Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
What you might have missed
The opening of a class action lawsuit against EGL International and major retailers in early 2015 and the closing of another lawsuit against a retailer for using the lab’s grading reports were among the top stories on National Jeweler last week.
New York--Here are the five most popular stories from NationalJeweler.com for the week of Dec. 14 to 20, according to Google Analytics.
1. Attorney: Grading report class action is coming. In early 2015, a class-action lawsuit will be filed against EGL International and “major retailers,” charging that the lab systematically over-graded diamonds that the retailers then knowingly sold to consumers. There are expected to be between 10 and 20 plaintiffs to start.
2. Remaining lawsuits filed over EGL reports are settled. The three remaining lawsuits filed against Tennessee retailer Genesis Diamonds over its use of EGL International grading reports were settled.
3. Retailer does a diamond take on Apple Watch. Without knowing many specifics about where Apple would sell its smartwatch or final product specifications, Mervis Diamond Importers bolstered its holiday gift guide with a prototype of its own version of the smartwatch bedecked with over 15 carats of diamonds.
4. 5 modern forces that shaped the jewelry industry. In part one of a two-part series, columnist Jan Brassem examines the first two of the five factors that he says have transformed the jewelry industry over the past 35 years.
5. JVC: Be careful about the grading reports you use. The Jewelers Vigilance Committee recently sent out an alert reminding the industry that not only must the diamonds they sell be accurately graded but the grading system disclosed as well.
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.






















