The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
DEF launches consumer-facing website
The Diamond Empowerment Fund now is telling the story of the good that diamonds do around the world directly to consumers.

The New York-based nonprofit just launched DiamondsDoGood.com, a website built in partnership with The Condé Nast Media Group. The site gives a history of the stones and shares stories of the good diamond and jewelry companies are doing today.
Stories shared on the site include Rio Tinto’s program that brings water to villages in rural India, the successes of three DEF student scholars, De Beers’ enterprise-building programs in South Africa, the education of women on maternal and children’s health in rural China by retailer Chow Tai Fook, and the giving back the industry does in the United States through Jewelers for Children.
Additional programs from the industry will be featured on the site throughout 2015.
“There has been a void in communication of the vast amount of good the industry does,” DEF co-founder Benjamin Chavis said. “This website will help fill that void.”
Supporting the website are accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
A grant from the JCK Industry Fund made development and the first phase of the website possible.
Founded by Chavis, business mogul Russell Simmons and diamond industry leaders in 2007, DEF works to empower diamond-producing communities worldwide. Its beneficiaries include CIDA City Campus in South Africa; the African Leadership Academy, a university preparatory school in Johannesburg; and the Botswana Top Achievers program, which gives that country’s top high school students the chance to study at the college of their choice anywhere in the world.
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The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.


Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.