PodcastsAug 19, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
EditorsSep 04, 2015
Right now, the force is with Signet
I missed hearing the live broadcast of Signet Jewelers’ second quarter earnings call last week, as I was on vacation visiting my family in Pittsburgh and soaking in some very Western Pennsylvania-esque things: a Pirates game at PNC Park (highly recommended); Fallingwater, the spectacular home Frank Lloyd Wright designed for the Kaufmann family in the Laurel Highlands (highly recommended); and my extended family (less highly recommended.)
Notice that I said noteworthy, not surprising: It’s no shock that a company that has a history of hitting the right note with consumers—Open Hearts with Jane Seymour is just one example—continues to introduce lines with great potential. And it’s even less surprising now, considering Signet’s size (its 3,500 stores make it the world’s largest specialty jeweler by store count and second only to Chow Tai Fook in sales), spending power and vertical integration. (Signet became a De Beers sightholder last year.)
Here are a few of the product highlights that caught my ear on the earnings call.
--Alex and Ani. Let’s start off with the big one. As we reported (perhaps under-reported) last week, Signet CEO Mark Light said on the call that they would be testing the popular fashion bangle brand in 108 of the approximately 250 Jared the Galleria of Jewelry stores beginning mid-month. Following a question from an analyst, he made it clear that it wouldn’t be an Alex and Ani line designed exclusively for Jared but, rather, just an assortment of the brand’s already existing products.
--Star Wars. Go ahead. Watch the trailer for The Force Awakens below. I did while I was writing this, twice.
As everyone likely knows by now, the seventh installment in the epic space soap opera is set for release this December. Just this week, we’ve reported on two companies that have received licenses to sell Star Wars-themed fine jewelry, Berlin-based designer Malaika Raiss and Signet. Light said Kay Jewelers will be “one of select jewelers” that will peddle jewelry and beads based on the uber-popular movie franchise this holiday season.
WATCH: The trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Disney, which added Star Wars to its stable when paid $4 billion for Lucasfilm in 2012, is putting together a massive retail push for Star Wars VII, and analysts predict the new film could generate as much as $5 billion in merchandise sales in its first year of release.
The push actually starts today, Sept. 4, with the official release of The Force Awakens merchandise
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
on “Force Friday.” You can see the Charmed Memories Star Wars beads that Signet is selling on the Kay Jewelers website.
I don’t know how sales of Star Wars jewelry will stand up to, say, toys, lunch boxes, backpacks, etc., but I think jewelers would be happy with even a small cut of that estimated $5 billion. Not to mention, what retailer wouldn’t want to be involved in any kind of event that gets consumers inspired to buy? Excited, must they be.
--Miracle Links. Miracle Links are circular pendants available in karat gold or set with colored gemstones and diamonds that are a subtle take on personalized jewelry, which continues to be popular. A new mom has one larger link that represents herself and can tack on additional links in varying metal and stone colors as additional children are born. I can see this product having widespread appeal.
--Chosen Diamond. Signet hasn’t released a ton of detail on this one just yet and so far the test market is pretty small, only 60 Jared stores. Light said it will “resonate with the sentimentalist customer that Jared attracts,” as customers will be able to trace the journey of their diamond from mine to market. It sounds a lot like Forevermark, which is still being tested in select Jared stores, four in Virginia and six in Maryland.
There’s also a “new must-have jewelry product” that Signet first mentioned at its investor conference in June and that Light referenced again in the call last week. Whatever this “must-have” item is, Signet will be selling it in all its stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. beginning in late October and will support it with “one of the most comprehensive marketing programs in the history of our company,” Light said.
Enjoy the long weekend. It is shaping up to be an interesting fall.
I don’t know how sales of Star Wars jewelry will stand up to, say, toys, lunch boxes, backpacks, etc., but I think jewelers would be happy with even a small cut of that estimated $5 billion. Not to mention, what retailer wouldn’t want to be involved in any kind of event that gets consumers inspired to buy? Excited, must they be.
--Miracle Links. Miracle Links are circular pendants available in karat gold or set with colored gemstones and diamonds that are a subtle take on personalized jewelry, which continues to be popular. A new mom has one larger link that represents herself and can tack on additional links in varying metal and stone colors as additional children are born. I can see this product having widespread appeal.
--Chosen Diamond. Signet hasn’t released a ton of detail on this one just yet and so far the test market is pretty small, only 60 Jared stores. Light said it will “resonate with the sentimentalist customer that Jared attracts,” as customers will be able to trace the journey of their diamond from mine to market. It sounds a lot like Forevermark, which is still being tested in select Jared stores, four in Virginia and six in Maryland.
There’s also a “new must-have jewelry product” that Signet first mentioned at its investor conference in June and that Light referenced again in the call last week. Whatever this “must-have” item is, Signet will be selling it in all its stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. beginning in late October and will support it with “one of the most comprehensive marketing programs in the history of our company,” Light said.
Enjoy the long weekend. It is shaping up to be an interesting fall.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
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.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
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.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
