The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
10 Jewelry News Stories You Might Have Missed
Saying goodbye to a beloved executive, a surprise store closing, the beautiful gemstones that sold at auction, and more.

Bob McIntire, who spent two decades at Finlay Fine Jewelry and the past 10 years at Asurion, died July 25 after going into cardiac arrest.
His wife of 30 years, Michele McIntire, spoke to National Jeweler for an article remembering Bob (No. 5).
Also in the news were first-half financial results, an update on consumer confidence, and auction results from Christie’s and Bonhams.
Read on for more of the top jewelry news from last week.
1) LVMH’s Watch, Jewelry Sales Down 38% So Far This Year
Declining orders from retailers have hit TAG Heuer and Hublot hard, though TAG’s new smartwatch has “been a great success.”
2) Boucheron, Pomellato Struggle in Kering’s H1
The jewelry brands’ limited exposure to the recovering Asia-Pacific market dulled its performance in the first half of the year.
3) Why Neiman Marcus Is Closing Its Hudson Yards Store
The department store chain is rethinking its store count as its customer base shifts to online shopping.
4) As COVID-19 Cases Rise, July Consumer Confidence Falls
States that experienced an uptick in COVID-19 cases saw large declines in consumer confidence.
5) Bob McIntire, a Respected and Kind Executive, Dies at 52
Known for his professionalism and his sense of humor, McIntire spent 20 years running fine jewelry departments for Finlay before moving on to Asurion.
6) Fabienne Lupo Steps Down as Head of FHH
She had served as president and CEO of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie since its founding 15 years ago.
7) 116-Carat Diamond Earns More Than $6M at Auction
And a number of signed jewels smashed their pre-sale estimates at Christie’s New York jewelry auction.
8) These 2 Kashmir Sapphires Sold for $1.6M at Auction
One went for more than two times its pre-sale low estimate at Bonhams’ New York Jewels sale Tuesday.
9) Squirrel Spotting: The Need for an Early Christmas
With COVID-19 creating so much uncertainty, retailers need to get in the Christmas spirit sooner rather than later this year, Peter Smith writes.
10) Royal Chain Is Asking Stores to Nominate ‘Hero’ Customers
The manufacturer will gift jewelry to community do-gooders monthly.
The Latest

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.


Longtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.

The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.

Museum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.

The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.

The retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.

“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.

The Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.

Onyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.

Solomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.





















