Sotheby’s will auction the diamond, which it says is “arguably the most significant pink diamond to ever appear at auction,” in June.
Thank You, Mom
In honor of Mother’s Day, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares two Mother’s Day commercials she thinks are really cute.

Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday and, for once, I am on top of it. My card was in the mail on Tuesday and I’ve already worked out what my mother wants: a book, not flowers, and given to her in person the next time I see her, not mailed.
Got it.
While a book is always my mother’s No. 1 choice for presents, it seems like many moms across the country will be receiving jewelry this year. According to the National Retail Federation, 35 percent of U.S. shoppers plan to pick up a piece of jewelry for mom this year, spending an average of $96 a pop.
So, what type of jewelry appeals to moms? It is, and has been for quite some time, personalized pieces, charms that can be stamped with the names of their children or rings set with their birthstones.
It follows course, then, that the brands that are going to advertise most heavily, and most effectively, around Mother’s Day are those that specialize in personalized pieces.
Two such commercials that caught my eye this year were from Pandora and Alex and Ani.
While I know Pandora has engendered much anger and bitterness among independent jewelers in the United States--and rightfully so--I would be lying if I said I wasn’t touched by the brand’s Mother’s Day commercial.
{youtube} fnXK_hbnpEo {/youtube}
For the commercial, Pandora said it got eight daughters to write a single sentence thanking their mother. Their moms then came into a room with all eight sentences framed on the wall and tried to pick out which one came from their daughter.
Called “Unique Thank You,” it is the second phase of Pandora’s current, female self-purchaser-focused advertising campaign “Unique As We Are.”
As for Alex and Ani, I think the brand in general does a really good job with their commercials, and this Mother’s Day ad is no exception.
{youtube} apsMHF3xeBY {/youtube}
Alex and Ani has another Mother’s Day spot as well, this one featuring a grown daughter and her mother but I did not identify with it at all. The storyline of this commercial is that they love doing everything together, which is nice, but I think my mother and I pre-date the days of mother-daughter bonding on this level.
My mother never tried to be my friend; she was always my mother. For that, I will always be grateful.
So, thanks
The Latest

The retailer, recently acquired by Signet Jewelers, will lay off 119 employees in July.

The Swiss watchmaker introduced 17 new models at Watches & Wonders Geneva.

Distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.

As part of the promotion, Smith will share his sales expertise during a 90-minute training session.


The “rêve” collection’s engagement rings and wedding bands are geared toward “sustainability minded customers.”

Bensons Jewelers closed for good Feb. 24, impacted in part by the decline in foot traffic downtown since the onset of the pandemic.

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

Kolja Kiofsky has been with the crystal and jewelry company since 2010.

The Kruse GWS Auctions sale will include the replica “Taj Mahal” necklace Elizabeth Taylor made with Avon as well as a costume piece Marilyn Monroe wore.

Massimo Basei is moving up, while Chief Commercial Officer Martino Pessina is stepping down.

AGTA GemFair and the Denver Gem & Mineral Show also will have a presence on the show floor.

Sold by Christie’s Hong Kong, this masterwork of complications now holds the record for most expensive watch ever auctioned online.

The watch company expects first-quarter sales to fall as much as 15 percent due to inflation and tough comps.

Adam O’Grady, general manager of the Lightbox Lab, has taken on the new role and will report directly to Lightbox CEO Antoine Borde.

The watch marketplace gathered data from 1.3 million collectors, highlighting the most popular timepieces and exploring value appreciation.

Burgundy has opted not to exercise its option to buy the mining claims Gibb River Diamonds currently owns.

Patented and specialty cuts now can receive an 8X Proprietary Certificate, which can be customized to include a company’s brand and logo.

The organization said it will recognize those who exemplify the idea that doing good is good business.

Kendall Jenner once again is fronting the French brand’s campaign, joined by model and dancer Alton Mason.

The CEOs of Signet, Helzberg, and GIA spoke on a water conservation panel, and had lakes named in their companies’ honor.

Sales of the sleek sterling silver and diamond design will go to nonprofit organization charity: water.

Expected to earn up to $4.5 million, the “Jarretière” bracelet is the star of Christie’s “The Magnificent Jewels of Anne Eisenhower” sale.

With jewelry sales coming down from their pandemic highs, retailers need to do all they can to retain existing customers, Peter Smith says.

Jewelry historians, authors, and experts will explore the works of Tiffany & Co., Oscar Heyman, Verdura, and more.

Johnson joined the retailer in 1987, establishing its first human resources department.

Supplier Spotlight Presented by IGI