Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
What you might have missed
More reactions to RapNet’s decision to stop listing diamonds with EGL reports, the sale of a Mellon’s jewelry, and another bank leaving the industry were a few of the top stories on National Jeweler last week.
New York--Here are the five most popular stories from NationalJeweler.com and the top three from the website’s blog, 10X, for the week of Sept. 14 to 20, according to Google Analytics.
NationalJeweler.com
1. RapNet’s EGL decision ignites flurry of reactions. RapNet’s decision to stop listing all EGL-graded diamonds has resulted in a number of different reactions from grading labs with the “EGL” initials and diamond trading platforms. EGL International was the latest to issue a statement about the decision.
2. In NY, Sotheby’s to sell jewels of a Mellon. On Nov. 20 and 21, Sotheby’s New York will auction a number of jewelry pieces that used to belong to horticulturalist and art collector Rachel Lambert Mellon. The sale’s expected top lot is a 9.75-carat pear-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond that is expected to sell for up to $15 million.
3. Antwerp Diamond Bank to shut down. Yet another bank is poised to exit the diamond and jewelry industry. KBC announced Friday that the sale of the Antwerp Diamond Bank to Yinren Group has fallen through, which forces it to close the bank per its agreement with the European Commission.
4. Lesotho mine yields 23-carat pink diamond. Storm Mountain Diamonds unearthed a 23.82-carat pink diamond from its Kao mine in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Dubbed the “Lesotho Storm,” the stone will be up for sale in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Antwerp between Sept. 21 and Oct. 7 by Fusion/Hennig Tenders, alongside two large yellow diamonds weighing 51 and 35 carats and more than 30,000 carats of run-of-mine production.
5. JCP aims to snag the well-heeled modern bride. J.C. Penney is elevating its Modern Bride-branded line of engagement rings by offering the “Signature Collection,” featuring rings priced between $2,500 and $10,000. The retailer also will begin selling loose diamonds on its website so that brides-to-be can create custom pieces.
10X Blog
1. A watch from Apple could lift the bunch. Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff discusses whether or not the Apple Watch could not only boost the smartwatch category in general, but reinvigorate the Millennial generation’s interest in timepieces as a whole.
2. Brazilian gemstones on the rise. This nearly 2-year-old blog seems to have come back around in popularity for readers. In this December 2012 post, National Jeweler columnist and Graduate Gemologist Edward Boehm, owner of gemstone supply and consultancy RareSource, outlines a trip he took to the
3. 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.
The Latest

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

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

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.


The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.






















