Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff returns from Rhode Island with thoughts about in-store shopping and a trends report.
Search
![A shot of the Venetia diamond mine in South Africa, owned by De Beers Group. The diamond miner and marketer saw revenue drop 21 percent and rough diamond sales decline 20 percent in a “weak” market for diamonds. De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a1f16ceaaba662e80385166060d192a7.jpg)
Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
![A malachite and diamond bracelet from Pomellato’s “Pom Pom Dot” collection, launched earlier this year. Pomellato and Boucheron were bright spots for Kering in an otherwise underwhelming first half of the year. Pomellato Malachite Pom Pom Dot bracelet](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3c237b62e009742fc52487097daf3c5a.jpg)
The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
![Ghazi Osta, better known as Gus, was the owner and president of Volusia Gold & Diamond, a store he and his wife, Leigh Osta, opened in 1986. He was shot and killed inside the store Friday afternoon after a brief argument with a regular customer. (Photo courtesy of Volusia Gold & Diamond Facebook page) Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c8c1fa3df746cbd364915a98dcac9d21.jpg)
Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
![Longtime Washington, D.C., jeweler Brian Mann (right) with his wife Jessie Mann, an artist who custom-paints porcelain Limoges Boxes, at a 2016 Jewelers of America member event. Mann, the longtime co-owner of David Mann Jewelers, died June 21 at age 70. Brian and Jessie Mann](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/be4debc6e0b3198943a66ef0e2197c2c.jpg)
Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
![The recently completed solar power plant at Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine. The mine, which is expected to cease production in 2026, saw production drop 28 percent in Q2 and 26 percent year-to-date. (Photo courtesy of Rio Tinto) Diavik Diamond Mine solar power plant](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/27d6f04b3267a4b01b571f8da2da7985.jpg)
The company’s sole remaining diamond operation, Diavik, produced 702,000 carats of diamonds, down from 970,000 a year ago.
![Ewa Abrams, who spent more than 17 years at Tiffany & Co. before joining Kering in 2018, has been appointed as Kering’s new president of the Americas region. Her appointment is effective Aug. 1. Ewa Abrams, Kering’s new president for the Americas](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/2cba2d6105c21fbd065a01461de5edde.jpg)
The luxury conglomerate promoted General Counsel Ewa Abrams to the role, succeeding Laurent Claquin.
![Victor Corporation President John Youkilis, left, is retiring and selling the family business to Minneapolis-based Ostbye & Anderson, headed by Craig MacBean. John Youkilis and Craig MacBean](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/291bf264dc0ebabf9bfbfdb495beca44.jpg)
The Minneapolis-based company bought Victor Corporation, which has been making jewelry in Cincinnati since 1946.
![National Jeweler top 10 stories of 2024 graphic](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1486f88bcf2d1d411a09d674f3bfaa62.png)
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares a rundown of the National Jeweler website’s most popular articles as we hit the halfway point of the year.
![Rough diamonds from De Beers’ Gahcho Kue diamond mine in Canada. The company’s most recent round of rough diamond sales brought in $315 million, down by double-digits both year-over-year and cycle-to-cycle. (©De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films) Stock image of rough diamonds from De Beers Gahcho Kue diamond mine](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/e323e78dbd5f06073d9f83e4ad1a03d8.jpg)
The company sold $315 million in rough in the fifth sales cycle of the year, down from $456 million in the same period last year.
![The European Union announced Monday that it has adopted its 14th package of sanctions on Russia. It included updates to the EU’s ban on Russian diamonds that took effect Jan. 1. Stock image of diamonds](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/aaf54c1b18e0c3b7f0f18c5f30278d21.jpg)
The European Union has delayed its deadline for implementing a “robust” traceability mechanism for rough diamonds by six months.
![Formula One driver Charles Leclerc, right, recently became an investor in watch e-tailer Chrono24. He is pictured with Tim Stracke, Chrono24 founder and current chairman of the board. (Photo courtesy of Chrono24) Formula One driver Charles Leclerc, Chrono24 founder and Chairman Tim Stracke](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/38943e753bfe692f0fbce1070db3d77c.jpg)
Charles Leclerc and his brother, Lorenzo Leclerc, have sunk money into the watch marketplace.
![Crafted in 1866-1867, this silver, silver gilt, and ivory tea set is described in Tiffany & Co. records as “Moresque.” It served as an early example of the influence Persian designs had on longtime Tiffany & Co. silversmith Edward C. Moore. A collection of objects belonging to Moore is currently on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. (© The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2024) Tiffany & Co. silver tea set](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/0ed1d26b45436b2f8f9017096dc7efd9.jpg)
A collection of the silversmith’s personal objects, as well as items created during his time at Tiffany, are on display at the Met.
