Sales in the United States were strong in the first quarter for LVMH, with the luxury goods conglomerate’s company-owned watch and jewelry boutiques performing particularly well. 

Michelle Graff

I would like to clear up any confusion about a not-really-breaking news story that seems to have gotten new life lately following an article by The New York Times and the almighty online news machine, where stories get picked up and re-posted ad nauseam.

Michelle Graff

Last week I attended Circa’s “Scotches & Watches” event, which gave attendees a glimpse of what both a great scotch and watch collection look like, from entry-level purchases to the top-of-the-line product.

Next month, a retrospective covering decades of jewelry photography in the GIA journal Gems & Gemology will go on display in Carlsbad. The pictures, and the pieces, will be there until December.

Michelle Graff

Defunct discount chain Loehmann’s is slated to return to the retail scene next month but as an e-tailer only. 

Michelle Graff

Up-and-coming jewelry designers who would like to show their work in the JA New York Summer show’s New Designer Gallery can now apply to exhibit. 

Michelle Graff

The latest Survey of Affluence and Wealth found that well-to-do Americans today are relying more on online reviews than brand messaging or salespeople’s opinions when deciding what to buy.  

Michelle Graff

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