Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
TrendsMar 29, 2017
Jewelry Historian Details the First 50 Years of Picchiotti
Vivienne Becker has authored a book on the Italian jewelry brand in honor of its 50th anniversary.
The design of the ancient Roman amphitheater inspired Giuseppe Picchiotti when he was designing this round and baguette diamond ring featuring an unheated, untreated 8.05-carat Mozambican ruby center stone.
Basel, Switzerland--Jewelry company Giuseppe Picchiotti, started in the late 1960s, is marking its 50th anniversary this year with a retrospective of its most important pieces and a new book.
Jewelry historian and author Vivienne Becker penned “Picchiotti: The First Fifty Years” with Susan Jacques, president and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America, providing the forward.
On Saturday night in Basel, Picchiotti held a dinner and champagne toast for retailers and press to celebrate its milestone and the new 248-page book. 
Between the many courses, Becker, who also does the “How to Spend It” feature for The Financial Times, spoke about her experience in penning “The First Fifty Years” and in getting to know the family behind the jewelry brand that Giuseppe Picchiotti started in 1967.
Becker traveled to Valencia, Italy last May to meet the Picchiottis and research her book after being introduced to the brand by Joe Padulo.
“They plied me with a lot of good food and even better wine,” Becker joked about her trip to meet the Picchiotti family.
“I had a great time also looking through the design archives, which is something that I absolutely adore to do. I was able to trace the evolution of design since 1967 right through to today. It was really fascinating for me to chart that evolution and to see the innovation that Picchiotti was able to bring to our rather reserved industry in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.”
In honor of its anniversary, Picchiotti also created one new piece marking the year 2017--the L’Anifiteatro ruby ring, which Becker described as “magnificent”--and assembled a retrospective of four pieces of work from over the decades.
The retrospective includes the Colonna Romana ruby and diamond necklace (pictured above) from the 1980s.
The L’Anifiteatro, meanwhile, is set with baguette-cut and round diamonds and centered by an unheated, untreated 8.05-carat Mozambican ruby.
Architecture of Ancient Rome informed the design of both of these pieces.
The necklace was inspired by Roman columns while baguette diamonds of the L’Anifiteatro were set to resemble the stands of an ancient Roman amphitheater surrounding the stage, which is represented by the ruby.
More on Trends
The Latest
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
ColumnistsJul 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Diamond Branding and the Origin ParadoxA podcast prompted Smith to share his views on where origin fits into the natural diamond story and the viability of branded diamonds.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2026
JA Announces 2026 Impact Initiative RecipientsThe association selected eight recipients for the funding program, which is in its second year.
CrimeJul 07, 2026
Thieves Steal Millions in Jewels From France’s Musée LaliqueAround 20 pieces of jewelry were stolen from the museum dedicated to French jeweler and glassmaker René Lalique.
CollectionsJul 07, 2026
Robinson Pelham Is Partying Like It’s 1996The “Summer of ’96” campaign and collection celebrate the year the brand was founded for its 30th anniversary.
SourcingJul 06, 2026
Gemfields CEO Sean Gilbertson Steps DownAfter eight years, Gilbertson is leaving his post at the mining company, which is currently facing a slew of operational challenges.
IndependentsJul 06, 2026
Bachendorf’s To Open Fifth Store In DallasThe new location is set to open this winter, featuring the retailer’s first rotating jewelry designer residency.
MajorsJul 06, 2026
Graff Names BTS Star Jung Kook as New AmbassadorThe pop artist appears in the latest campaign for the “Laurence Graff Signature” collection.
CollectionsJul 06, 2026
Pandora’s New Baroque Pearl Collection Is a Whimsical ‘Wonder’One-of-a-kind pearls take the shape of ice cream cones, frogs, submarines, and other imaginative charms.
SourcingJul 02, 2026
London Diamond Bourse Elects First Female PresidentCharlotte Rose said her election is “a sign that this is an industry capable of change.”
