ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
SourcingDec 06, 2019
On Netflix, Diamonds Are ‘Explained’
The popular gemstones are one of the topics explored in the second season of the Vox-produced documentary series.
A screenshot from “Diamonds” the season finale of the second season of “Explained,” the Vox-produced documentary series available on Netflix. (Photo courtesy of Netflix)
New York—Diamonds are the topic of an episode of “Explained,” a Vox-produced documentary series that just wrapped up its second season on Netflix.
The 23-minute episode, which aired Nov. 28, features familiar faces, including Alrosa North America President Rebecca Foerster and industry analyst Paul Zimnisky, and aims to answer the question, why do people like diamonds so much?
“Diamonds, Explained” begins with the scientific, noting that diamonds form deeper in the earth than other gemstones, at depths where the pressure reaches five to six gigapascals. (The pascal is a unit scientists use to measure pressure.)
RELATED CONTENT — Going Deep: What the GIA Just Learned About Blue DiamondsKaren Smit, a research scientist at GIA’s New York lab who’s featured in the show, described the pressure under which diamonds form using this analogy: “If you think of 80 elephants standing on your big toe, that is the pressure that is equivalent to five to six gigapascals.”
It also notes that the oldest diamonds, which formed 3.5 billion years ago, pre-date life on earth.
The show then moves into the history of diamonds as adornment, from crowns to pins to rings, including the diamond ring Archduke Maxmilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy when they got married in 1477.
It runs through the history of De Beers, beginning with its monopoly days and the introduction of “A Diamond Is Forever,” penned by copywriter Mary Frances Gerety, to stoke demand for diamonds by casting them as the stone of choice for engagement rings.
Named by AdAge as the top advertising slogan of the 20th century, the uber-successful marketing campaign precipitated the meteoric rise of the diamond’s use in engagement rings.
According to the documentary, around 10 percent of American brides would have gotten a diamond engagement ring in 1939. Today, that number is 85 to 90 percent.
WATCH: The Trailer for ‘Explained’ Season 2
{youtube}7DT6kyG7c-I{/youtube}
“Diamonds, Explained” also delves into lab-grown diamonds, interviewing Ada Diamonds founder Jason Payne, and mentioning De Beers’ pivot to selling the man-made stones with the launch of Lightbox.
“Explained” is produced by news website Vox, a property of Vox Media, whose portfolio includes New York magazine, Grub Street and Recode.
Other topics explored in the second season include the booming number of billionaires, the allure of cults and the rise of athleisure as acceptable everyday fashion.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
