SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
FinancialsAug 30, 2018
Signet Opening James Allen Concept Store in DC
It is set to open before the holiday season and will be more high-tech than the jeweler’s other stores.
Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos announced Thursday that the company soon will open the first full-line brick-and-mortar store for online retailer James Allen. Signet acquired James Allen parent company, R2Net, in September 2017.
Akron, Ohio—Signet Jewelers Ltd. CEO Gina Drosos announced Thursday that the company will be opening a James Allen concept store and showroom in Washington, D.C., before the upcoming holiday season.
While the company declined to release specifics on location or exact timing, Drosos did say the store will be more technology-focused than Signet’s current stores.
The opening of a full-line brick-and-mortar location is a first for the online retailer; James Allen does have a showroom on Fifth Avenue in New York City, but that space is by appointment only.
The announcement of James Allen moving into brick-and-mortar came as Signet released its second quarter results Thursday morning.
Signet’s total sales hit $1.42 billion in the 13-week period ended Aug. 4, a 2 percent year-over-year increase. Same-store sales were up 2 percent as well.
In North America, comps rose 2 percent. The company’s same-store sales result includes sales on its own e-commerce sites as well as on JamesAllen.com, which recorded a 25 percent year-over-year increase in sales to $54.4 million.
RELATED CONTENT: Signet Completes R2Net AcquisitionLeading the way among Signet’s brick-and-mortar businesses was Piercing Pagoda, with a same-store sales increase of 12 percent, followed by Zales at 7 percent. Jared the Galleria of Jewelry stores recorded a 1 percent increase in comps, while same-store sales at Kay Jewelers slipped 2 percent.
Bridal and fashion jewelry were the strongest sellers in the quarter, while sales of jewelry classified as “other,” including beads, declined. Signet is phasing out its “Charmed Memories” line of beads sold at Kay stores.
E-commerce sales (including James Allen) totaled $150.3 million, an 83 percent year-over-year increase. Online sales accounted for 11 percent of Signet’s sales in the second quarter.
The increases come as Signet is in the middle of a three-year turnaround plan launched in March and termed the “Path to Brilliance.”
Drosos said the retailer is “encouraged” by the results so far and is “modestly” raising its revenue and earnings guidance for the year. She added, though, that Signet is “remaining appropriately cautious” in its outlook as many of its Path to Brilliance initiatives are being launched later in the year.
Toward the conclusion of Thursday’s earnings call, the Signet CEO was asked about lab-grown gemstones, specifically lab-grown diamonds and if Signet had any interest in carrying them.
While Drosos echoed some of what she told Yahoo Finance in an April interview—that she believes consumers
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
want a mined diamond for their engagement ring—she did not seemed closed to the idea of Signet carrying lab-grown diamonds in fashion jewelry.
She said there could be some “growing interest” in the fashion jewelry space for lab-grown diamonds, adding: “We will make sure Signet is well-positioned to participate in that space … if customers point us in that direction.”
Her philosophy on man-made diamonds sounds similar to one adopted by De Beers in launching its lab-grown line, Lightbox: lab-grown diamonds belong in lower-priced fashion jewelry given for occasions like graduation and Sweet 16, while mined diamonds are for engagement rings.
She said there could be some “growing interest” in the fashion jewelry space for lab-grown diamonds, adding: “We will make sure Signet is well-positioned to participate in that space … if customers point us in that direction.”
Her philosophy on man-made diamonds sounds similar to one adopted by De Beers in launching its lab-grown line, Lightbox: lab-grown diamonds belong in lower-priced fashion jewelry given for occasions like graduation and Sweet 16, while mined diamonds are for engagement rings.
More on Financials
The Latest
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
