From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
Neiman Marcus Buys Stake in Pre-Owned Luxury Goods Site
The deal will see select stores become drop-off locations for Fashionphile customers.

Dallas—Neiman Marcus is taking a big step into the pre-owned luxury market.
The retailer announced Wednesday it has acquired a minority stake in Fashionphile, a pre-owned e-commerce company focused on luxury handbags, accessories, and jewelry.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Sarah Davis founded Fashionphile in 1999 and added business partner Ben Hemminger to the team in 2006 to help expand the business and get it in front of a larger market.
The company came in at No. 8 in Google’s most-searched-for fashion brands list for 2018 and currently has showrooms in Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Carlsbad, California, and Manhattan. It boasts a 15,000-item inventory.
While the partnership doesn’t mean that Neiman Marcus will begin selling pre-owned goods itself (those will continue to be sold exclusively through Fashionphile), the deal will allow the retailer to engage customers in the secondary market and introduce its brand to younger and aspirational shoppers already looking for luxury brands, it said in a press release.
As part of the partnership, Neiman Marcus and Fashionphile will collaborate on new ways for buyers and sellers to more easily take part in pre-owned shopping, the companies said.
For example, select Neiman stores will become drop-off locations for Fashionphile customers, where they will be able to receive not only an immediate quote for their items but also immediate payment, meaning they could then potentially turn around and shop in those Neiman Marcus stores.
The company did not respond to an inquiry about how many stores would have this feature by press time.
“Our investment in Fashionphile is an exciting step in Neiman Marcus Group’s transformation into a luxury customer platform, as we work to better serve our customers, continue to shape the future of luxury and position Neiman Marcus for long-term and sustainable growth,” said Neiman Marcus Group CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck. “Over half our customers already engage in pre-owned luxury, and this exclusive partnership exemplifies our commitment to providing our customers with services and offerings they want and need.”
Neiman Marcus said the move makes it the first major luxury retailer to directly invest in the pre-owned segment, which is expected to grow to $23 billion by 2023, according to ThredUp’s Annual Resale Report.
Neiman’s agreement with Fashionphile isn’t all that different from a partnership it had with The RealReal in 2015. Though it didn’t make an investment in that luxury
The Latest

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.


The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.























