Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
What you might have missed
A roundup of the major chain stores that’ll be open on Thanksgiving Day and one independent retailer’s plan to compete with big-box Black Friday deals were the top stories on National Jeweler last week.
New York--Here are the five most popular stories from NationalJeweler.com and the three most popular posts from the 10X Blog for the week of Nov. 16 to 22, according to Google Analytics.
NationalJeweler.com
1. Which retailers will be open on Thanksgiving Day?
With the increasing backlash against stores that opt to open for shopping on this family-driven holiday, National Jeweler looks at which stores will and won’t open their physical stores on turkey day this year.
2. A plan for pulling in customers on Black Friday.
One New York jeweler is aiming to compete with big-box retailers on Black Friday with a new deal for its customers that involves a camera and a television.
3. Jewelry auction website Bidz to liquidate.
This story from July details the dissolution of online auction website Bidz.com.
4. 5 jewels that once belonged to Lauren Bacall.
This spring, Bonhams New York will auction a 700-piece collection from the estate of film star Lauren Bacall, including 30 of her best jewels from top brands like Cartier and Chanel as well as a few from her personal favorite, well-known designer Jean Schlumberger.
5. Index tracking fancy color diamond prices launched.
The new Fancy Color Research Foundation has launched, focusing on tracking prices and supporting sales of fancy color diamonds, particularly yellow, pink and blue stones.
10X
1. Retail words of the year.
After Oxford Dictionaries named vape, normcore and slacktivism as its top words of the year, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff takes a look at the words she thinks have shaped the retail industry in 2014 in part one of this three-part blog.
2. To a minimum.
Celebrities have been stepping onto the red carpet this fall in minimal jewelry, swapping their statement-making baubles for stud earrings and simple ring designs that create a sleek, understated look. See the best looks in this blog from Associate Editor Brecken Branstrator.
3. Jewelry for every woman’s ‘hero aspect.’
After an office visit from designer Lisa Kim, Branstrator rounds up a few of the best pieces from Kim’s new “Windlords” collection for 2015, a feminine-yet-edgy line that draws from her love of mythology, fantasy literature and ancient history.
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.






















