Leaders from Antwerp and Russia inked an agreement in Moscow Wednesday that deepens the partnership between the Antwerp World Diamond Centre and diamond miner Alrosa. 

Michelle Graff

Nordstrom announced Wednesday that it is expanding its off-price Nordstrom Rack division into Anchorage, Alaska next year. 

Michelle Graff

The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas continues to be a source of relatively large rough finds for visitors, including this 2.89-carat white diamond dubbed the “Jax Diamond,” which was unearthed by Brandon Kalenda last week. 

Michelle Graff

Tiffany & Co. has signed on as a premier patron sponsor of the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s gala in Las Vegas, the proceeds of which will benefit the organization’s educational initiatives.

Michelle Graff

Swiss watch giant Swatch Group has slapped Target with a trade dress infringement lawsuit claiming the retailer is selling watches that are inferior copies of its “zebra” and “multicolor” plastic Swatch watches.

Michelle Graff

A New York federal judge has thrown out the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s claim that Sterling Jewelers Inc. engaged in a nationwide practice of paying its female employees less and passing them over for promotions.

Michelle Graff

The Gemological Institute of America has recently added a number of features to its Retailer Support Program, including the ability to embed videos as well as graphics and images to websites, such as GIA’s Gem Encyclopedia.

Michelle Graff

Retailer Riddle’s Jewelry announced that it has acquired gold manufacturer Landstrom’s wholesale and manufacturing division. 

Michelle Graff

Jewelry is the most widely collected luxury item in the world among the wealthy, although in North America it ranks third behind art and watches, according to The Wealth Report 2014.

Michelle Graff

The Chinese jewelry market has become, and will remain so for generations, one of the most important on the globe. Columnist Jan Brassem provides a "Freshman 101" study guide for those who are considering expanding into this growing luxury market. 

Michelle Graff

A 70-carat rough white diamond from the Diavik mine in Canada is among the lots that will be offered at Rio Tinto’s first tender of the year, which will take place in Israel and Antwerp.

Michelle Graff

Web site upgrades for MJSA, colored gemstone company Omi Privé and insurance company Jewelers Unblocked are among the industry players to debut new websites recently.

Michelle Graff

Due to “other professional commitments,” Pandora’s Chairman of the Board Marcello Bottoli will step down as soon as a successor is found, the jewelry company announced Monday.  

Michelle Graff

On a busy afternoon in his store, one Illinois retailer strayed from the normal procedures used when buying diamonds over the counter and ended up with moissanite. He cautions other retailers to take their time when buying merchandise off the street and inspect the metal and stones carefully. 

Michelle Graff

Manufacturer Ptak Brothers Jewelry has introduced the “Loving Embrace” program, a new business-to-business product designed to help jewelers close bridal sales.

Michelle Graff

After being deemed compliant by the Kimberley Process in November, the Ivory Coast will urge the United Nations to lift its embargo on the nation’s diamond exports at a meeting scheduled for next month, Reuters reported.

Michelle Graff

U.S. Antique Shows has announced that it will hold its trade-only Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show from May 29 to June 1 at the Paris hotel.

Michelle Graff

Following its all-day conference on Wednesday, the Women’s Jewelry Association moved to the 44th floor of the Hearst Tower in Manhattan for the evening and recognized its 10 “Shining Stars” for the year.

Michelle Graff

Fourth quarter sales were up 17 percent for ShopHQ as the multimedia retailer enticed customers to buy by offering more merchandise at lower price points. 

Michelle Graff

The Oppenheimer family and diamantaire Laurence Graff still rank among the world’s richest while the founder of Firestar Diamond is a “new billionaire,” according to Forbes’ annual list of the world’s wealthiest people, which was released this week.

Michelle Graff

Once again, investing magnate and Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett will step behind the Borsheims counter to sell jewelry to shareholders of his company.

Michelle Graff

Alfred Albrizio, jewelry designer and owner of the C’est Magnifique jewelry store in New York City, died Feb. 2. He was 66 years old.

Michelle Graff

The government of Greenland has given Canada’s True North Gems Inc. an exclusive 30-year mining license for the Aappaluttoq ruby deposit in Greenland.

Michelle Graff

The American Gem Society Laboratories is opening its first take-in window in New York’s Diamond District, and it will be operated by Brinks from its offices in the 580 building.

Michelle Graff

The 162.02-carat and 161.31-carat diamonds recovered by Gem Diamonds Ltd. in January sold for a total of $13.5 million at the miner’s February tender.

Michelle Graff