How does it go? "Treat others as you would like to be treated," I think. Which means that if you would like someone to walk into your store and shell out a few thousand dollars for a piece of jewelry...

Michelle Graff

Of the 800-plus brick-and-mortar shops projected to close their doors for good this year, how many will be missed? That's a question that was posed to attendees of the American Gem Society Conclave by management expert Jim Collins. How many...

Michelle Graff

10. You check under your bed for life preservers…just in case. 9. Green asparagus looks strangely discolored to you. 8. You attend a trade show and wonder where all the dogs and baby strollers are. 7. You feel the need...

Michelle Graff

Many retail jewelers view e-commerce sites—and online auction sites in particular—with a skeptical eye. But some are discovering how to use these sites to their advantage. For example, Maryland-based Mervis Diamond Importers recently announced a partnership with auction site Bid4Assets.com...

Michelle Graff

So I hit the malls last weekend looking for dresses for the seven (yes, you read that correctly) weddings I've got coming up this season. I didn't get very far, however, as I just could not compete with the mobs...

Michelle Graff

Emily Armenta So original, yet so on trend, these pendants just beg to be layered on top of a summer dress (that is, if summer would ever get here). From the "Midnight" collection, the pieces come in 18-karat gold and...

Michelle Graff

Looks like I am on the wrong career path. Forbes has released its annual list of salaries for the chief executive officers of America's 500 biggest companies. The CEOs, whose salaries received an aggregate 6 percent pay increase last year,...

Michelle Graff

In the brief two years since its launch, YouTube has gone from a clearinghouse for random, offbeat videos to a bonified new media source arguably as influential in politics as it is in pop culture. (Who can forget George Allen's...

Michelle Graff

I'm a celebrity junkie as much as anyone. I devour Us Weekly and People each week when they arrive in the office, and I have been known to prefer Access Hollywood to World News Tonight. Nonetheless, even I have overdosed...

Michelle Graff

Yael Sonia "Curve" ring in 18-karat yellow gold with 9 mm Tahitian pearls and diamonds totaling 0.47 carats. I love the way this ring has such bold lines and fluidity, and looks like a tiny sculpture for your hand. The...

Michelle Graff

By Teresa Novellino I think a certain dog in Maryland is entitled to a trip to the pet spa and a whole lot of dog biscuits. Jewelry artist Debbie Parkhurst says she was eating an apple last Friday when she...

Michelle Graff

Better keep your pop tunes handy, you never know who might walk through the door of your store. John Mayer, 29, was spotted Friday for the third time in as many months, jewelry shopping for himself and gal pal Jessica...

Michelle Graff

At least one jeweler should probably do more than just buy jewelry at Las Vegas Market Week this year. New York jeweler Danny Yousefzadeh, 40, won first place and almost a half million dollars in a World Series of Poker...

Michelle Graff

Sarah Graham Metalsmithing, (800) 670-0917 Bamboo Hoop Earrings in 18-karat white gold and diamonds. These earrings measure about 3/4-inch in diameter and perfectly illustrate two hot jewelry trends of the moment: non-traditional hoops and organic inspiration. Suggested retail price is...

Michelle Graff

The jewelry industry loves billionaires. After all, how many regular old millionaires can plunk down $250,000 for a new necklace or a fancy ring? Apparently, the jewelry industry breeds billionaires, too. A good chunk of the people on Forbes' recently...

Michelle Graff

It was FREEZING in New York City last week, but the stores are already showing spring and summer clothes, so that's where my fashion focus has wandered. Of course, no spring outfit would be complete without a little bit of...

Michelle Graff

For those who’ve been struggling over the age-old question “What shall I indulge in, diamonds or a flat-screen TV?” A. Link and Philips Electronic now have the perfect answer: An Ambilight Flat TV featuring 225 carats of diamonds. The set,...

Michelle Graff

If I had been strutting the red carpet on Oscar night, here's what I would have worn along with my purple, backless Versace gown. (Hey, a girl can dream, right?) Vacheron Constantin The Lady Kala Duchesse watch gives a whole...

Michelle Graff

The biggest names in Hollywood played it safe stylewise at the Oscars for the most part, with diamond-laden bangles, cuffs and earrings appearing almost as often as strapless gowns and poker-straight hair. A few A-listers stood apart from the crowd,...

Michelle Graff

Alexandra Van Dell, (617) 335-2863 This simple yet stunning necklace comes in 18-karat white gold with diamonds and 4 mm pearls. Like all Van Dell pieces, this necklace is versatile, working well alone or with any of the designer's mix-and-match...

Michelle Graff

Paula Crevoshay I can just see these earrings adding the finishing touch to a fabulous cocktail dress and heels. A fine-jewelry collector's dream, these breathtaking one-of-a-kind earrings by Paula Crevoshay feature her signature fleur-de-lis design set in 18-karat gold and...

Michelle Graff

My fiancé hates Valentine's Day. He thinks it's a made-up holiday invented by greeting-card companies, florists and jewelers to guilt men into spending money on romantic gifts. So we compromise by going to a nice dinner on Feb. 14, instead...

Michelle Graff

Voila Watches The aptly named "Lost in Time" watches may not be the easiest to read, but they are definitely fun to look at. The timepieces have an artistic and contemporary look, expressing a woman's individuality. The watches come with...

Michelle Graff

I have to be honest. The trend toward "grills" (basically bling for the mouth) totally grosses me out. The pieces have been popular in hip-hop communities for several years now, but they have recently sprung to mainstream prominence following last...

Michelle Graff

I know Valentine's Day is two weeks away, but I am already in the mood... M Pearl, (401) 295-6565 Double-row, 17-inch necklace with cranberry-colored keshi pearls, sage-colored freshwater coin pearls and smokey quartz briolettes. I love the bold colors and...

Michelle Graff