As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
At auction, color was king in 2014
Auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s brought the hammer down on more than $1 billion worth of jewels last year. Here’s a look at the lots that were top off the block.

Christie’s jewelry total for the year was $754.7 million, an 11 percent increase over 2013 and the highest annual result ever achieved for jewelry at auction house.
Sotheby’s came in second with $603 million in jewels sold last year, the highest annual total in company history and its third consecutive year of record sales in the category.
Popular sellers between the two auction houses were large blue gemstones, including the 13.22-carat “Winston Blue” diamond, a 392.52-carat sapphire named the “Blue Belle of Asia” and the “Zoe Diamond,” another blue diamond, this one weighing 9.75 carats.
Strong results also were seen for colored diamonds such as the “Graff Vivid Yellow,” a 100.09-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond, and an 8.41-carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond.
Numerous new world auction records also were established between Christie’s and Sotheby’s, notably the highest price paid for a blue diamond (Zoe Diamond), the highest price paid for any jadeite jewelry (the Hutton-Mdivani necklace) and the highest price paid for a yellow diamond (the Graff Vivid Yellow).
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Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.


The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.

The brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.

Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.

Citizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.

Amit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.

Members of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.

Gomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.

Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.

Taylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Its “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.