From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
What you might have missed
In case you may have missed the industry activity last week, here are the five most popular stories from NationalJeweler.com and the top three from the blog, 10X, for the week of Aug. 24 to 30, according to Google Analytics.
New York--Leave early for the holiday weekend? Too busy with jewelry sales to have a chance to look at National Jeweler’s daily newsletter?
In case you may have missed the industry activity last week, here are the five most popular stories from NationalJeweler.com and the top three from the blog, 10X, for the week of Aug. 24 to 30, according to Google Analytics.
NationalJeweler.com
1. 14 great pieces from the Emmys and VMAs. Drop earrings and diamond pieces dominated the red carpet this year at the Primetime Emmy and MTV Video Music awards held in August. Check out National Jeweler’s roundup to see the best pieces.
2. A retailer’s solution to diamond grading confusion. With the diamond grading confusion that currently exists in the industry, jeweler and guest columnist James Alperin says labs that want to give diamonds “trumped-up” grades should develop their own grading system and not use the same scale popularized by the GIA.
3. What jewelers can learn from crimes in California. After a recent wave of crimes in California, David Sexton, vice president of loss prevention consulting at Jewelers Mutual, reminds jewelers of valuable tips for retailers everywhere and how they can remain vigilant.
4. Rocks On: Tanzanite comes into its own. National Jeweler takes a look at what’s happening lately in the tanzanite market--including pricing, news updates and design trends--and showcases a number of tanzanite jewelry pieces in the second installment of Rocks On.
5. Pandora names another new CEO. Last week, Pandora announced that CEO Allan Leighton will step down in March 2015 and be replaced by tobacco company executive Anders Colding Friis, who will be the fifth CEO of the Danish jewelry brand since the company went public in 2010.
10X
1. A primer on lead glass-filled rubies. With the recent consumer press reports accusing major chains of selling lead glass-filled rubies without proper disclosure, Associate Editor Brecken Branstrator takes a look at the rules for selling these stones.
2. These are your grandmother’s pearls. Senior Editor Hannah Connorton details how she has come to appreciate her great-aunt’s jewelry and how she wears it in a modern way.
3. A new take on lace. Associate Editor Brecken Branstrator interviews jewelry designer Monica Knutsson about her gold-dipped lace jewelry.
The Latest

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Jost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine


From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.

The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.




















