Sourcing

Rio Tinto continues telling its Story

SourcingJul 13, 2015

Rio Tinto continues telling its Story

Rio Tinto’s Diamonds with a Story campaign recently welcomed four new designers and launched a website created specifically for retailers, designers and manufacturers. 

071415_Rio-Tinto-article.jpg
Suzanne Kalan, known for her “Fireworks” diamond baguette pieces, did jewelry for Color My World using brown diamonds from the Argyle mine to make more affordable pieces.

New York--Rio Tinto has four new designers and a new website for Diamonds with a Story, the marketing program launched three years ago to buoy demand for diamonds by shifting the focus from the four Cs to the stories behind the stones: where they came from, and what impact they had, and are having, on a local level.

The website, DiamondsWithAStory.com, is for retailers, designers and manufacturers and went live earlier this year, around the time of the Las Vegas shows. 

The site contains a tab for Product & Marketing, which includes images of in-store materials that are provided to retailers as well as sales training contact information. DiamondsWithAStory.com also has some consumer research, as well as a link to subscribe to the newsletter for regularly updated research. 

The website is in both English and Chinese.

Diamonds With a Story consists of four collections--Cutting Impact, Color My World, Mixed Medium and Shaped By Origin--all priced at $500 to $5,000 retail. Designers who have previously created pieces for these collections include Kara Ross, Phyllis Bergman, Alexandra Hart and Zoltan David.

At JCK Las Vegas 2015, Rio Tinto brought four new designers into the Diamonds with a Story fold.

Sonoma County, Calif.-based Jennifer Dawes, a metalsmith who launched Dawes Design in 2000, focuses on using responsibly sourced materials to create “green” jewelry, so she created pieces for Cutting Impact, the collection targeted at millennial consumers who desire products that are green.

Matthew Campbell Laurenza is a U.S.-born, Hong Kong-based jewelry designer whose often-colorful designs have netted a lot of red carpet time over the years. Laurenza created a line of jewelry, some of which are designed to fit uniquely-cut gemstones that are interchangeable, for Mixed Medium, which is aimed at consumers looking for something unique. 

Suzanne Kalan, who is known for her white diamonds and colored gemstone “Fireworks” baguette pieces, did pieces for Color My World using brown diamonds from the Argyle mine to make more affordable Fireworks.

And finally there is Sandy Leong, who grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is inspired by nature when she designs jewelry. Leong created for Shaped By Origin, which is for consumers who want to know from where their diamonds originated. 

Each line includes 12 to 18 pieces, a mix of rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets, in 18-karat gold and set with white and colored (gray and brown) diamonds from

the Argyle mine in Western Australia. 
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

The Retail Smiths founder and National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
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.

Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is Back

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

Merle, Juanita, and Brent Staats of Staats Jewelers
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 Years

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

1872x1052-NextGem-2026-National-Jeweler-Advertorial.jpg
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry Retailers

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Former Macy’s CEO Jeffrey Gennette
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers Board

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Buddha Mama gold earrings hexagon emerald
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.

Clientbook Logo
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store Events

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las Vegas

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Pandora lab grown diamond necklace
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond Claims

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

Glenn Spiro Old Moghul Golconda Earrings
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met Gala

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Kennedy’s Jewelers tourmaline necklace
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award Winners

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

Brilliant Earth Jane Goodall olive branch necklace and earrings
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Kashmir sapphire ring
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry Sale

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

Billy Welshoff
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account Executive

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEO

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

Jewelers of America Logo
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship Program

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

Pandora lab grown diamond rings
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown Diamonds

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

Saks Fifth Avenue door sign
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to Approval

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Heuer Monaco Le Mans
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby's

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.

Met Gala 2026 Beyonce, Lisa Manobal, Hailey Bieber
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met Gala

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Doug Hucker
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His Roots

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.

New York City FC winning the Philip F. Anschutz MLS Cup Trophy in 2021
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
AMNH to Showcase Famous Jewelry, Trophies in Sports History

The museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.

Exhibitor at JIS
Events & AwardsMay 05, 2026
JIS Launches Brand Exposure Program

The new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.

Melanie Georgacopoulos Eclipse Collection Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMay 04, 2026
Melanie Georgacopoulos Turns Pearls Into Light for ‘Eclipse’ Collection

The “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.

National Jeweler columnist Sherry Smith, partner at The Retail Smiths
ColumnistsMay 04, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show Buying

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

Mugshot of 20-year-old Landen Julian Ballard of Vero Beach, Florida
CrimeMay 04, 2026
Pawn Shop Manager Shot, Killed in Florida

Lazaro Rodriguez Vega was murdered inside Cash Out Gold and Silver in Fort Pierce. A 20-year-old man has been charged in the case.

Gild Zadok, Segev Zadok, and Jonathan Zadok at Austin park
IndependentsMay 04, 2026
Zadok Jewelers, Austin Parks Foundation Support Wildflower Preservation

A portion of every engagement ring sold in its Austin showroom will support the care and preservation of Austin’s wildflowers and green spaces.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy