Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
What you might have missed
Identifying people ‘wired’ for sales and a story that focused on the supply and demand dynamics for alexandrite were among the site’s most popular stories 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. 21 to 27, according to Google Analytics.
NationalJeweler.com
1. How to identify people ‘wired’ for sales. This Q&A focused on a new book by Leo Schachter & Co. executive Peter Smith that details how to identify the job candidates who possess the traits that make successful salespeople.
2. Analysts speculate the end is near for Sears. Sliding sales, growing losses and the details of recent loan given to the retailer by its own CEO have at least one analyst singing The End when he thinks about the Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based retailer.
3. Rocks On: Hard to find alexandrite picks up in price. This month’s Rocks On examines the supply and demand dynamics for alexandrite, and shows examples of recent pieces created with this color-changing stone.
4. 75 years of Cartier history to go on display. Beginning in November, the Denver Art Museum will be the exclusive host of an exhibition of more than 250 objects created by Cartier between 1900 and 1975.
5. Mikimoto unveils new global ad campaign. The pearl brand is set to launch its first new global advertising campaign in more than a decade this fall.
10X Blog
1. Should jewelers hide price tags? Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff asks the question following a report by NPR on a jewelry store in Brooklyn that chooses to do so, but may be changing its ways.
2. Using jewelry to harness human energy. Associate Editor Brecken Branstrator writes about an industrial designer with an interesting take on the future potential uses of jewelry.
3. A gemstone cap that can read your mind. Keeping a focus on the unusual, Branstrator details a gemstone cap that is the modern-day equivalent of the mood ring.
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.






















