This week: Is Sears’ end near? Shinola slogan challenged. And, um, menstruation-themed jewelry. All below.

 

Bleak Friday? Surveys call Thanksgiving weekend a turkey.

– Centurion sees a slow start.

– National Jeweler: Pandora, engagement ring best sellers.

– Michelle Graff’s three observations.

– Bank of America sees spending dip.

– Day declining in importance.

– 538: Ignore all the stories.

 

Pantone debuts Rose Quartz, Serenity as colors of 2016.

 

Jared adding Pandora shop-in-shops.

 

Forevermark now sold at Tourneau.

 

TAG Heuer upping smartwatch production.

 

Shinola “made in USA” slogan challenged.

 

GIA: Most doctored reports are still out there.

 

Exit interview with Peter Yantzer, former executive director of AGS Laboratories.

 

One year after Scott Kay’s death, the designer’s brand lives on.

 

Baume & Mercier president resigns, moves to Cartier.

 

Allison Carey named president at Luca + Danni.

 

Sol Meller, Feldmar Watch Co. president, dies.

 

Rio Tinto sees diamond logjam clearing up next year.

– Lucara CEO: Diamond glut overplayed.

– De Beers chief financial officer sees return of demand.

– Vinod Kuriyan: Rough price cuts will result in big losses.

– Ehud Laniado: Should we reduce volume instead?

– Vancouver Sun on the industry’s woes.

 

De Beers mothballing Snap Lake due to poor market.

– Could devastate local economy.

 

De Beers sells Kimberley mine for $7.2 million.

 

De Beers “polishes image” in Botswana.

– “Dubious benefits of beneficiation.”

– Delegates nervous about gun thefts at beneficiation conference.

 

Rio Tinto uncovers 187.7 ct. diamond.

 

Pope Francis decries unlawful diamond, gem trafficking.

 

Nobel Peace Prize to be made from Fairmined gold.

 

Antwerp finds fake KP certificates.

 

New report on artisanal diamond mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

Survival International says Bushmen still “suffering” from diamond mining.

 

Appeals court denies Sterling’s petition on EEOC case.

 

Seeking Alpha blogger calls Signet “a buy.”

– Gives “bear case” for Blue Nile.

 

End of Sears “is very near.”

 

Danielle Max: Jewelers turn to storytelling.

 

LVMH invests in Repossi.

 

Gold heads up after job data.

– It’s still headed to $900, technician says.

– Why some investors still believe in it.

 

Silver sparkles amid commodity gloom.

 

Apple Watch a “stalled platform.”

– Why some users are dissatisfied.

– Hurt by Fitbit?

 

Mashable sees more asymmetrical engagement rings.

 

Selling diamonds via WhatsApp.

 

Crimson Flame ruby sells for $18 million at Christie’s.

 

Gary Roskin talks about plans for ICA.

 

Researchers find new way to make diamonds at room temperature.

 

Jewelry hopes to destigmatize menstruation.

 

Kickstarter report: diamonds and DNA.

 

Poll measures what Belfast, Ireland, residents will spend on engagement rings.

 

Jaguars clash with gold miners in Guyana.

 

ISIS obsessed with gold currency.

 

Lawyer files for return of Koh I Noor.

 

Jewelers try to “awaken tne force.”

 

Amal Clooney downgrading her engagement ring.

– Can jewelry hurt your career?

 

Media Watch

Financial Times profiles Philippe Mellier (registration required).

Evening Standard looks at De Beers moving to Botswana.

CNN tours Jwaneng mine in Botswana.

The New York Times on our “obsession with diamonds.”

Interviews with Blue Nile CEO on GeekWire and Bloomberg (video).

 

From the Blog:

Exit Interview With Peter Yantzer, Executive Director of AGS Laboratories

One Year After Scott Kay’s Death, the Designer’s Brand Lives On

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com

– Twitter: @robbatesjck 

– Connect on LinkedIn

– Cutting Remarks RSS feed.  

Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine