brides are older and, therefore, more affluent.
--Spending on diamond engagement rings is up 40
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
percent since 2011 while carat content is up 60 percent, somewhat due to a decrease in quality. Today’s brides are willing to sacrifice color and clarity for a larger stone.
--Online sales accounted for 18 percent of diamond jewelry pieces purchased in 2013, up from 14 percent in 2011. However, a total of 34 percent of women went online to at least do research before purchasing.
--Couples today remain engaged for five times longer than they did in the 1980s.
--Online sales accounted for 18 percent of diamond jewelry pieces purchased in 2013, up from 14 percent in 2011. However, a total of 34 percent of women went online to at least do research before purchasing.
--Couples today remain engaged for five times longer than they did in the 1980s.
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.
