This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
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

As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.

Discover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.

When investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.

The “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.


The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Two existing executives have been given new roles.

More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.

Meredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.

It will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”

From design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.

Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.

The designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.

On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.

The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.

The actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.

The company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."

The large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.

Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.

Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.

The diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.

The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.

Between tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.

Designed by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.

However, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.

The pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.