![Sara Yood, left, will become the new president, CEO, and general counsel of the JVC on June 24. She succeeds Tiffany Stevens, who is leaving the organization after seven and a half years. JVC’s Sara Yood and Tiffany Stevens](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/228c5278dafaf1510e23d1f54f480ba4.jpg)
The leadership change at the organization charged with guiding the industry on legal issues will take effect next week.
![Chris Cramer, Claire’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer, has been named interim CEO following the resignation of Ryan Vero. He will continue as CFO and COO in addition to being interim CEO. Claire’s interim CEO Chris Cramer](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9aa28b30e08ed65f8c3ba76bef770efa.jpg)
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Chris Cramer has been named interim CEO.
![Al Cook became CEO of De Beers Group in early 2023, succeeding longtime De Beers executive Bruce Cleaver. During an interview at JCK Las Vegas, he discussed the timeline for Anglo American’s sale or demerger of De Beers, the new plan to promote natural diamonds with Signet, and its future plans for the Lightbox factory in Oregon. De Beers CEO Al Cook](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/5b804370945780be5f88b012a47a4753.jpg)
The De Beers CEO discussed the Anglo American situation, natural diamond marketing, and why the future of lab-grown diamonds is technology.
![“The Eden Rose,” a fancy intense pink diamond weighing a little over 10 carats, appeared at auction for the first time Tuesday, headlining Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale in New York. An unnamed buyer paid $13.3 million for the stone. The Eden Rose Diamond](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1d0d8e61c848da5bf9252beabc019081.jpg)
“The Eden Rose” is a fancy intense pink diamond that was appearing at auction for the first time.
![Sam Hines, left, is now Sotheby’s chairman of watches while Geoff Hess has been promoted to global head of watches. Sotheby’s watch executives Sam Hines and Geoff Hess](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/fd1ad4dd8f270fdded88589b6ac6d264.jpg)
Sam Hines returns to the auction house as chairman, watches, while Geoff Hess moves up to the role of global head of watches.
![Elephants wade in Botswana’s Okavango Delta in the early morning. Ecotourism in the Delta is one area in which government officials see potential for job growth and revenue generation. (Photo by Chris Boyes/National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project) Elephants wading in the Okavango Delta in Botswana](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c1cb4f91dc45fd9141a41f942a87b1d4.jpg)
From moringa to ecotourism in the Okavango Delta, the country and its leaders are exploring how Botswana can diversify its economy.
![Tabayer Oera ‘Unity’ Ring](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/10fbc6736a60d3c933c886803a6878bf.jpg)
Crafted in Fairmined gold with a rainbow of agate, the ring is a joyful symbol of inclusivity, diversity, and solidarity.
![Stock image of a gavel](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a3c58092503a7acb54cdca278fb093a2.jpg)
A jury convicted Marco Bisbikis and Roy Larry in the murder-for-hire plot targeting Daniel “Hutch” Hutchinson, owner of Hutch’s Jewelry.
![The new Inoveo Platinum (grain pictured at left) and insights into engagement ring and fashion jewelry trends were among the highlights at the Stuller booth at JCK Las Vegas 2024. Platinum grain, an on-trend diamond engagement ring, and on-trend gold hoop earrings](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/430856127c27800ffd788e8b8c08c4cc.jpg)
On-trend engagement rings, bold gold jewelry, and a new platinum alloy were on display at the company’s busy booth.
![The Natural Diamond Council’s new “Real. Rare. Responsible” campaign starring actress and NDC ambassador Lily James (“Cinderella,” “Downton Abbey”) was shot in Canada’s Northwest Territories, where the Northern Lights are visible more than half the year. (Photo courtesy of the Natural Diamond Council) Actress Lily James with a rough diamond and the Northern Lights](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/b7b93e1b15d468ef35e360cefae916ef.jpg)
Shot in Canada’s Northwest Territories in winter, the campaign features actress and NDC ambassador Lily James and the Northern Lights.
![The exterior of De Beers Group’s diamond factory in Gresham, Oregon. The company announced last week that it is transitioning production at the facility from diamonds for jewelry to diamonds for industrial and technology uses. CEO Al Cook said the exterior of the factory, which currently reads “Lightbox,” will eventually be rebranded. Exterior Lightbox diamond factory Gresham, Oregon](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3dc17575a2a3b534b61600d251057ce7.jpg)
The company is pivoting production at its factory in Oregon to industrial diamonds, while the future of Lightbox remains unclear.
![De Beers Group’s latest round of rough diamond sales totaled $380 million, down 21 percent year-over-year. The company expects natural diamond sales to remain challenging in the near future but anticipates an uptick in engagements in the coming years. (©De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films) Stock image of a diamond engagement ring](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/8095725f21e3c25f478154b7f55085d8.jpg)
The company sold $380 million in rough diamonds, compared with $479 million in the same period last year.