This week: a 4,000-year-old necklace found in garbage. California jeweler accused of scams closes shop. Gold bar–dispensing ATM in Manhattan. All below.
Waldman files for Chapter 11.
Number of synthetics exaggerated, study finds.
Diamonds most popular jewelry category; 18 percent bought online.
– Unity Marketing: Forget De Beers. Hearts On Fire store appeals to millennials.
– Avi Krawitz on the diamond dream.
De Beers sales exec sees “tremendous change” in business.
– Company to focus on bigger buyers.
– CEO says that “peak diamonds” are three years away.
– … and that industry “isn’t doing too badly.”
122 ct. blue diamond found in South Africa.
– Pink diamonds earn lots of green at Christie’s.
New smart ring notifies you of phone calls, messages.
Apple introducing smartwatch in October, report claims.
– Three million smartwatches sold in last year.
– Pebble, Samsung dominate market.
– Pebble sales surging.
Tissot opens first U.S. boutique.
Mad Style acquires Elly Preston Jewelry.
Nordstrom opening BaubleBar shops in all its stores.
Ritani on track to do $50 million this year, exec says.
J.C. Penney targets Latina market.
– Company is closing new round of financing.
– Turned e-business around by going omnichannel.
U.S. retail sales miss expectations.
– IDEX sees turgid growth in United States, rest of world.
– Small-business optimism climbs to prerecession levels.
What jewelry retailers need to know about the FTC’s Guides.
What big jewelry chains said about conflict minerals.
New WDC president says KP should focus only on conflict diamonds. (I should note that if you read his statement—full text here—he says the definition of conflict should be expanded.)
Dubai responds to allegations from Partnership Africa Canada.
Israeli bourse may create code of ethics for members.
Dominion sales soar, a year after buying Ekati.
– Stock sparkles.
Canadian diamond exploration perks up.
– Veteran diamond explorer looking again.
New deputy PM in charge of Alrosa.
– Plans innovation center.
Zimbabwe diamond mine shuts down.
Bid reached to end South African platinum mine strike.
Peru blows up illegal gold mining machines.
Silver moves to new electronic pricing mechanism.
La Jolla, Calif., jeweler accused of scams closes up shop.
New Jersey pawnshop accused of replacing diamonds with CZ.
Oceanside Jewelers to open Oceanside pawnshops.
Bucelatti opening larger store in New York City.
Reeds Jewelers now accepting bitcoin.
Five jewelers targeting LGBT market.
Claire Powell joins Geneva Watch Group.
Debbie Puccio joins U.S. Antique Shows.
Igor Vander joins D’Orazio & Associates.
Lindsey Steill joins the Edge Retail Academy.
Batson, Bonaparte, Richline Group honored by WJA.
Blue Nile hailed for “affordable luxury” (and free cash flow).
Who’s more ruthless—Walmart or Amazon?
Chinese e-commerce powerhouse may move to American market.
America’s wealthiest zip codes.
World Cup fans too busy to get engaged, English jewelers feel.
Jewels at the Tony Awards.
Jessica Biel, Hillary Swank at opening of Tiffany Paris store.
Kim Kardashian shows off diamond wedding band.
The diamond necklace that cost Marie Antoinette her head.
Science creates new synthetic micro diamonds.
Gold bar–dispensing ATM in Manhattan.
Jewelry made of human hair.
A 4,000-year-old necklace is found in garbage.
Woman leaves diamonds on subway.
Bride’s ring stolen on wedding day.
Media Watch:
France 24 on blood diamonds and the Kimberley Process.
Kay balks at honoring salesman’s warranty.
Associated Press on buying an engagement ring without breaking the bank.
Philly.com on ethical diamond rings. Pretty good piece.
The Telegraph goes inside Tiffany’s secret room of big spenders. (Video)
Wired visits the strange world inside gemstones.
Gizmodo calls Russia mine “the opening to Hell.”
From the blog:
De Beers Exec: “We See Tremendous Change in the Business”
What Big Chains Said About Conflict Minerals
Have a great weekend!
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