Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
This is my last Diamond Shavings for the year. 2025 was certainly a crazy ride, and I wouldn’t be surprised if next year brings more of the same. Wishing all my readers a 2026 filled with health, happiness, peace, love, and mercy.
This week: Rolex prices rising 7% in new year. Pandora using AI to service customers. And Costco is still doing very well with gold bars. All below.
Gold caps record year by approaching new milestone: $4,500
– Costco’s gold bars selling out “within hours”
The Year in Review
– 40 best jewelry quotes of 2025
– The top 10 JCK podcasts
– National Jeweler looks back
– 23 best jewelry reads of 2025
Rolex prices to rise 7% in 2026
– Tudor limiting price increases to 4–8%
Swiss watch exports to U.S. fall 52% in November
– Jewelers Mutual: Watches play “important role in people’s lives”
L.A. precious metal biz pleads guilty to not filing 8300s
Report: Saks Global mulling bankruptcy
Deal to sell 120 JCPenney stores falls through
Pandora betting on AI for customer service during holiday
Kering takes stake in Raselli Franco Group
How Fossil decided its comeback involved losing sales
Five “smart resources to decode Gen Z”
Entrepreneur looks at India’s role in the lab-grown diamond boom
Axios charts the value of 3 ct. solitaires, lab versus natural
– Jeweller hosts the third “great diamond debate”
Outgoing Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie appears on Paul Zimnisky’s podcast
De Beers London CEO wants to change “diamond paradigm” (subscription)
De Beers execs tells Namibia about diamond promotion plans
Botswana’s economy forecast to shrink
What’s next for Ekati after loan? (video)
– Losing the mine “would have hurt,” government says
Alrosa’s diamond output falls lower than expected
Surat workers hurt by fall in diamond exports
South African community wants diamond-rich land back
Former Gemfields chairman Brian Gilbertson dies
Oris veteran Paul Thurlow retires after 50 years
Former Jewelry Industry Network directors issue statement
Zales opens new retail concept, “The Edit”
Why jewelry designers still favor Instagram
Steven Singer Jewelers opens new store
Inside U.K. jeweler Joe Spiro’s “minimalist” London apartment
Canadian pearl jewelry maker grows hobby into business
From the Blog
40 Best Jewelry-Related Quotes of 2025
From the Podcast
Olivia Landau and Kyle Simon of The Clear Cut Guest on The Jewelry District Podcast
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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