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.
IndependentsNov 13, 2019
Forevermark Opens First US Boutique
The California store will be owned and operated by Bay Area natives, Steve and Judy Padis of Padis Jewelers.
Forevermark U.S. President Charles Stanley (far left) joined owners Judy and Steve Padis and their daughter, Alexis, for the opening of the first Forevermark boutique in the United States.
Walnut Creek, Calif.—Forevermark cut the ribbon on a new boutique in California last week, marking the opening of the De Beers-owned diamond brand’s first store in the United States.
Located at Broadway Plaza, a shopping center in Walnut Creek, the 600-square-foot store will be wholly owned and operated by the Padis family of Padis Jewelers, which has carried Forevermark since 2012.
Steve and Judy Padis, Bay Area natives who have been in the jewelry industry for 45 years and were inducted into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame earlier this year, run three Padis Jewelry stores in San Francisco and one in Napa Valley.
Nevertheless, he characterized the opening weekend as a success, with dozens of customers stopping by to check out the boutique.
The store opening kicked off with a weekend-long celebration, offering complimentary manicures and a daily “Bubbles and Bites” champagne happy hour.
A cart parked outside offered passersby fall-themed drinks, like hot apple cider and hot chocolate.
Shoppers were invited to play dress-up with one-of-a-kind pieces of diamond jewelry from the Forevermark Red Carpet Collection, including the “Force of Nature Ring,” inspired by the Kudu, an African antelope.
The Force ring is set with a 7.78-carat diamond, the brand’s 2 millionth inscribed diamond.
The store had a soft opening two months ago, Padis said, to prepare the staff ahead of the full-fledged opening in November.
Initially, the Padises had planned to stock 70 percent bridal and 30 percent fashion jewelry in the store, but the soft opening revealed a higher demand for fashion jewelry so they shifted the mix to 60 percent bridal and 40 percent fashion.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we go to 50/50,” Padis said.
A portion of sales from the opening weekend will be donated to the California Fire Foundation to support victims, firefighters and communities affected by wildfires throughout California.
Commenting on the opening in a press release, Forevermark U.S. President Charles Stanley said: “In opening our first Forevermark boutique, consumers will be able to more deeply experience and appreciate the full journey of a Forevermark diamond.”
“Forevermark diamonds are the most carefully selected diamonds in the world, and we applied the same rigorous standards when selecting our partners and
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
the location for our very first Forevermark boutique.”
More on Independents
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf 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.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
