The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
Shaftel Diamonds Opens New Showroom
The family-owned jeweler cut the ribbon on a 3,500-square-foot space in Houston, featuring a coffee lounge and outdoor seating.

The family-owned jeweler moved from the ground floor of The Jewelry Building, a communal space in Houston where jewelers set up shop, to its own space on nearby San Felipe Street.
The 3,500-square-foot space, which opened in December, features a private showing room, a cocktail and coffee lounge, and outdoor seating.
The showroom was designed to improve the overall customer experience, the company said in a press release about the opening.
“Customers can create their start-to-finish looks by conceptualizing the design with the Shaftels, from picking the stone to manufacturing the piece—every aspect is done under the same roof,” said Shaftel Diamonds.
The jeweler specializes in engagement rings, diamonds, and colored gemstones.
Founder Keith Shaftel started the business in 1978 as a wholesale supplier of loose diamonds and colored gemstones. Its first showroom opened to the public in 2001.
Over the last 42 years, Shaftel Diamonds evolved into a custom jeweler, priding itself on one-of-a-kind inventory. It also operates as a jewelry wholesaler and watch retailer.
The jeweler has styled local and national celebrities with its pieces appearing on fashion expert Melissa Rivers, actress Yara Shahidi, and model Kourtney Kellar.
The Shaftel family is involved in nearly every aspect of the business.
Danny Shaftel, Keith’s son, serves as general manager and runs the business alongside his father.
Danny’s wife, Iris Shaftel, is the fashion consultant, and his daughter Leah Shaftel is the content manager. Gaby Shaftel, Keith’s daughter, is the bookkeeper and office manager.
For more information about Shaftel Diamonds, visit the company’s website.
The Latest

Our Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.

Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.


Movado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.

The two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.

Fourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.

The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.

Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”

This year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.

The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.

The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.

The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.

This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

Ara Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.





















