FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
CollectionsAug 12, 2016
Apple Watch to hit stores in April
The much-anticipated smartwatch, which comes in 18-karat gold, will be sold in select specialty stores in addition to Apple’s own.
During an event held at its Cupertino headquarters and live-streamed over the Internet, Apple said its much-anticipated smartwatch will become fully available April 24 in the United States, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, China, France, the United Kingdom and Germany.
The Apple Watch will be available to preview at three stores outside the U.S. on April 10 and be sold there at shop-in-shops, as well as at “boutiques in major cities across the world,” including Maxfield in Los Angeles, a high-end store that carries both new and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories.
Apple initially will offer three collections of its 38mm and 42mm timepiece: Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition.
Apple Watch Sport will be available with an aluminum alloy face with colored bands, and will start at $349. Apple Watch is made in a stainless steel alloy, and will start at $549. Apple Watch Edition, available in 18-karat yellow and rose gold, will start at $10,000 and go up to as much as $17,000.
“It’s the most personal device we have ever created,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said at Monday’s event, during which the company also made announcements about other products. “It’s not just with you, it’s on you. And since what you wear is an expression of who you are, we designed Apple Watch to appeal to a whole variety of people.”
So, what can the watch do?
Cook said it is “the most advanced timepiece ever created” and is accurate to within 15 milliseconds of Coordinated Universal Time.
Aesthetically, every watch features different faces and configurations that the user can personalize; it can be traditional analog, or colorful, or a digital watch face with details like the date, a stopwatch, or calendar events.
“Glances” allow users to check things quickly. For example, swiping the screen up from the bottom will display the weather, play music or show the wearer’s heart rate. Wearers also can read full emails and have the option to delete, flag or mark them.
RELATED CONTENT: 5 facts about Apple Watch
“Digital touch” gives users the ability to sketch on their
watch face with a fingertip and send the image to another person. They also can tap the watch to send a signal to a friend, or send their heartbeat as well, which Cook said is an “incredibly intimate way to tell someone you’re thinking of them.”
Apple Watch also acts as a “comprehensive fitness companion,” reminding the wearer if they’ve been sitting too long and summarizing their movements, such as calories burned and distance traveled. At the end of each week the wearer will get a report on their physical activity for the past seven days, and suggest a new fitness target. “It’s like having a coach on your wrist,” he said.
The timepiece allows people to communicate immediately and more intimately, Cook added. They can receive text messages, and read and respond instantly. A built-in speaker and microphone on the watch also affords the wearer the ability to take calls.
In addition, notifications iPhone users receive on their mobile device can be shown on the smartwatch, including sports scores and social media and news updates. Siri, Apple’s voice recognition software, also is programmed into Apple Watch.
With all of the multi-tasking the timepiece can perform, it’s equipped with an “all-day battery life” of 18 hours. A magnetic charger held to the back of the watch face re-charges the device.
“We make products that enhance people’s lives, and Apple Watch brings that to a new level,” Cook said. “It’s a revolutionary new way to connect with others.”
More on Collections
The Latest
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas FlagshipThe 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist TrialAging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinThe WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT PresidentA longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for AuctionThe platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored GemstonesGet a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.
CrimeMay 23, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ RingFrom Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.
