Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
OtherDec 22, 2013
New website endings and the jewelry industry
New "top-level domains"--the word that comes to the right of the dot in an Internet address--are now available, including ".diamonds". Here's what jewelry companies need to know about these new web address endings.
Sara E. Yood is assistant general counsel with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, which provides general educational resources and jeweler-specific advice. The advice is strictly the opinion of the JVC.
When you type an Internet address into your web browser, the address must be unique so that computers know where to find the website you wish to visit. For years, those who wished to operate a website have been limited, when creating the web address, to a small list of designations following the “dot," such as “.com”, “.net” or “.biz." While this limitation meant that website addresses have remained standardized, it has limited the creation of new and unique website addresses, thus stifling some creativity.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (“ICANN”) is a nonprofit, multi-stakeholder, worldwide organization that administers and governs how Internet addresses work. This organization ensures that any web address used accurately targets the desired website. ICANN has recently offered hundreds of new designations for the domain endings -- “the right side of the dot” or “top-level domains” (TLDs). Private companies have been bidding for administration authority over these new designations. Those which are generic, “gTLDs”, will provide hundreds of new and different website endings for Internet addresses in order to greatly expand the available number of website addresses.
Many of these new gTLDs are extremely appropriate for the jewelry industry. Endings such as “.diamonds”, “.jewelry” and “.gold” are widely desirable. Imagine you are a diamond retailer in New York City who wants to create a website. In the past, you might have been limited to a website address such as www.thebestnycdiamondsever.net. Now, with new gTLDs, you may be able to purchase a website address that is much more memorable, such as www.nyc.diamonds, in which “.diamonds” replaces “.com” or “.net”. This customization could be important to businesses looking to create memorable brands and a dynamic online presence.
There are a number of different entities that will be allowing access to these new gTLDs. One such company that has purchased the right to administer some of these gTLD designations is a new private organization called Donuts, www.donuts.co. Donuts is currently rolling out the gTLDs over which they have authority. One of these gTLDs is “.diamonds”. As required by ICANN, DONUTS has already set up ways to prevent a registered trademark from being used in new website addresses without permission. A website address such as www.EdwinPearl.diamonds could be very lucrative if not purchased by Edwin Pearl itself.
If you wish to protect your trademark in this context, the easiest way to
do so is to use the Trademark Clearinghouse, which is a central registration database for trademarks, administered by ICANN and used by all the companies who administer gTLDs. If you wish to prevent someone else claiming your trademark to use as a website address you can register your trademark now with the Trademark Clearinghouse (http://trademark-clearinghouse.com/, with fees of $150 for one year.) With this registration, you will be notified if someone is trying to register your trademark in a new website address.
Once you have registered with Trademark Clearinghouse, you will also be eligible to participate in a three-month “sunrise” period during which you can, in advance, apply to Donuts for a web address with the new gTLD. Donuts is preparing to offer .diamonds for early registration to companies that have registered their trademarks with the Trademark Clearinghouse from now until Feb. 14, 2014. If you do not have a registered trademark, the gTLD will be offered to the public on Feb. 26, 2014.
Check with your current web site host to see if they are offering additional services related to these new gTLDs. JVC will continue to monitor the addition of new gTLDs that affect the jewelry industry. If you have any questions about the use of trademarks in domain names, please do not hesitate to contact JVC at 212-997-2002 or sara@jvclegal.org.
Once you have registered with Trademark Clearinghouse, you will also be eligible to participate in a three-month “sunrise” period during which you can, in advance, apply to Donuts for a web address with the new gTLD. Donuts is preparing to offer .diamonds for early registration to companies that have registered their trademarks with the Trademark Clearinghouse from now until Feb. 14, 2014. If you do not have a registered trademark, the gTLD will be offered to the public on Feb. 26, 2014.
Check with your current web site host to see if they are offering additional services related to these new gTLDs. JVC will continue to monitor the addition of new gTLDs that affect the jewelry industry. If you have any questions about the use of trademarks in domain names, please do not hesitate to contact JVC at 212-997-2002 or sara@jvclegal.org.
More on Other
The Latest
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
