Rumor mill

Westwood Next? Another fashion brand will dabble in jewelry beginning this spring. This time, however, the jewelry will be launched by a well-known jewelry insider. German manufacturer and designer Gert Hellmuth, Hellmuth Simply Good, has reportedly partnered with Vivienne Westwood to launch a new line under the Westwood name.

Trump Motto: Why Pay Retail? The Trumps did little for the bridal jewelry industry, despite the recent marriage of Papa Donald and the engagement of Donald Jr. New York media reported that the Donald paid only half price for the ring he gave third wife, Melania Knauss. The jeweler, Graff, expects to make up the difference in free publicity. Donald Jr., meanwhile, made a different sort of spectacle of himself and a well-known jeweler. Junior proposed in a New Jersey shopping mall, in front of reporters and cameras, all for the sake of a freebie ring from Bailey Banks & Biddle. We expect this from the Trumps, but shame on industry insiders for sullying the dignity of the bridal category.

Classics Forever. The top-three jewelry buys at Ross-Simons this holiday season were diamond drop earrings, a classic circle pin, and a cuff bracelet, according to a company report. Darrell Ross, president of Ross-Simons, told the media: "White classics still dominate."