When you’re a member of the media you receive many emails, particularly from people and companies you may not know looking to introduce themselves and, hopefully, garner a little press. In the midst of this digital crush, it takes something...
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A few weeks after news surfaced that hundreds of synthetic diamonds were submitted to the International Gemological Institute (IGI) in Antwerp without proper disclosure, a press release began circulating about a $199 lab-grown diamond detection device. The DiamaPen, a laser...
Milton Gralla, a legendary publishing executive in our business and whom many have known through his lifetime commitment to philanthropy, has passed away at age 84. Though National Jeweler was founded in 1906, it was when Milt and his brother...
For years in retail, the story has been about brick-and-mortar retailers losing business to pure-play online retailers, which can offer the same product for less due to lower overhead costs. Now, however, it seems that e-tailers are awakening to the...
The stars have been keeping it classy this summer, continuing the trend of long drop earrings, stacked bangles and cocktail rings. While the color trend is still in full swing, many celebrities have been choosing classic diamond jewelry to accentuate...
I just learned that Glen Beres passed away on June 20 at the age of 50. Glen and I were reporters together at National Jeweler in the early 90s--surely a different day and age. While I specialized in the diamond...
Last night, the Diamond Manufacturers & Importers Association of America (DMIA) held a meeting in New York City covering what is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about topics among diamantaires today: synthetics. As I am sure many of you are...
In the watch industry, brands constantly are on a quest to connect with their history and tradition, leading to the introduction of countless timepieces that “reach back into the archives” to pay homage to a milestone anniversary of one particular...
The start of summer has provided celebrities with a wealth of opportunities at which to parade their newest, trendiest jewelry, including galas, movie premieres, film festivals and music awards. The stars are still favoring long, elegant drop earrings with gemstones...
When my first son was very young and very sick and spending too much time in operating rooms and intensive care, I sought a diversion to distract him from what was happening. Portable DVD players were just becoming available. So...
Could this be the panacea for multi-channel retailing that fine jewelry has been seeking? Over the past decade, we've all watched as online retailing has mushroomed around us. But our product, even for mega-powerful, uber-traffic retailers like Amazon, Walmart and...
It didn’t take very long after the World Diamond Council (WDC) and the Kimberley Process (KP) expressed their support for broadening the definition of “conflict” diamond for the first sign of resistance to surface. The day after the news emerged...
I made a visit to the Aaron Faber Gallery on Fifth Avenue earlier this month, having received an invitation to preview the jewelry of designers from Quebec. While many of the designs were creative, innovative and fresh, the creations of...
The past few years have marked a love-hate relationship between jewelers and precious metals. On one hand, nearly everyone profited from rising prices by buying from the public, a lucrative practice that helped keep many afloat during the darkest days....
Although awards season has ended, the arrival of spring calls for its own red carpet events--movie and television premieres, charity events, even a high-profile political dinner--and a chance for the stars to debut their newest, most glamorous baubles. Blue-toned jewels...
Last week was Madison Avenue Watch Week here in New York, a seven-day stretch dedicated to showcasing and recognizing the work of watchmakers and the high-end timepiece brands that line Madison Avenue. As part of the week’s festivities, I took...
A recent Associated Press article ignited debate over employers asking for potential employees’ social media passwords, the combination of letters and numbers that open the door to the presumably personal worlds of accounts on sites such as Facebook and Twitter....
Lots of talk cropping up again about the "Swiss-made" label. As most in our business are aware, there are set criteria for determining what level of “Swiss” labeling manufacturers can claim for their watches. Like other magazines, we publish and...
Major changes are afoot at the world’s largest diamond miners: De Beers, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto. After 80 years in the business, the Oppenheimer family likely will be out of the diamond trade by years’ end. Both BHP Billiton...
As the fashion editor of National Jeweler, I’m constantly exposed to new jewelry, whether I’m trying it on, exploring its texture or flipping through look books and images on my computer. While many of the designs I see are incredible,...
Over the years, we’ve seen any number of unusual uses for, and products comprised of, precious gemstones and metals. Most recently in this blog, our fashion editor, Hannah Connorton, told us about an Italian company that has created karat-gold tattoos....
Last Wednesday, I attended a panel discussion on “ethical” diamonds organized by the Women’s Jewelry Association and held here in New York. Inevitably, the discussion, moderated by jewelry industry writer and editor Peggy Jo Donahue, came around to the question...
March was a month for series and movie premieres and charity events for celebrities, giving ample opportunities for stars to strut their newest baubles. Long, drop earrings with colored gemstones are ever the trend, commonly paired with semi-precious stones in...
For about 45 minutes on Tuesday morning, Kimberley Process Chairwoman Gillian Milovanovic did something unprecedented in the history of the 9-year-old process. She hosted a video web chat open to anybody who wanted to listen. According to her office, the...
Charriol’s Vice President Ori Zemer appeared on the TV show Extra Friday night during the “Today’s Giveaway” segment to feature an onyx Celtic Classique bangle from the brand. Zemer on the set of Extra for the Charriol giveaway. Extra, hosted...