The revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
The DPA and the potential to LoveDiamonds
If Sally Morrison, the Diamond Producers Association’s new director of marketing, can create something for diamonds that looks anything like LoveGold, it will benefit the entire industry, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff writes.
This week, the Diamond Producers Association, the group formed earlier this year by the world’s major miners, announced that it has tapped longtime jewelry industry marketer Sally Morrison as its new managing director of marketing, bringing her back to where she started in this industry.
After a short stint with Forevermark, she left in 2012 to head public relations for the London-based World Gold Council, doing much the same for the metal as she had for diamonds. While at the WGC, she developed what I think is one of the most forward-thinking initiatives in the jewelry industry, LoveGold.
To sum it up for those who aren’t familiar, LoveGold is a social media-centric marketing effort launched in 2013 to get consumers, particularly young consumers, interested in gold jewelry and to get them to understand the value of something that lasts in this very disposable age.
LoveGold has a beautiful, modern-looking website as well as a presence on all the major social media channels: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The photography is beautiful, the designs are on-trend and, perhaps most importantly, the conversation is taking place where millennials spend time: on social media.
The innovative initiative quickly caught the industry’s attention.
At the end of 2013, LoveGold found itself among the nominees for the 2014 Gem Awards but lost out to an entity with a slightly longer history, Tiffany & Co. That same year, LoveGold’s Academy Awards campaign generated more than 2 million impressions on Twitter and was highlighted as a success story on the social media site.
[caption id="attachment_3531" align="alignright" width="800"]
Gold jewelry demand also increased during this time but, then, the World Gold Council did an odd thing.
They had one of the best generic marketing initiatives going in the industry and they got rid of it, they “spun it off.” Though the WGC retains a minority stake
(As a side note, I have heard that the WGC cut jewelry marketing completely. I asked them about it and here’s the statement they sent to me: “The role of the World Gold Council is to stimulate and sustain the demand for gold, and one of the ways in which we do this is to act as a catalyst for ideas and initiatives, which brings gold to new audiences or develop greater access. The jewellery industry is just one of these avenues, and we continue to be involved in a number of marketing initiatives to support the sector.”)
Now, I understand there are some gold jewelry manufacturers who felt that LoveGold featured too many gemstone-set pieces and not enough big, bold gold jewelry. They felt it was raising the bar as much for jewelry in general as it was for gold jewelry specifically.
I can understand that, but I think people need to take a longer view of what the initiative was trying to accomplish: the creation of an online community of young people who are interested in, talking about and buying jewelry.
What’s more, LoveGold looks and feels modern, with a website that looks like it was created in 2013 instead of 2003 and a handle on social media. It’s exactly what this industry needs.
So many jewelry companies have logos, advertising and, sad to say, even product that appears to have been pulled out of a time capsule, and yet they are incredulous when young people pick trips, handbags and electronics over jewelry.
I know that it’s still somewhat up in the air how much marketing will be done by the Diamond Producers Association, which, in addition to Morrison, will be led by board Chair Jean-Marc Lieberherr of Rio Tinto, Vice Chair Stephen Lussier of De Beers and a yet-to-be-named executive director.
It already has been noted that the DPA doesn’t have anywhere close to the amount of money De Beers did in the halcyon days of A Diamond is Forever, and some have even suggested that the group is less about marketing and more about the diamond miners banding together against the diamond growers.
Yet social media has made it so companies today don’t have to spend $200 million a year to reach large numbers of people, which is exactly what LoveGold is doing.
If Morrison can create something for the diamond industry that looks like LoveGold, it will go a long way toward filling the generic marketing void.
The Latest

The special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.

Here are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

Found by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.


Our Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.

The group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

The big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.

Marie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.

At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.

Ilana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.

It was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.

The approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.

The men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.

The bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.

The industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.

The panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.

Inspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.

The company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.

The jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.

Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”

Those born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.

The platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.

Jim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.

When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.

The “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.






















