On a self-promotional note, I can announce that I will be emceeing the AGS Conclave once again in 2015. If you have never attended, it is a great event that provides a lot of useful information and networking (as well as fun), and, hey, it will be in New Orleans next year. Can’t beat that.
This week: Graff sues Antwerp company over stolen diamond. Are teens turned off to Apple Watch? And the very creepy Pavlok bracelet. All below.
Holiday sales looking good, forecasters say. Some interesting stats in the Accenture survey.
Judith Ripka shuts most stores in retail rethink.
J.C. Penney hopes to increase jewelry sales as business slows.
Report: Sears vendor halting shipments.
– Company calls report “misleading.”
– Photos of deserted Sears stores.
How Nordstrom beats everyone else in retail.
Amazon to open brick-and-mortar store in New York.
– Five reasons they should.
Mall industry hires PR firm to fight reports of its demise.
Backes & Strauss gets pop-up at Harrods.
Crunch Time?
– De Beers, other miners reduce prices.
– Indian press: Trade goes on “discount spree.”
– Industry group denies reports of discounts.
– Trade appeals to government.
Where De Beers really makes its money.
– Company isn’t opening a trade lab—for now.
– Forevermark’s new campaign.
Michelle Graff calls for honesty in grading.
– Adornamentality calls “bulls–t” on different lab standards.
DirectTV gives series order to diamond trade drama.
Some wishes for the diamond industry.
– Diamond industry must promote its importance, Schumer says.
Israeli Exchange sticking with anti-synthetic slogan.
Asian consumers want more than diamonds.
Swiss watch industry breathing easier about Apple Watch.
– Omega boss “unimpressed.”
– Teens tepid.
– Apple Watch makes debut on cover of Chinese Vogue.
– Replaceable computer chip for high-end model?
– Synthetic sapphire supplier goes bankrupt.
– Why it looks like a watch.
– Most thoughtful critics: watch bloggers.
The New York Times reviews smart jewelry options.
– New smart ring introduced in Japan.
– