They examine the year’s most memorable jewelry news stories and make predictions for 2022.
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![A new OSHA rule will require companies with 100 or more employees to either have their workers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or require weekly testing. Here’s what retailers need to know. 2021_Vaccination.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1ed733b4b5718d6269796de83f4be401.jpg)
Plus, why the National Retail Federation is suing over the OSHA rule.
![The CDC announced last week fully vaccinated individuals could resume most indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask. Retailers are calling for more clarity on the state and local level. 20210520_Customer shopping with mask.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c11c612320c3999bbbe2af81c13dd115.jpg)
Differing guidance on the federal, state, and local levels is causing confusion for retailers and customers.
![Consumers have altered their shopping habits since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new report from The Conference Board takes a look at those changes. 20210402_COVID shopping.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6d5271d538dbcd5840eb7fdbf09be6d8.jpg)
From frugal spending to a focus on wellness, a new report looks at how consumer behavior has evolved since the start of the pandemic.
![Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program would be accepted until May 31 under the PPP Extension Act of 2021. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill in the coming days. 20210330_White House.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/0d0b2d21340b379ab9c3340579a865b6.jpg)
Lingering technical and administrative issues have had some business organizations calling for more time to apply.
This includes the launch of a new event: AGTA GemFair Denver in September.
![Signet Jewelers’ donation to Akron Children's Hospital will bolster its COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Signet_Donates.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/fa1d841e8ceb9af79a1e848f1c8dd62a.jpg)
The donation will facilitate the hospital’s efforts to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to local school personnel.
![Ancient mosaics at the historical Palazzo Lambardi in Arezzo, Italy, the setting for the Italian Exhibition Group’s all-digital We Are Jewellery event later this month. IEG plans to resume in-person shows in June. 20210304_IEG_We_Are_Jewellery.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/052219337ce88e30da6dd4c06711be79.jpg)
They kick off with a major one next month, IIJS Signature in India, scheduled to be held in early April.
![Neckpiece by Rebecca Hannon, comprised of Formica, cable and magnet. The chain is exactly 6 feet long and can be held between two people to ensure social distancing. 20210304_ASJRA-header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/b9b08cdc0166c864301442b02a9e88e7.jpg)
More than 50 jewelry artists will reflect on their experiences during the global pandemic in this upcoming event.
![President Joe Biden has implemented changes to the Paycheck Protection Program as small businesses continue to struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 20210303_White_House.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/ce05ed7174f28f12394faf70f7255e86.jpg)
President Joe Biden revised PPP to prioritize small business owners who may have missed out on previous rounds.
![Rough diamond sales declined 30 percent in dollars terms and 27 percent in volume terms for De Beers Group in 2020, as the pandemic impacted all points in the supply chain, halting retail sales, manufacturing and mining. (Photo courtesy of De Beers Group) 2016_De-Beers-rough-2.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/0c8a87b443b559d6af12b66cfda083e9.jpg)
The diamond miner and marketer said COVID-19 had a “profound impact” on global diamond supply and demand.
![AGTA’s Tucson GemFair, shown here in a shot from 2020, won’t be happening this year. The organization announced Monday it has scrapped plans to produce an April show. 20210223_Tucson-show.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/e758b8e1958b05e190bd8528607e6554.jpg)
The organization said it’s come to the determination that producing a Tucson show “would not be viable this year.”
![Messe München has canceled Inhorgenta Munich 2021. The next in-person edition of the show is scheduled to take place Feb. 11 to 14, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Messe München) 20210217_Inhorgenta_Munich_header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/144208ecdb288858ecf12428471a704e.jpg)
Messe München has set the dates for 2022 and is organizing another online TrendFactory event for later this year.
![Gemstone cutter John Dyer displayed these two new tourmalines during his “Virtual Tucson” event. 20210212_John-Dyer-header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/39febdb397b8f6431338edad8ed915f5.jpg)
Players in the market talk website upgrades, price impacts and bringing that desert feel to clients.
![Designer Alice Cicolini at her booth at Couture 2019, the last time the show took place. The 2021 show is scheduled for Aug. 24 to 26 in the new event space at the Wynn Las Vegas. (Photo credit: Sandro Art + Photography) 20210204_Couture_show_shot.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/75fffc320c9e1379fe6b9b52bf72a029.jpg)
The upscale jewelry trade show is scheduled for Aug. 24-26 at the Wynn Las Vegas.
![The Orapa Mine in Botswana. De Beers’ production fell 18 percent year-over-year in 2020, including a 28 percent drop in Botswana, its biggest producer. (©De Beers Group, Photo credit: Ben Perry, Armoury Films) 2021_Orapa_mine_De_Beers.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/0e8b8ad2841fd6b80cd4304c1bd8aeca.jpg)
The diamond miner and marketer’s updated production target is now 32 million to 34 million carats.
![A rendering of the show floor at HourUniverse, the new trade fair from the organizers of Baselworld. HourUniverse is set to take place at Messe Basel, the same convention center that housed Baselworld; dates are still to be determined due to COVID-19. (Courtesy of Hour Universe—MCH Group) 2021_HourUniverse_show_floor.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/d8f37acc31bf88124a15077e2a49ce9c.jpg)
The show formerly known as Baselworld isn’t happening in April, though organizers say they remain committed to hosting a live event in 2021.
![A shot from JCK Las Vegas 2019. This year’s JCK Las Vegas shows are set for Aug. 24-30 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 20210125_JCK.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1f0455dbfc2899b1066d5a00b74833ff.jpg)
The jewelry trade shows will remain at The Venetian Resort & Sands Expo and have the same date patterns.
![From left, Mark Turner, a representative from the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, St. John & Myers Diamonds and Fine Jewelry co-owner Louis Scholz, and store associate Mikah Tribbey share lunch ordered from a local restaurant. Scholz and his wife launched a program designed to encourage other business owners to order from local restaurants. 20210122_Restaurant_Rally.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/465aeffe4d995e287e7bb8cb943a15f0.jpg)
St. John & Myers Diamonds and Fine Jewelry in Lexington, Kentucky is encouraging fellow small businesses to frequent struggling restaurants.
Details about the four sessions over the two-day event are also now available.
![Neiman Marcus, JC Penney and a few other big-name retailers all filed Chapter 11 in 2020. 20201222_Bankruptcy_header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/05d6e061c6cbbd302acd14ddf1c640da.jpg)
From Neiman Marcus to Lord & Taylor, here’s a look back at the biggest bankruptcies of the year and where the retailers are now.
It will instead host a virtual event in February but still plans to hold its August conference in Kansas City.
Slated for Jan. 8, it will include networking, new initiatives, and a spotlight on five “leaders in leisure.”
![A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a $908 billion COVID-19 relief bill, which includes aid for small businesses and vaccine distribution. 20201215_Capitol_Building.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/f56677ff559e1a44e46400b5ed3b8d3e.jpg)
The two-part bill would give $300 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program but does not include stimulus checks.
![The American Museum of Natural History in New York is delaying the opening of its renovated gem halls until at least spring 2021. The museum as a whole remains open, though only at 25 percent capacity. 20201103_AMNH-Header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/5a4d48ae0a39ea1d33c387ae072423fe.jpg)
New York’s American Museum of Natural History is pushing the opening of its redesigned gem gallery to spring 2021.