The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Galatea Releases Pearl Necklace That Plays the Bible
The company also announced that its Momento pearl jewelry is now iPhone compatible.

San Dimas, Calif.--Just in time for Easter, Galatea Jewelry by Artist has launched the “Bible in a Pearl,” a piece of pearl jewelry that contains an audio version of the entire book.
By tapping the pearl necklace against a mobile phone, the near-field communication (NFC) chip allows users to play messages or view texts or images—in this case, the full Old and New Testament as well as original voice recordings—via an app.
The NFC chip also accesses “The Jesus Film,” a movie about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Galatea said the Bible Pearl is protected by two U.S. patents with more pending. The suggested retail pricing for the item ranges from $175 to $915, depending on exact style of necklace.
The company, which is based between the United States and Vietnam, also said that its NFC chip-powered patented “Momento” pearl, gemstone and diamond jewelry now works with iPhones 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus and X.
Previously, it was compatible with Android phones and tablets only.
First introduced in 2014, Galatea’s Momento jewelry encompasses more than 75 jewelry styles, including the new Bible Pearl.
One of those styles is what Galatea calls “the world’s first interactive engagement diamond,” sold as a semi-mount, which can be programmed to access anything from a user’s “proposal to wedding vows and images and video links to the ceremony,” said Galatea founder Chi Huynh.
Apple unlocked the NFC part of its operating system for app developers last September.
“We’ve been waiting for Apple to allow us to adapt our technology for the iOS operating system since we debuted this product three years ago,” said Huynh. “We invested heavily in the technology and the patents because we believe this is the future for fine jewelry.”
Galatea is largely known for its hand-carved cultured Tahitian and freshwater pearls. In 2005, the company introduced the patented Galatea Pearl,
The Latest

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.


To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

Luca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.

The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

The De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”

The Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.

Industry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.