We know that consumers are using their mobile devices to shop at levels never seen before. Whether it’s on a tablet or smartphone, they’re using mobile to shop, review peer feedback and opinions on products and services, and get social about their experiences and interactions with brands.
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I ran a half-marathon Sunday and I did OK, considering the confluence of severe snowstorms and the flu that deterred my training.

A pair of D-color internally flawless diamond earrings sold for $8.6 million at Christie’s Wednesday, missing their highest pre-sale estimate but still garnering enough to top the sale.

CIBJO’s Coloured Stone Commission has released a report reiterating the terminology that needs to be used for lead glass-filled rubies.
Consumers rank Rolex as one of the most reputable companies in the world, placing it alongside brands such as Disney, Google and BMW, one institute’s recent study shows.
Loose diamond supplier and jewelry manufacturer International Diamond Distributors is now providing retailers with a private label credit card service they can offer to customers.

Department store chain Kohl’s is embracing the philosophy of saying “yes” with a new brand campaign that launched this month.
Jewelers of America is asking retailers to complete its annual Cost of Doing Business survey, which opened Monday and can be taken online.

Hamilton Jewelers has launched a digital contest to give consumers the opportunity to tell why their mother is the greatest and win her a Mother’s Day present.
Model Kate Moss is reportedly shooting a campaign with David Yurman next week, marking a reconciling between the model and designer after a not-so-amicable split in 2011.

Michael Bogosian, founder of fine bridal brand Michael B., died April 8 from a heart attack. He was 64 years old.
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction barring Alor from selling jewelry that allegedly infringes upon Charriol’s cable trademarks and from publicly claiming that Charriol is being “rebranded” as Alor.

Though she once crooned that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, it didn’t take any of the pricey stones to bring in the big bucks for a pair of clip-on earrings worn by Marilyn Monroe.

State-owned Russian diamond mining company Alrosa has signed an agreement with India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council to share trade and statistical data on the diamond trade.
The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has shot down Sterling Jewelers’ objection to the registration of a trademark the retailer claimed could cause confusion with “Hearts Desire,” a line of ideal-cut diamonds sold at Jared.
Same-store sales at Michael Hill’s U.S. locations rose 3 percent in the nine-month period ended March 31, the Australian retailer recently reported.

Stephen Webster is bringing the Rock Vault, a curated group of British designers eager to introduce their work to U.S. buyers and press, back to Couture this year.
Two longtime industry players have teamed to start a new company called Proto Products that sells products for 3D printing and casting and provides support for the trade.
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.
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.
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.
Defunct discount chain Loehmann’s is slated to return to the retail scene next month but as an e-tailer only.

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.
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.













