Leonard “Lenny” Friedman, graduate gemologist and co-founder of Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers in Los Angeles, died Friday, one day shy of his 96th birthday.

Michelle Graff

This week, Antwerp will host another run-of-mine tender of diamonds from Zimbabwe’s Marange region that will be “substantially bigger” than the first held in December, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre announced.

Michelle Graff

With the economy anticipated to grow at its fastest rate in three years and unemployment dropping, the National Retail Federation predicts retail will be in a “relatively good place” in 2014.

Michelle Graff

Colin Cowie, a design consultant and event planner who has a partnership with the Platinum Guild International, emphasized the importance of the client-consumer relationship and offered tips on maintaining it in his recent presentation at the Centurion show.

Michelle Graff

Erica Courtney is showing a number of new additions to the brand’s existing Drop Dead Gorgeous collection at the American Gem Trade Association’s GemFair show in Tucson this week.

Brecken Branstrator

Pantone has released its Fashion Color Report for fall 2014, identifying the 10 hues that will be prominent in fashion and design at the end of the year. 

Michelle Graff

Presidium Instruments is showcasing what it claims is the world’s first device to detect flame fusion-created rubies at the American Gem Trade Association GemFair this week.

Brecken Branstrator

At the AGTA GemFair on Wednesday, Performance Concepts’ Kate Peterson outlined eight consumer trends for 2014 and how retailers can translate them into sales at their stores.

Brecken Branstrator

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee has introduced a new program that reviews jewelers’ online advertisements to ensure they comply with federal laws.

Michelle Graff

Frederic Duclos is showcasing an expanded colored gemstone collection in Tucson, matching the stones with its signature sterling silver, in addition to offering a new mixed- metal look featuring yellow gold and ruthenium finishes.

Brecken Branstrator

Diamond wholesale company Avilan has launched a new program that pairs socially aware jewelry designers with its “recycled” diamonds, meaning previously owned stones that haven’t just emerged from any of the world’s mines.

Michelle Graff

Blue Nile announced Thursday that it has set up a second in-store display, this one in the Nordstrom bridal suite at Roosevelt Field, a large mall on New York’s Long Island.

Michelle Graff

San Antonio, Texas and Seattle top Amazon.com’s annual list of the 20 most romantic cities in the United States, an annual inventory of the metropolitan areas where residents ordered the most love-related books, movies and music over the past year.

Michelle Graff

Ruth Batson, Mark Light and the Richline Group will be inducted into the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Hall of Fame this year and will be honored at the organization’s annual Awards for Excellence gala in New York on July 28.

Michelle Graff

The Jewelers Vigilance Committee will host a seminar at the AGTA GemFair in Tucson on Thursday to give an update on compliance topics relevant to jewelers and the industry at large.

Michelle Graff

Scottsdale, Ariz.--Jewelry brand Slane is focusing on gold for 2014, expanding the 18-karat gold collection re-launched at Couture last June.

Biel/Bienne, Switzerland--Swatch Group reported a 9 percent increase in net sales and a 17 percent increase in operating profit, boosted by the watch giant’s multimillion-dollar settlement with Tiffany & Co. 

Michelle Graff

The Diamond Empowerment Fund announced Tuesday that Signet Jewelers will be the first premier presenting sponsor of its “Diamonds in the Sky” event this spring.

Michelle Graff

The National Retail Federation predicts that Americans’ post-recession frugality will continue through Valentine’s Day, with slightly fewer consumers expected to purchase jewelry for the holiday.

Michelle Graff

The current head of watch company U-Boat is investing an undisclosed sum in Christina Debs Fine Jewelry, a Paris-based brand created by the designer of the same name.  

Michelle Graff

Designer Todd Reed is opening a store on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Los Angeles this September that will carry a range of jewelry but primarily will serve as a men’s boutique.

Lisa Nik unveiled new custom-designed engagement rings from her Honeymoon collection as well as other recently introduced pieces from other lines at Centurion, which is taking place now in Scottsdale. 

Same-store sales increased 3 percent year-over-year in the all-important months of November and December, struggling retailer J.C. Penney reported Tuesday.  

Michelle Graff

JA New York has released the lineup of speakers and panels for the education program at its upcoming winter show, helping retailers take home relevant information on top of a new stock of jewelry. 

Michelle Graff

After the Super Bowl safety that started Sunday’s game, shocking viewers across the country and ultimately serving as a not-so-super harbinger for the Denver Broncos, Jeff Dennis Jewelers will be giving more than 400 customers their money back. 

Brecken Branstrator