Longtime retailer Mayer Udell, who began running London Jewelers alongside his wife Fran in 1946, has died at the age of 96. 

Michelle Graff

The Panama Diamond Exchange has appointed industry veteran Dirk Blommaert, who has held positions in the Antwerp diamond industry and with the Baselworld fair, as its business development director.  

Michelle Graff

While Fernando Jorge and Melanie Georgacopoulos have moved on from the Rock Vault, the showcase created to give young British jewelry designers exposure, two new designers have entered: Beth Gilmour and Shimell and Madden. 

Michelle Graff

Amazon has entered the 3-D printing arena with the launch of its “3D Printed Products” store, a marketplace that gives shoppers access to more than 200 unique, customizable print on-demand products, including jewelry.

Brecken Branstrator

Exhibitors and buyers packed it in Tuesday as the JA New York Summer show came to an end after three days of buying activity at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Brecken Branstrator

The company formerly known as Gemesis has created what it says is the largest diamond ever grown in a lab, a 3-carat round brilliant that is K color and SI1 clarity.

Michelle Graff

About 100 diamond dealers from India and the United States will gather next month at the Diamond Dealers Club in New York for the first India Diamond Week.   

Michelle Graff

Todd Pownell has been recognized with the 2014 Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year Award, presented to him Monday at the JA New York Summer Show. 

Summertime brings more than spring showers. The season’s lightning strikes and sometimes-downed power lines can lead to surges. Jeweler Mutual’s David Sexton shares 5 tips for ensuring a power surge doesn’t knock out your store.

Michelle Graff

The Rolex given to former President Dwight D. Eisenhower for his achievements as a general during World War II, including the planning of D-Day, is expected to garner as much as $1 million at auction.

Michelle Graff

Omega just produced a new television commercial for national distribution starring Irish golfer and brand ambassador Rory McIlroy with music by another act from Ireland, alternative rock bank The Script. 

Michelle Graff

The International Gemological Institute showcased its latest services and offerings, including a new mobile application and the opening of a Jaipur location, at the India International Jewellery Show in Mumbai last week. 

Michelle Graff

A busy show floor and a positive attitude among attendees marked the kickoff of the JA New York Summer Show, which began Sunday at the Javits Center.

I took a little trip to London on Wednesday night, without even leaving New York City.

Sales and production increased in the first half of the year for De Beers and the company expects global demand for diamond jewelry to increase 4 to 5 percent this year, driven by the United States and China.

Michelle Graff

Same-store sales of watches and jewelry rose slightly in the first half for LVMH, with the company noting that the retailers that carry its brands remain cautious when purchasing.

Michelle Graff

Steven Singer Jewelers is providing its customers the chance to see a rare diamond up close and in person, displaying a rare 10-carat radiant-cut diamond for viewing at its store Sunday.

Michelle Graff

In this new monthly feature, National Jeweler editors delve into the when, where and why of antique jewelry. July’s focus is on Mizpah pieces, which first became popular in the Victorian era.

Michelle Graff

Govind Dholakia, founder and chairman of Shree Ramkrishna Exports, has won the 2014 lifetime achievement award presented by Retail Jeweller India for his contributions to the diamond industry over the last 50 years.

Michelle Graff

Walmart announced Thursday that Greg Foran will be the new president and CEO of Walmart U.S. effective Aug. 9 replacing Bill Simon who is “transitioning out of the company.”

JA New York organizers have moved the 2015 winter show from March to January in order to avoid overlap with other industry trade shows. 

Michelle Graff

Search engine marketing continues to be one of the most effective online customer acquisition tactics, a new study of retailers by the National Retail Federation shows.

After a harsh winter that hampered retail sales, the National Retail Federation has revised its retail sales forecast downward for the full year 2014, though it does expect sales to pick up in the second half of the year. 

Michelle Graff

It was fitting that Monday’s story about the retirement of Tiffany & Co. CEO Mike Kowalski ran directly ahead of my latest piece about the Pebble Mine in Alaska, the proposed open-pit copper and gold mine that would sit at the headwaters of the pristine eco-system that surrounds beautiful Bristol Bay.

Michelle Graff

Eight students currently studying jewelry and metalsmithing at various colleges across the country and abroad have been awarded scholarships from the Women’s Jewelry Association.

Michelle Graff