Wishing a happy and healthy new year to all my readers who celebrate. L’shana tova!
This week: Uncertainty surrounds the U.S. holiday season. Company offers lab diamonds for free at Hong Kong show. And some people are using espresso machines to clean engagement rings. All below.
Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers split on holiday forecast
– Bain predicts 4% year-over-year growth for holiday retail sales, below 10-year average
– Analyst says retailers’ key to Q4 success is “a sharp understanding” of the consumer
– As holiday season starts, consumers worry about tariffs and inflation
In-transit tariff exemption doesn’t apply to air shipments
– Paul Zimnisky: How U.S. tariffs are impacting diamond prices
– Omega, Cartier tweak U.S. prices
– Jewelry brand Wolf stops shipping to the United States
– Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has powwow with De Beers’ Al Cook
– How some Indian companies are (legally) evading the tariffs
Vibhor acquires fellow manufacturer Alor
RJC debuts first marketing campaign
Stargems, Raj Mehta form venture aimed at luxe jewelers
Jared introduces origin-based diamond collection
– Jared’s diamond docu-short premieres in New York City
HB Antwerp cofounder calls diamond sales system “opaque”
Jeweler behind the “free lab diamonds” ad appears at Hong Kong show (subscription)
– Stand-up comic says women don’t like lab-growns (video)
Kira Jewels ramps up lab-grown production
Indian lab-grown brand Lucira raises $5.5 million
Lab-growns go “from novelty to nuisance”
Agence France-Presse on how lab-growns are hurting southern Africa
My takeaways from four sessions at AGS/GIA’s Converge
– Michelle Graff: Seven great quotes from the event
Avi Krawitz: Diamonds get squeezed while gold soars
Gold briefly crosses $3,700
– Bank of America sees it going higher
– Deutsche Bank lifts 2026 price forecast to $4,000
– Are we on the verge of a “commodity supercycle”?
– Good summary of “gold’s breathless rally”
Report: Saks Global considers selling minority stake in Bergdorf Goodman
Pandora to open new, larger U.S. distribution facility
Report: Sales at French jeweler Fred plummet (subscription)
MOD/Steel Horse Jewelry files for Chapter 11 (subscription)
Vibhor appoints Jacqueline Grande Raffi senior VP
J.C. Penney owner Catalyst Brands names new chief wholesale and business development officer
– Penney’s chief marketing officer talks about using humor for holidays
Gap hires ex-Tiffany artistic director for jewelry push
Former Lugano Diamonds CEO Moti Ferder faces numerous lawsuits
– Los Angeles Times: What will happen to Ferder’s charitable contributions?
Feds allege L.A. jewelry store trafficked cocaine
What happened to Antwerp prosecutor after famed 2003 diamond heist?
French culture minister under investigation for not declaring jewelry
South China Morning Post: Geopolitics fueling gold scams in China (video)
How Rolex helped the U.K. market double in size
Singapore retailer The Hour Glass buy Australian Rolex business
Former Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henri Bennahmias start watch and luxury incubator
Jewelry maker CHJ joins Hong Kong IPO rush
Jennifer Fisher opens Madison Avenue flagship
– Fisher answers 20 questions for 20th anniversary
Look inside C.D. Peacock’s “mansion”
Chopard celebrates Ice Cube collection with cocktail party atop One Vanderbilt
Effy Jewelry, Princess Cruises announce Effy Hematian boutique modeled after New York store
Indigenous artist Jeffrey Gibson creates first jewelry line
Al Gilbertson receives 2025 Robert M. Shipley Award
Berneron co-founder Sylvain Berneron talks to Hodinkee’s Business of Watches podcast
Singapore retailer the Hour Glass buys Australian Rolex business
Bob’s Watches acquires 1970s Rolex won by contestant on The Price Is Right
Rare Cartier clock could fetch over $6 million in Sotheby’s auction
Vrai introduces lab-grown diamonds backed by Bitcoin
Russia has increased jewelry exports to Kazakhstan
Claire’s bankruptcy attorney fulfills vow to get his ear pierced
People use espresso machines to clean their engagement rings
Why U.K. searches for brooches are booming
Kate Middleton’s tiara was power player at Windsor Castle state banquet
Pharaoh’s 3,000-year-old bracelet goes missing from Egyptian museum
JCK’s Emmys jewelry roundup
– Blackpink’s Lisa wears millions of dollars in jewelry
– Jenna Ortega’s top is more jewelry than fabric
– Parker Posey sports 45 ct. emerald
– Emmys jewelry picks from Galerie, National Jeweler, Town & Country, InStore, W, and InStyle
Robert Redford was a big Rolex fan
Elton John had body parts turned into jewelry
Internet is obsessed with watch from hit Amazon Prime show The Summer I Turned Pretty
Very nice review of Making a Killing of Diamonds on Midwest Book Review
Media Watch
– Financial Times on Chopard’s new accessible high jewelry collection, London’s V&A museum spotlighting Marie Antionette’s design influence, interior designer Sophie Ashby’s favorite pieces, how Vermont-based designer Jason Wilbur is challenging Swiss watch giants, Tag Heuer’s new carbon hairspring, companies reviving the military-style field watch, and Sotheby’s auction of pieces from Suzanne Belperron
– The New York Times on Dominique Renaud’s upcoming horology school, how dealers are finding stolen watches by their serial numbers, a complete set of Patek Philippe pocket watches offered for sale by Sotheby’s, the mystery of the Waldorf Astoria’s lobby clock, La Vallée moving into more complex horology, Edinburgh’s greater prominence in watchmaking, and “cool” watch podcast Wrist Check (by Victoria Gomelsky)
From the Blog
Top Takeaways From Four Sessions at Converge
From the Podcast
The Jewelry District: Guest Scott Guginsky
Email: rbates –at – jckonline.com
– Connect on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram
– I’ve written four diamond industry mystery novels—check them out here!
(Photo: Getty Images)
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