Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
OtherAug 05, 2014
Five new, potentially good reads for August
Online book discussion website Goodreads has just come out with its list of new releases for the month of August, and National Jeweler has chosen four from the assortment that could be useful to business owners.
This month’s selection of books from Goodreads.com includes a lesson in unleashing “bad” creativity and the story of a man who used smarts and force to pave the way for modern-day Las Vegas.
New York--Online book discussion website Goodreads has just come out with its list of new releases for the month of August, and National Jeweler has chosen four from the assortment that could be useful to business owners.
This is the fourth installment of National Jeweler’s Goodreads picks, which also ran in April, May, June and July. A staff pick is included as the last read in each.
Among August’s reads are Make it Mighty Ugly, a lesson in harnessing fear of creativity; a historical novel following an innovative man who helped to shape modern-day Las Vegas; and Violins of Hope, which explores the importance of violins during the Holocaust and a man who made hundreds to honor those who perished.
The following list includes a brief summary of each book and links to additional information on Goodreads.
1. Make it Mighty Ugly: Exercises and Advice for Getting Creative Even When it Ain’t Pretty
Kim P. Werker
What better way to tackle a fear of creativity than to create something, well, mighty ugly? Werker encourages her readers to do just that in this book, which encourages its readers to pick up their pen, paintbrush or scissors and make something mighty ugly to get “failure” out of the way. Through essays, interviews, exercises and prompts, Make it Mighty Ugly dares its reader to get crafty to banish their creative fears. This book is 240 pages.
2. Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion, the Texas Gangster Who Created Vegas Poker
Doug J. Swanson
Blood Aces tells the story of the crucial role Benny Binion--cowboy, pioneering casino owner, gangster and founder of the World Series of Poker--played in shaping modern Las Vegas, through vision, determination and brutal expediency. His formula? Run a good business, cultivate the big boys, kill your enemies and own the cops. Journalist and author Swanson uses once-secret government documents and reporting to show how Binion outsmarted his adversaries, including J. Edgar Hoover, in this untold piece of American history. This book is 368 pages.
3. Positive: A Memoir
Paige Rawl, Ali Benjamin
In this memoir, Rawl shares her experience of being HIV-positive since birth, a condition that didn’t define her until she disclosed it to a friend in middle school and faced social repercussions that led to an attempt to end her life. The failed attempt, however, proved to be only the beginning for
Rawl, and she shares how choosing compassion over cruelty can change the life of a stigmatized individual. This memoir is 288 pages.
4. Violins of Hope: Violins of the Holocaust--Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind’s Darkest Hour
James A. Grymes
In Violins of Hope, Grymes tells the stories of the violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust and of the Israeli violinmaker dedicated to bringing these instruments back to life. It also explores how the violin assumed extraordinary new roles within the Jewish community, from liberator to savior, from comforter to, surprisingly, avenger. Ultimately, this book expresses how these instruments during the Holocaust represented strength and optimism for the future and the man who dedicated 20 years to restoring them as a tribute to those who were lost. This book is 336 pages.
5. Editor’s recommendation: High Crimes: The Fate of Everest in an Age of Greed
Michael Kodas
Senior Editor Hannah Connorton just discovered and begun this non-fiction novel, a first-hand account of journalist Michael Kodas’ life on top of the world, and the changes Mount Everest has seen in past years caused by a tremendous boom in traffic. Here, Kodas explores cases of beatings, thugs, drugs, prostitution, coercion, threats and abandonments on the mountain’s highest slopes, and how these actions have become the rule rather than the exception.
More on Other
The Latest
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
