MajorsFeb 05, 2026
Pandora to Begin Selling Platinum-Plated JewelryThe introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.
EditorsJul 23, 2015
The benefits of taking a break
I just returned to New York City, and the National Jeweler office, after a sunny week off spent on the New England coast.
I’m an avid fan of vacations, likely instilled in me by my family. From ski trips in Maine to beach houses on Rhode Island’s Block Island, we’ve always escaped for a few weeks out of the year to relax, unplug and spend time together. As I got older, I’ve incorporated trips with friends into my plans each year, and since the start of my career I’ve always used each and every vacation and personal day I was allotted.
For me, there’s often a mix of emotion upon returning from time off: first, the melancholy feeling that accompanies knowing the vacation has ended, that it’s time to leave that work-free, responsibility-free oasis and return to the grind.
But it’s always followed by a second feeling: eagerness. Eager to get back to routine, to work, to the gym. Eager to settle back into the swing of things, to feel productive again.
There’s been talk in the news for some time now about how Americans don’t take advantage of their paid time off, often because they dread the slew of emails, projects and other tasks that accumulate and lie in wait for when the employee returns, or because of their visible absence. Sometimes, it’s just company culture; other times, employees see it as a way to protect themselves from layoffs in the post-recession era.
But does skipping out on time off pay off in the end?
Maybe not, it seems.
There’s a bevy of research that points to the fact that not taking vacation actually harms productivity, much of it citing that it hurts brain function and can even affect us outside of work, encroaching on personal relationships.
An article published by CBS Seattle earlier this month profiled an Oregon tech startup that says its implementation of a 32-hour work week has helped to boost employee productivity. The CEO, Ryan Carson, told the publication that reducing work hours and putting an emphasis on work-life balance allowed more time for workers to have “light bulb” moments of innovation, which keeps the company competitive.
“No matter how much money I made or how powerful I get, I can’t buy time,” Carson told the news station.
While I can’t speak to why taking time off makes the greater population productive, I know that for myself, it helps to jumpstart that eagerness to feel constructive again.
I believe taking breaks in smaller increments
of time each day--in other words, not eating lunch at your desk--also is beneficial to productivity, as does our Editor-in-Chief, Michelle Graff.
“I read this list of the habits of productive and successful people and one of the habits is taking a half-hour or an hour off at lunch,” she says. “I’ve taken to doing this a couple of days a week--I get lamb over rice and a Coke from one of the food trucks outside (the National Jeweler office) and sit in Zuccotti Park--and I think it works. I come back feeling refreshed and actually get more done.”
Aside from the evidence that taking time off helps employees do their job better, I also think stepping away from work is good for the soul.
Traveling, relaxing, spending time with family and friends (or alone if you prefer)--that, in my opinion, is what brings true quality to life.
“I read this list of the habits of productive and successful people and one of the habits is taking a half-hour or an hour off at lunch,” she says. “I’ve taken to doing this a couple of days a week--I get lamb over rice and a Coke from one of the food trucks outside (the National Jeweler office) and sit in Zuccotti Park--and I think it works. I come back feeling refreshed and actually get more done.”
Aside from the evidence that taking time off helps employees do their job better, I also think stepping away from work is good for the soul.
Traveling, relaxing, spending time with family and friends (or alone if you prefer)--that, in my opinion, is what brings true quality to life.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
What Designers Should Know About Saks Global’s BankruptcyFrom how to get an invoice paid to getting merchandise returned, JVC’s Sara Yood answers some complex questions.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership TeamThe manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
