TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
EditorsJan 15, 2015
Phone at home
I have been doing something scary lately: I’ve been leaving the house without my phone. Not for long periods of time--say, an entire 8-hour span--but rather just a stretch of a few hours, on a weekend afternoon or on those rare workdays when I escape my office for a bit at lunch.
No one in any life-threatening situations was unable to reach me and I didn’t miss out on any vital social functions or information, insofar as I can tell. Instead, I was forced to focus on the people I was with (downside: they didn’t leave their phones at home so I spent a lot of time staring at them staring at their phones) and the other human beings who were out and about (also staring at their phones, mostly.)
Being smartphone-less for a few afternoons also forced me to realize how dependent on this device I’ve become, for what exactly is unclear. But I am addicted. Many times throughout the several-hour span, I found myself instinctively reaching for my handbag to grab my phone and look at … what, I don’t know. I just know the desire was there, like a reflex.
I also know that I am not alone and apparently so does WNYC, New York’s public radio station.
The station’s New Tech City podcast, which examines how technology is changing our lives, launched a project this week called “Bored and Brilliant: The Lost Art of Spacing Out,” and I am among the foolhardy phone-leavers who have signed up so far.
The aim of Bored and Brilliant is for listeners to begin tracking their daily smartphone usage through an app called Moment (Android users must use BreakFree). Then, during the week of Feb. 2, New Tech City will issue a series of challenges to participants. The goal: to get people to put down their smartphones and let their minds wander to see where they go.
I won’t frighten you by sharing the statistics on how many times a day we look at our phones or what percentage of people sleep with a smartphone by their side, though if you’re in the mood for a scare, you can see them by listening to or reading “The Case for Boredom,” the first podcast/story of Bored and Brilliant.
But the gist of the story, and the New Tech City challenge, is that smartphones allow us to fill every idle moment of the day with games, web surfing and social media scrolling.
This isn’t good, researchers say, because it’s when we don’t have anything to focus on, when we are “bored,” that the creative ideas begin to flow.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
That's why so many good ideas come about in the shower. Our mind can wander in that 10-, 15- or 20-minute stretch because it doesn’t have anything else to do; it’s free.
I don’t know exactly what the challenges will be but I am eager to find out, and to see where my mind goes when I start living a life that’s a little more phone-free.
I encourage anyone who feels that they are in need of a creative spark to join me. You can sign up right here.
I don’t know exactly what the challenges will be but I am eager to find out, and to see where my mind goes when I start living a life that’s a little more phone-free.
I encourage anyone who feels that they are in need of a creative spark to join me. You can sign up right here.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
Weekly QuizMay 01, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2025
Instore Show Debuts New Name, Look, and FocusNow called The Instore Jewelry Show, it will include holiday-focused education, interactive workshops, and a window display contest.
SourcingApr 30, 2025
GemGuide Has a New Pricing Chart for Colombian EmeraldsIt includes pricing for unenhanced Colombian emeralds in the fine to extra fine range.
CollectionsApr 30, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Goes Deep-Sea Diving in New Blue BookThe “Sea of Wonder” collection features pieces inspired by the ocean, from its waves to flora and creatures like urchins and sea turtles.
AuctionsApr 29, 2025
‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Pulled From AuctionThe 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
IndependentsApr 29, 2025
Maryland Jeweler to Close After 36 YearsG.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.
ColumnistsApr 29, 2025
Google Ads vs. Social Media Ads: Which Are More Effective?Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.
SourcingApr 29, 2025
Gemfields Mini Ruby Auction Achieves $7MThe miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.
CrimeApr 28, 2025
Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels JewelryU.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
TrendsApr 28, 2025
Suzanne Kalan Launches Tech Ring Jacket CollectionHealth monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.
Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant RecipientsTen organizations were selected this year.
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
