Associate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
Price Upon Request: Paris High Jewelry, Part I
In the first of a two-part series, National Jeweler explores the new haute joaillerie collections from several storied maisons.

Paris--In the first of a two-part series, National Jeweler explores several storied jewelry maisons’ flirtations with the very heights of jewelry design in their high jewelry collections, presented last week alongside the haute couture showings in Paris.
Opera was the theme that united Chaumet’s four distinct groupings of high jewelry.
The Pastorale Anglaise group, for example, was an ode to the Glyndebourne opera festival held annually in England. The jewelry highlighted spectacular emeralds surrounded by a riot of color gemstones arranged to mimic the pattern of a Scottish tartan.
The Aria Passionata pieces, meanwhile, were a tribute to the emotion of Milanese opera with their mix of red gemstones like rubies and rhodolites, and the Rhapsodie Transatlantique collection interpreted New York opera as a romantic and sophisticated affair in cool-tone white gold accented with vivid pops of color.
De Beers debuted its Lotus collection, of which a rough macle diamond-- a flat, triangular twinned-crystal diamond--was the star, juxtaposed with the diamond company’s more traditional, polished stones on a long necklace.
The water flower gave De Beers plenty of inspiration, whether translated into a cornucopia of white diamonds arranged like “petals” open to the sunlight in brooch form, or as a mix of rough, natural color diamonds set against their cut, white diamond counterparts in styles meant to represent the flower as seen in a mix of shadow and light at various times of the day.
Buccellati’s signature “rigato” engraving and intricate openwork designs were elevated with the incorporation of exquisite gemstones and ornate configurations of diamonds in the Italian house’s haute joaillerie offerings.
Not to be missed was the diamond tiara that featured a removable drop pendant meant to rest on the wearer’s forehead.
Cindy Chao showed pieces representing themes central to her career, flora and fauna, displaying her particular affinity for dragonflies, but also making a departure with the No. X Red Diamond Ribbon Ring, new for 2017.
The ring featured an exquisite 1.51-carat cut-cornered square fancy purplish-red diamond set in 18-karat white gold with an array of white diamonds, all set in 18-karat white gold.
The Latest

Gilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.

A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

Located in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.


The new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.

As the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Jacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.

The Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.

Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.

The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.

The industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.

The nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.

The Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.

The two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.

The single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.

The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.