IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
EditorsMar 10, 2015
The tipping points
We are in the midst of a period of tremendous social change. Have you noticed?
In the United States, this is particularly visible at the college level, as young adults mobilize to bring attention to rapes on campuses across the nation and higher-education institutions’ long-standing habit of trying to hide them.
The movement is not limited to young women. Young men are speaking up too--the White House’s It’s On Us campaign puts the onus on both women and men to put an end to sexual assaults on college campuses. There’s also He for She, a more general gender equality movement led by men that “brings together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity, for the benefit of all.”
The equal rights of women and girls is, as Hillary Clinton put it, “the unfinished business of the 21st century.”
But it’s not just about women.
It’s about minorities, who will become the majority in this country within the next several decades, speaking out about inherent biases in society.
It’s about the gay and lesbian community pushing for the rights that have long and unfairly been denied to them. (By the way, if you are a jeweler with a store in one of the states considering laws like these, I would advise against denying service to anybody.)
Even the long-fought “War on Drugs” is going up in smoke, driven not by Congress but by the votes of people in state across the country, as they come to the realization that prison sentences that keep young men locked up for years on end do nothing but cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
At the heart of this period of great social change is the fact that the baby boomers are getting older and their children, the generation known as the Millennials who soon will outnumber their parents, are coming of age with a much more liberal set of beliefs.
[caption id="attachment_2819" align="alignright" width="473"]
The jewelry industry needs to recognize this. Behavior alleged in cases like this and this and this
isn’t tolerated anymore. The old boys’ club is beginning to show cracks.
The industry should ride the wave of social change and be progressive for once instead of lagging like we did, and still do, in areas such as technology and marketing.
If there is discrimination of any kind going on at your business, you have absolutely no excuse for letting it continue without intervening. If you don’t, don’t think for a second that someone else won’t do it for you.
Just ask the fraternity brothers at the University of Oklahoma, who probably didn’t expect that one among them would tape and then post their racist chant to YouTube for all to see. But that’s exactly what happened.
People are speaking up and speaking out, using social media as a tool. That is fact. And while you might not agree with all my viewpoints expressed above, many of them are facts as well.
The Millennials will number some 75 million as of this year. They have a much more liberal set of beliefs than their parents and they are, whether you agree with them or not, the consumers of the future. They’ll be the ones to shape the social structure of the country going forward.
Retailers who hope to connect with them need to be progressive, be open-minded, and be accepting. Be ahead of the curve, instead of behind it.
The industry should ride the wave of social change and be progressive for once instead of lagging like we did, and still do, in areas such as technology and marketing.
If there is discrimination of any kind going on at your business, you have absolutely no excuse for letting it continue without intervening. If you don’t, don’t think for a second that someone else won’t do it for you.
Just ask the fraternity brothers at the University of Oklahoma, who probably didn’t expect that one among them would tape and then post their racist chant to YouTube for all to see. But that’s exactly what happened.
People are speaking up and speaking out, using social media as a tool. That is fact. And while you might not agree with all my viewpoints expressed above, many of them are facts as well.
The Millennials will number some 75 million as of this year. They have a much more liberal set of beliefs than their parents and they are, whether you agree with them or not, the consumers of the future. They’ll be the ones to shape the social structure of the country going forward.
Retailers who hope to connect with them need to be progressive, be open-minded, and be accepting. Be ahead of the curve, instead of behind it.
More on Editors
The Latest
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
