This is my last Friday roundup of 2021. I’ll be on vacation for the next two weeks, though you may see my name pop up in a few articles. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
See you in 2022! It may be hard to top this year business-wise, but I hope we do far better health- and humanity-wise. I hope everyone has the happiest of New Years.
This week: Is the jewelry industry too introverted? Swiss company offers watchmaking classes. And the most powerful Marvel superhero jewelry. All below.
Jewelers are enjoying a sparkling holiday season.
– Sales for first week in December looking good.
– Survey: 75% of jewelers saw sales rise in November.
– U.S. jewelry sales “explosion” continues.
– 148 million Americans plan to shop on Super Saturday.
– Consumers like buy online, pick up in store.
– Four books for the jewelry lover’s library.
JCK’s 2021 holiday commercial roundup.
Pinterest survey sheds light on 2022 trends.
Andrea Hill looks at the industry’s “introversion.”
David Yurman claims Mejuri is “ripping him off.”
Lenore Fedow tries out jewelry subscription service Rocksbox.
Patek-Tiffany watch sells for $6.5 million at auction.
– Jay-Z has one.
Soaring prices, shortages don’t harm the Rolex brand.
Watches of Switzerland benefits from a “well-timed start.”
Despite ban, Burmese rubies still sold here, report says.
Report: India diamantaires busted for “money-laundering” lab-grown gem scheme.
– Indian Customs seizes millions in undeclared diamonds.
Watching De Beers grow diamonds in Oregon.
De Beers extends sales deal as it negotiates new contract.
– Botswana looks to diversify beyond diamonds.
– Plans steady output through 2024.
Paul Zimnisky: New Chinese jewelry stores will continue to grow diamond demand.
– Zimnisky talks to head of ALTR (audio).
– Sees “small rough having a moment.”
How to bid at diamond tenders.
Qatar, Israel reach agreement on diamond trade.
Israeli authorities reduce diamond trade’s money-laundering risk.
South African authorities probing Alexkor.
Indigenous groups concerned about Point Lake’s impact on caribou.
Petra sells half its shares in Williamson mine.
European Parliament member wants to stop trade on diamonds linked to human rights abuses.
Reports persist of violence in Angolan diamond fields.
Merlin could be Australia’s biggest mine.
Diavik appoints its first female president.
Meet artisanal gold traceability implementer Suzanne Zave.
Chanel names new global CEO.
De Beers Group appoints new MD, managed operations.
Claire’s appoints new chief marketing officer.
The Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association elects new head.
Patek Philippe U.K. chairman Mark Hearn dies.
“Rainbow man” Eddy Elzas dies.
Larry Abels, founder of Selco Custom Time Corp., dies at 82.
Despite risks, watch brands bet big on China.
Isabel dos Santos hit with visa ban.
U.S. Customs seizes $3 million in fake jewelry, scarves.
U.S. opens probe into Amazon warehouse collapse in Illinois.
Halstead Bead challenges Louisiana sales taxes.
Many retail SEC filings were “hilarious.”
Neiman Marcus may split itself into three separate businesses.
Saks CEO says online split “makes sense.”
Italian jeweler Pasquale Bruni is betting on the United States.
Swiss company teaches students how to make a watch.
Jewelry business a “creative outlet” for Ph.D. student.
The new “impossible diamond setting.”
Jeweler honors geometrical symmetry of snowflakes.
Reena Ahluwalia, Kate Middleton’s tiara designer, released diamond-themed NFTs.
Lala Kent says ex gave her a “fake” engagement ring.
Sofia Vergara goes jewelry shopping in Beverly Hills.
Carrie Bradshaw’s necklace in And Just Like That….
The most powerful superhero jewelry in the Marvel universe.
Missing 1940s wedding ring creates “cold case” near Philly.
Wedding ring lost in a potato patch in the 1960s is found.
Thousand-year-old earring found in Denmark.
Flawed diamonds may prove perfect interface for quantum computers.
Internet backs Redditor for refusing to accept ring. Always good to have the entire internet on your side.
Media Watch
Fox Business talks to Signet CEO (video).
Yahoo Live talks to Manhattan Buyers cofounder (video).
Lifehacker ponders the “vacation ring.”
From the Blog
JCK’s 2021 Holiday Commercial Roundup
From the Podcast
The Jewelry District, Episode 58: A Look Back At 2021
From JCK Pro
30 of the Best Jewelry Reads of 2021
Have a safe, healthy, and happy weekend—and a safe, healthy, and happy new year!
– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.
– Twitter: @robbatesjck
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