ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
Weekly QuizMay 14, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsMay 13, 2026
New Orleans Jeweler Closing Canal Place StoreJack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
IndependentsMay 12, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
