Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
IndependentsAug 10, 2016
In era of consolidation, one retailer goes bigger
When it relocates to a new space later this month, California retailer Traditional Jewelers will more than double in size, allowing it to better showcase its brands and placing it in a busier section of the same shopping center.
Newport Beach, Calif.--When it relocates to a new space later this month, California retailer Traditional Jewelers will more than double in size, allowing it to better showcase its brands and placing it in a busier section of the same shopping center.
Currently, Traditional Jewelers occupies a 4,500-square-foot space in a strip of Orange County’s Fashion Island shopping center that has become less busy over time. Michael Pollak, CEO of Traditional parent company Hyde Park Jewelers, said they are relocating to a 10,000-square-foot space in a more central and busier section of the center, near both Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s.
The jeweler’s decision to move into a larger retail space comes at a time when many retailers, both in jewelry as well as in fashion, are not in expansion mode. Two of the country’s largest chain jewelers, Sterling Jewelers, owner of Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewelry, and Zale Corp. are merging and undoubtedly will shutter some stores.
RELATED CONTENT: Zale shareholders approve merger with Signet
Accessories retailer Coach announced last week that it was closing 70 full-line stores in North America while also opening more outlet stores and combining others. Clothing retailer Juicy Couture, known for its rhinestone-centric loungewear, is closing all of its existing U.S. stores and replacing them with only a few new concept stores in key markets here.
RELATED CONTENT: Coach to focus on retail outlet division
Pollak said the decision to open a bigger store was made in part because watch brands today are looking for increased visibility, which they will have in this new space. The larger Traditional Jewelers includes four shop-in-shops, all for watches: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier and Officine Panerai.
In addition to the shop-in-shops, the new store will carry jewelry from the Fred Leighton estate collection. He said it is the first store in Orange County selected to carry the line, and it marks the retailer’s foray into period and estate jewelry.
“Retailers have to be known first and foremost as our own brand. And I support that notion,” Pollak said when asked about the importance of brands in retail today. “But, at the end of the day, the consumer is comfortable with and trusts certain luxury brands. It is very validating to the consumer when you showcase the top brands because then they have confidence in patronizing you as a retailer.”
While acknowledging the weight
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
of brands, Pollak also said it’s important for retailers not to give up their own identity, their own “DNA in terms of the store brand,” for the lines they carry. At the new Traditional Jewelers, the shop-in-shops are placed around the perimeter of the store so they first brand experience shoppers have is that of Traditional Jewelers, he said.
The store will hold a soft open in its new space July 11, with the official grand opening scheduled for Sept. 5 and 6.
A man with experience with a very well-known brand has been hired to manage the new Traditional Jewelers. Bill Peters joins the retailer from the Louis Vuitton located in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif. where he spent the last 14 years in various roles, including store director and director of client relations. Pollak said Peters has a keen understanding of both the clientele and charities in the area.
The late Marion Halfacre and his wife Lula opened their first jewelry store in Jackson, Miss. in 1975. Four years later, they sold their interest in that business and moved to California, opening Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach. Marion Halfacre died in 2007 and the business was sold to Hyde Park Jewelers in 2012.
Hyde Park Jewelers has its flagship store in Denver, where the company is based, as well as a Hyde Park Jewelers store in Phoenix, Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach, Calif., an Omega boutique in Denver and a Rolex boutique in Las Vegas.
Pollak said they are adding two more boutiques, one for Roberto Coin and one for watch brand Breitling, to their portfolio this fall.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
