Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
EditorsJul 19, 2019
You Can Almost Shop Directly from Instagram
Plus other updates from the social media channel.
Earlier this year, Instagram rolled out its beta checkout mode, which allows users to shop directly from the platform rather than redirecting to a brand’s website.
San Francisco—Instagram is closer than ever to letting its users shop directly from the platform.
While consumers have been able to shop products featured on the social media channel since late 2016 through product tags that, upon clicking, lead to product information and a call-to-action “Shop Now” button that redirect to brands’ websites, Instagram has streamlined the process with its new checkout feature.
Checkout, which is currently in beta mode and only available in the United States, lets users buy directly without leaving Instagram. The feature launched in March with about 20 brands including Revolve, Nike, and Burberry.
With Checkout, clicking on a product tag brings up its usual product description and a “Checkout on Instagram” button that lets users input their address and payment information to complete the transaction. Those details are stored for future purchases, according to the company.
Notifications about shipment and delivery are also delivered through the platform.
The Checkout beta mode has been available continuously since March, unlike another shopping initiative Instagram announced—shopping directly from influencers, rather than having them tag the brands they’re wearing and provide details in captions. That feature was announced on April 30, but is no longer available, not even in past posts.
It’s likely the checkout feature will be more widely available soon, as Instagram has since launched its very own “Shop” account, highlighting various brands with an emphasis on small, independent businesses, including jewelry companies like Wwake (seen on the Shop channel below).
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @shop (@shop) on May 23, 2019 at 9:43am PDT
Clearly, Instagram’s current focus is on e-commerce and, specifically, allowing consumers to shop without leaving the platform.
Brands interested in utilizing the checkout feature as it becomes more widely available can indicate so here.
Another issue Instagram is concerning itself with is online bullying and the posting of negative or harmful content, a subject of debate that has grown even more contentious with the recent posting of images of a murdered teenager after her death, which drew criticism for Instagram’s slow response to remove them.
Instagram responded yesterday by outlining a stricter policy for disabling accounts. It said on its website: “In addition to removing accounts with a certain percentage of violating content, we will also remove accounts with a certain number of violations within a window of time.”
More innocuously, Instagram has been toying with the idea of removing likes, allowing for an individual user to see the likes their
posts receive but hiding them from their audience. The move comes after numerous surveys have indicated Instagram is particularly detrimental to users’ self-esteem above other social media channels, encouraging anxiety and depression.
The platform launched a test of its hidden like feature earlier this year in Canada, and this week rolled it out to Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Japan and New Zealand. It is not confirmed if the social media giant will go ahead with this approach or test it in the United States.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of SalesCarrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
