The latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
JA Launches Consumer Marketing Campaign for Spinel
The campaign, which introduces spinel as an additional birthstone for August, includes print, social media, radio and email.

New York--Jewelers of America officially has launched its consumer marketing campaign announcing that spinel has joined peridot as a birthstone for the month of August.
The new birthstone is being unveiled to consumers through public relations and marketing outreach, including print media, online platforms, social media, radio and emails.
JA also has created a variety of materials for its members to incorporate into their own marketing to announce spinel as a new August birthstone.
The materials also promote JA’s “Spectacular Spinel” sweepstakes, designed to create more consumer awareness and excitement around the gemstone and provide shareable content for members.
The winner of Spectacular Spinel will receive a pair of 18-karat gold and red spinel earrings valued at $1,250 from Carelle’s “Stacked” collection. It is running at Jewelers.org/SpinelSweeps through Aug. 19.
The retail materials available for members to download are an email HTML, email or web images, a printable sign, social media graphics and revised digital gemstone leaflets.
As part of the campaign, JA also is calling on both its members and the industry to update their birthstones lists, adding spinel for the month of August.
“As an industry, we have a great opportunity to capture consumer excitement, wonder and enthusiasm for jewelry,” JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said. “It is our hope that everyone will join together in announcing spinel as a new birthstone for August, and the industry will have one united voice and message about birthstones.”
Prior to the official rollout of the spinel-as-birthstone marketing campaign, JA showcased August birthstone gift guides and additional spinel jewelry coverage on its website and across its social media channels.
The American Gem Trade Association and JA jointly announced that spinel would join peridot as an August birthstone about two months ago.
This is the third update to the modern birthstone list since it was officially created in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association, now known as JA.
It was updated in 1952 to add alexandrite, citrine, tourmaline and zircon as birthstones and again in 2002 when tanzanite was added as a birthstone for December.
For more information on the promotional opportunities related to spinel’s debut a birthstone, visit the JA website.
Information about the gemstone also can be found on the AGTA website, and a full list of birthstones is available on Jewelers.org.
The Latest

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

Participants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.


Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

Allison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.

Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.

The board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.

Three winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.

JD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.

The new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.

Acquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.