Michele Sofisti will step down from his role as CEO of the Sowind Group to focus on running Gucci Watches and Jewelry as part of a reorganization at parent company Kering. 

Michelle Graff

An upcoming exhibition at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art will highlight the attire and accessories, including jewelry, that people in mourning donned throughout history.

Michelle Graff

Diamond production rose 2 percent in the first half of the year for Rio Tinto Group, while higher diamond prices boosted earnings in the mining company’s Diamonds & Minerals group.

Michelle Graff

As families scramble to fit in that last summer getaway before the season comes to a close, now is the time for jewelers to go beyond the sale and provide customers with advice on keeping their baubles safe while traveling. 

Brecken Branstrator

Model Kate Moss has returned as the face of David Yurman, and will appear in the brand’s “Enduring Style” advertising campaign that will appear in print and online outlets around the world this fall.

Michelle Graff

Designer Penny Preville is marking her expansion into men’s jewelry with the introduction of her 18-karat gold cufflink collection, “Rocks.” 

Michelle Graff

The late Nicolas Hayek saved the day for the Swiss watch industry in the 1980s. Who will do the same to mitigate the impact of the iWatch today, columnist Jan Brassem asks.

Michelle Graff

Bill Brand has been appointed president of HSN, effective immediately, and also will retain his roles as chief marketing officer and executive officer at HSNi.

Michelle Graff

The Bonhams Fine Jewellery sale scheduled to take place in London in September features a collection of rare and historic cameos and intaglios dating as far back as the 4th century B.C. 

Brecken Branstrator

Model, actress and singer Cara Delevingne is the face of John Hardy’s new advertising campaign, slated to debut this October in major fashion monthlies, the brand said.

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.  

Michelle Graff

The recently revamped World Diamond Council has begun an international search for an executive director who will handle the day-to-day management of the organization, a new role at the WDC.

Michelle Graff

Jewelry Television is holding its third Gem Lovers’ conference at its headquarters in Knoxville. 

Michelle Graff

LVMH and eBay announced Thursday that they have come to an agreement in their long-running court battle over the sale of counterfeit goods on the online auction site. 

Brecken Branstrator

At the Couture show designer Anahita Stein introduced her new 18-karat yellow gold pieces that were inspired by a trip to Southeast Asia. 

Northeastern Fine Jewelry is partnering with local craft brewery Shmaltz Brewing Company to offer a gift and experience package to its shoppers this Father’s Day. 

Michelle Graff

Akstrom Imports Inc., the official distributor of Swiss watch brand Bedat & Co. in the United States and Canada, also will now distribute 88 Rue du Rhone timepieces in the same territories.

Michelle Graff

Consumers have come to almost expect free shipping and free returns, and they prefer a responsive website to a mobile version or app. These are just a few of the things comScore and UPS discovered when they surveyed 5,800 online shoppers.

Michelle Graff

The generation dubbed the Millennials want honesty in a brand, care about philanthropy, search for deals and constantly are connected via their smartphones. Find out what else Nielsen observed about the generation in a recent study. 

Brecken Branstrator

Three major trends were prevalent among the pieces showcased at this year’s Couture show: ear cuffs and climbers, pieces featuring openwork, and the use of Paraiba tourmaline both as center and accent stones.

John and Marichi O’Rourke, owners of Montica Jewelry in Coral Gables, Fla., have been named “Outstanding Retail Leaders” by the Florida Retail Federation. 

Michelle Graff

Patek Philippe watches constituted the top four highest-grossing lots at Antiquorum’s recent sale in Geneva, with two of the brand’s models setting new world auction records.

Diamond traders and others in the industry should be on the lookout for a fake Kimberley Process certificate numbered Sierra Leone (SL) 004199.  

Michelle Graff

Diving into the estate jewelry category for the first time can be daunting for a jeweler. Fortunately, Alan Nacht of Bernard Nacht & Co. has outlined six steps jewelers can take to be sure they’re entering the category the right way.

The U.S. trademark appeal board has shot down Swatch Group’s attempt to register the Tourbillon logo it uses for its boutiques of the same name, noting, among other points, that registering the mark could deprive competitors of using representations of tourbillons when advertising their products. 

Michelle Graff