IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
EditorsFeb 20, 2015
Neither bored nor brilliant
A couple weeks ago, I participated in the Bored and Brilliant project from public radio station WNYC, which challenged participants to log the time they spend per day on their smartphones and then see how much that time drops, and their creativity goes up, when they are issued a series of phone-less challenges.
The results for me: I spent 70.1 minutes a day on average on my smartphone between Jan. 15, the day I began using the Moment app to track my usage, and Feb. 2, the day the challenges started.
The days of the challenge, Feb. 3 to Feb. 8, I was on my phone an average of 62.2 minutes, a savings of nearly 10 minutes a day.
Not a bad drop-off, and better than the average participant did in Bored and Brilliant, but I do have a couple confessions to make. Perfect in time for Lent, no?
1) I don’t know if being on my phone less necessarily inspired me to be more creative, to be honest.
I feel like I am just on this non-stop loop where I have too much work to do and I never really get around to finishing any of it. I have an endless to-do list of half-finished or never-started projects. I keep thinking things will get better once I finish this trip or this transition ends, but it just never does.
That being said, I did get a few small projects done around my house, some of which had been lingering for months, and got the wheels turning on a few others.
And, the challenge did make me conscious of how much time a day gets wasted staring at my smartphone, lending insight into why I never feel like I am “caught up.”
We waste a lot of time on our phones without even realizing it. It’s funny, when you think about it. For all the conveniences smartphones offer--deposit a check by just taking a picture of it, turn on the lights in your house and adjust the temperature before you even get home--I would wager that they eat up an equal amount
of time, or more, by sucking us into mindless scrolling.
2) I didn’t participate in the bonus weekend challenge, put your phone away for an hour and construct your dream house using only the contents of your wallet.
To be honest, I just didn’t see the point. I don’t keep much in my wallet to work with and, besides, I live in New York. Owning real estate is so impossible here that I don’t really have a “dream home.” I’d be satisfied with a bigger studio apartment.
While the Bored and Brilliant project is officially over, anyone that wants to challenge themselves and/or their staff to see what ideas they can come up with they put down their smartphone and just be for a bit can read all about the project on its homepage. You also can just construct your own series of challenges.
If anybody does institute smartphone rules around their store, I’d be curious to hear how it goes and if it makes any difference. Did anyone come up with any “brilliant” ideas after they were forced to quit scrolling through the store’s Instagram feed and, instead, go somewhere and just sit quietly for 20 minutes?
I don’t think that this is outside the realm of possibility. I once read a list detailing what successful people do at lunch and all of them involved getting out from behind the screen and taking a break for an hour, whether it’s to have lunch with colleagues, read, listen to music or just take a walk.
In short, they let their minds wander. I wonder if they leave their phones behind.
2) I didn’t participate in the bonus weekend challenge, put your phone away for an hour and construct your dream house using only the contents of your wallet.
To be honest, I just didn’t see the point. I don’t keep much in my wallet to work with and, besides, I live in New York. Owning real estate is so impossible here that I don’t really have a “dream home.” I’d be satisfied with a bigger studio apartment.
While the Bored and Brilliant project is officially over, anyone that wants to challenge themselves and/or their staff to see what ideas they can come up with they put down their smartphone and just be for a bit can read all about the project on its homepage. You also can just construct your own series of challenges.
If anybody does institute smartphone rules around their store, I’d be curious to hear how it goes and if it makes any difference. Did anyone come up with any “brilliant” ideas after they were forced to quit scrolling through the store’s Instagram feed and, instead, go somewhere and just sit quietly for 20 minutes?
I don’t think that this is outside the realm of possibility. I once read a list detailing what successful people do at lunch and all of them involved getting out from behind the screen and taking a break for an hour, whether it’s to have lunch with colleagues, read, listen to music or just take a walk.
In short, they let their minds wander. I wonder if they leave their phones behind.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
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.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
