The “never ever” scenarios for salespeople in a store and an Antwerp law enforcement official facing money laundering charges were two of the top stories on National Jeweler last week.
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The International Colored Gemstone Association is lowering fees for Junior Members, making it the latest in a line of organizations trying to pique young people’s interest in jewelry.
The per-ounce price of silver is expected to decrease this year as the dollar continues to strengthen and investments move out of the commodities sector.

The manufacturer is applying the coating to its Triton, its line of silver and alternative metal jewelry for men.
The new owner of Zale Corp. will open more Zales and Piercing Pagoda stores than it closes, marking the first time in years that the chain’s physical footprint won’t shrink.
The Edge Retail Academy will hold two conferences this year to help retailers develop their trade show and holiday season preparation strategies using The Edge software.

The Silver Promotion Service polled jewelers across the country to gauge how sales in the category fared in 2014. Here’s what the organization discovered.
Police are investigating the deaths of a 65-year-old jewelry store owner and his wife whose bodies were discovered in their suburban Philadelphia home Sunday.

Taking cell phone calls and texting in front of customers are two of the “never ever” scenarios Pat Henneberry outlines in the latest Coach’s Corner.

The Italian designer rolled out the Tanaquilla, Golden Gate and Princess lines while also debuting a reinterpretation of Barocco and Poi Moi pieces, set with black sapphires amid white diamonds.
Located in Chicago, the Swiss company’s new facility will help its North American customers with a need for custom projects and on-site support as well as those working on short timelines.
Harlan Kent is the former CEO of Yankee Candle and also held positions at C. Wonder and the Campbell Soup Company.

Swarovski’s official launch into fine jewelry and the rising average spend on engagement rings were two of the top stories on National Jeweler last week.
A weak U.S. market brought down Tiffany’s fourth quarter same-store sales, though strong performances in the prior quarters boosted comps for the fiscal year.

National Jeweler has chosen four books from Goodreads’ March list of new releases that could be beneficial to business owners.

Jewelers for Children has guaranteed entries for the 2015 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which allows for participants to select to raise funds for the charity.
Target Corp. is launching an extended return policy for certain store-branded items to increase the focus on its own brands and increase consumer ease, the retailer said.
Worthy, an online marketplace for pre-owned luxury goods, has named former Tiffany & Co. executive Peter Schneirla as its first president.

Preston, who has organized educational programs in the jewelry industry for 30 years through Charlotte Preston Catalysts, said she is closing due to a cancer diagnosis.

Smartwatches are a focus at Baselworld 2015, and the biggest announcement so far belongs to TAG Heuer, which is teaming with Intel and Google on a connected device.

IIa Technologies said it has a commercially viable process for creating high-quality, Type IIa diamonds at the new 200,000-square-foot facility.

At its 2015 Forevermark Forum, the De Beers diamond brand revealed two new programs designed to help its retail partners retain relationships with online shoppers and build up their diamond inventory.

The weeklong program at Creative Side Jewelry Academy is geared toward metalsmiths between the ages of 10 and 16 who want to learn jewelry-making skills.


After a year that saw mostly strong prices for both rough and polished diamonds at tender for the miner, Gem Diamonds’ revenue for the fiscal full year ended Dec. 31 hit $270.9 million.