Parisian designer Lydia Courteille’s new collection, “Homage to Surrealism,” is a nod to the European artistic movement of the first part of the 20th century.

Thursday (Nov. 8) was the first day back in the office for most of the National Jeweler team following Superstorm Sandy, and we are doing our best to try to get back into the groove.

Michelle Graff

As if diamond-studded bras weren’t enough, now consumers have the option of adding some serious bling to their iPad cases.

Every year, lingerie lord Victoria’s Secret unveils a multi-million dollar bra set with an astounding number of diamonds and colored gemstones that one lucky model gets to wear down the runway at the brand’s annual fashion show.

Michelle Graff

As has already been widely reported, the newly introduced Diamond Source Warranty Protocol (which I assume eventually we’ll call the DSWP) wasn’t exactly met with widespread applause at the recent World Diamond Congress held in Mumbai.

Michelle Graff

Platinum is always among the top jewelry choices celebrities make for red carpet events, premieres and other appearances where cameras are flashing. The metal doesn’t reflect its color into stones, allowing sapphires, rubies and other precious gems to give off...

I feel the need to confess something right here and now. I personally don’t like Facebook. I just can’t delude myself into thinking that anybody actually cares what brand of syrup I bought at the store this morning (yes, this...

Michelle Graff

As summer winds down to a close, celebrities are still rolling out their brightest jewels for on-air and red carpet appearances. Bold cocktail rings are a favorite in the past month, with stars choosing big gems, from onyx to beryl...

The New Designer Gallery pavilion at the JA New York Summer Show is exciting. The entire show in itself is exciting, with a plethora of designs to see, but the NDG offers show-goers something different--jewelry makers who are truly fresh,...

On my trip to London last month, I learned an interesting piece of Olympic history, one that I thought would be good to share as the Summer Games kick off this Friday in London. So, here’s my trivia question: The...

Michelle Graff

I just learned that Glen Beres passed away on June 20 at the age of 50. Glen and I were reporters together at National Jeweler in the early 90s--surely a different day and age. While I specialized in the diamond...

In the watch industry, brands constantly are on a quest to connect with their history and tradition, leading to the introduction of countless timepieces that “reach back into the archives” to pay homage to a milestone anniversary of one particular...

Michelle Graff

The start of summer has provided celebrities with a wealth of opportunities at which to parade their newest, trendiest jewelry, including galas, movie premieres, film festivals and music awards. The stars are still favoring long, elegant drop earrings with gemstones...

I made a visit to the Aaron Faber Gallery on Fifth Avenue earlier this month, having received an invitation to preview the jewelry of designers from Quebec. While many of the designs were creative, innovative and fresh, the creations of...

The past few years have marked a love-hate relationship between jewelers and precious metals. On one hand, nearly everyone profited from rising prices by buying from the public, a lucrative practice that helped keep many afloat during the darkest days....

Although awards season has ended, the arrival of spring calls for its own red carpet events--movie and television premieres, charity events, even a high-profile political dinner--and a chance for the stars to debut their newest, most glamorous baubles. Blue-toned jewels...

A recent Associated Press article ignited debate over employers asking for potential employees’ social media passwords, the combination of letters and numbers that open the door to the presumably personal worlds of accounts on sites such as Facebook and Twitter....

Michelle Graff

Over the years, we’ve seen any number of unusual uses for, and products comprised of, precious gemstones and metals. Most recently in this blog, our fashion editor, Hannah Connorton, told us about an Italian company that has created karat-gold tattoos....

Michelle Graff

Charriol’s Vice President Ori Zemer appeared on the TV show Extra Friday night during the “Today’s Giveaway” segment to feature an onyx Celtic Classique bangle from the brand. Zemer on the set of Extra for the Charriol giveaway. Extra, hosted...

Count me among the many who will be soaking up all the Titanic lore available over the next couple of weeks as the 100th anniversary of the luxury liner’s fateful maiden voyage approaches. Much about this tragedy-- one of the...

Michelle Graff

Italian engineers have come up with an alternative way to wear gold, silver and other metals: as temporary tattoos adhered to the skin. Produced by the high-tech company Genefinity, Gold Sin Jewels are the product of scientific research in nano-tech...

Stars rock gemstone jewelry--precious and semiprecious--anywhere from the red carpet and awards shows to TV appearances and movie premieres. While some celebrities go for bright or sparkly stones like fire opal, citrine and aquamarine, others are drawn to the darker...

Two brands in the jewelry and watch industry made their way to respective Fashion Weeks this month--one right here in New York, and the other overseas. Active lifestyle watch brand Sector returned to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, setting...

Transitions of power are always a challenge. And the stakes are raised for entities with strong track records. Sterling, parent of Kay and Jared, has proven itself across recent market cycles to be among the very best-run chain jewelers in...

I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz lately about Pinterest, starting at the recent JA New York Show when an industry colleague, and budding jewelry designer, was showing off her boards in the press room. The topic of Pinterest arose...

Michelle Graff