A jadeite bead necklace with a Cartier clasp sold for $27.4 million at Sotheby’s Monday, setting a new world record for any jadeite jewelry and Cartier jewel sold at auction. 

Michelle Graff

Marketing to consumers who are tying the knot, Groupon launched the “Wedding Shop” Monday, which sells engagement rings, wedding-day jewelry and other baubles associated with the big day at steeply discounted prices. 

Michelle Graff

Yet another miner is un-staking its claim from the proposed Pebble mine in Alaska, leaving the sole owner of the project to hunt for new partners.  

Michelle Graff

Kay Jewelers has launched a contest that gives customers the chance to win prizes from its “Shades of Wonder” colored diamond collection and a trip to Australia that would include a tour of the Argyle diamond mine. 

Michelle Graff

Jewelry company Judith Ripka has been sold to Xcel Brands Inc., a New York-based brand management company that also owns Isaac Mizrahi New York and Liz Claiborne New York. 

Michelle Graff

Having a Google alert set for the general term “jewelry” can turn up a lot of results. While not always relevant, it’s good to at least sift through the alerts to make sure we’re not missing any important news stories, and it can be a great resource for interesting tidbits you wouldn’t otherwise find. Not too long ago, one of my alerts turned me on to a really interesting story about Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde and his project to eliminate smog with a new device he’s creating. Roosegaarde and his team of experts at the Studio Roosegaarde, which has locations in the Netherlands and Shanghai, are developing a safe, energy-friendly installation to capture smog and create clean air. The Smog project uses patented ion technology in an “electronic vacuum cleaner” to create large holes of clean air, and they’re aiming to create the largest smog-free park in Beijing, according to Studio Roosegaarde. The project’s timing is aligned with the recent vow by Beijing’s municipal government to lower the concentration of fine particulate matter by 25 percent by 2017. A mock-up is currently being tested in the studio, and the first park is slated to open in early summer of next year. What’s more, Roosegaarde is using the smog captured from the machine and turning it into fine jewelry. “I like the notion that you take something high-end and combine it with the problematic,” Roosegaarde told The New York Times.

Brecken Branstrator

The number of reported incidences of jewelry crime fell again in 2013, continuing a trend that began in the 1990s.  

Michelle Graff

Popular jewelry brand David Yurman opened a new boutique in Orlando, Fla. on April 3 at The Mall at Millenia. 

Michelle Graff

It’s been a long couple of weeks. I am exhausted from Basel and still in the midst of my not-very-well-thought-out decision to give up alcohol for Lent. What I wouldn’t give for a beer at dinner tonight or even right now; but I digress.

Michelle Graff

The Jewelers Board of Trade has launched a service that will allow non-JBT members to monitor and manage their credit profiles with the organization. 

Michelle Graff

A former Zale Corp. executive joining Gem Star and elections for the Jewelers Board of Trade’s board of directors are among the recent career moves in the industry.  

Michelle Graff

A recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission reveals that a number of shareholders of Greenville, S.C.-based Scio want to replace the board because the lab-grown diamond company isn’t making any money. 

Michelle Graff

One retailer faces felony charges for allegedly selling moissanite and other man-made stones that he misrepresented as diamonds, a case that should serve as a reminder to jewelers that they are liable for what they sell. 

Brecken Branstrator

Tissot debuted what it says is the world’s first touch-screen watch powered by solar energy, extending its line of tactile watches first introduced in 1999. 

Michelle Graff

Neiman Marcus Group Inc. announced changes on Wednesday that will merge the company’s online and store merchandising and planning teams into a single organization and create omnichannel responsibilities for them. 

Michelle Graff

After what it said was a successful first show, the Rapaport Group has announced it will host the Diamond Show at Baselworld again next year at the same venue, the Markthalle building. 

Michelle Graff

Two brands, Persona jewelry and Breitling watches, will donate a portion of their sales to foundations that support individuals with autism and their families as well as autism research. 

Michelle Graff

The MJSA’s 2104 Vision Awards, which recognizes outstanding talent in jewelry design, is open for entries now through April 17.  

Michelle Graff

While Baselworld is known as a showcase for the latest watchmaking innovations, there was no lack of fresh jewelry designs at the show. A total of 10 pieces from three big brands--Stephen Webster, Mikimoto and Roberto Coin--are featured in this slideshow. 

Michelle Graff

Online retailer Gemvara has decided not to open a permanent brick-and-mortar location after a temporary store designed to test the brand’s brick-and-mortar appeal didn’t attract many customers. 

Brecken Branstrator

A larger Navitimer and a special series to mark the 30th anniversary of its pilot’s chronograph, the Chronomat, are among the introductions from Breitling. 

Michelle Graff

De Beers has named the five companies it has added as sightholders for the remainder of the 2012-2015 contract period. 

Michelle Graff

Jeffrey Gennette, who spent the past five years as chief merchandising officer at Macy’s, has been named president of the corporation. 

Michelle Graff

Registration is open for the 2014 Select by Centurion shows, which cater to regional and hosted retailers by featuring small groups of designers and manufacturers.  

Michelle Graff

Raymond Weil has a new special-edition Nabucco watch as well as a new collection called Toccata, a line of quartz watches where the entry-level models start at $750. 

Michelle Graff