ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
EditorsAug 24, 2012
Sterling’s seeing blue, and brown
Sterling Jewelers made a number of big announcements during its conference call on Thursday, not the least of which is that it is now a “Select Diamantaire” of mining giant Rio Tinto, and that it's making a bigger push into...
Sterling Jewelers made a number of big announcements during its conference call on Thursday, not the least of which is that it is now a “Select Diamantaire” of mining giant Rio Tinto, and that it's making a bigger push into the world of colored diamonds.
The company is introducing “Shades of Wonder,” the new name for a line of brown and white diamond jewelry previously called “Shades of Australia.” The Shades campaign is part of Rio Tinto’s new “Diamonds with a Story” initiative, which they introduced in Las Vegas.
Diamonds with a Story is designed to highlight Rio Tinto’s social and environmental efforts in the areas around the world where it mines diamonds while giving retailers a story to tell about the product when they are trying to sell it. It’s also a way of providing marketing support for diamonds, filling the void left by the absence of De Beers.
Separately, Sterling announced that it is also is testing a line of blue diamond jewelry, which a Sterling spokesman said would be created with irradiated blue diamonds. (Natural blue diamonds are comparatively more expensive, with one industry source estimating that a 1-carat natural fancy blue would wholesale for about $200,000.) “Blue is just another color trend that is happening right now,” Mike Barnes, CEO of Sterling parent company Signet, said during the company’s earnings call on Thursday.
Sterling acknowledged that while the goods for Shades of Wonder are from a Rio Tinto mine--primarily the Argyle Diamond Mine--they are not similar to those being supplied to Sterling for its rough-to-polish initiative as a Select Diamantaire (similar to a De Beers sightholder). However, the program “strengthens and leverages” the relationship between the two companies, the spokesman said.
On the technology side, Sterling said it is implementing “digital sales technology” in both Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry stores. Translation: Each store will be equipped with a number of electronic tablets, brand not specified, that allows for browsing and shopping on Kay.com and Jared.com while in-store.
The stores already are equipped with wireless, though access is limited to Kay.com and Jared.com.
I don’t know if Sterling is considering expanding this access in the future--and I understand not wanting to give the public free rein over the entire Internet--but allowing people to visit sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to share their shopping experience would be a good idea.
It’s also not a bad idea to give customers access to competitors’ sites, such as Blue Nile or Zales.com. They are going to check out the competitions’ price and selection anyway--who doesn’t these days --so why not just let them do it while they are still in your store?
More on Editors
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
