AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
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
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
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
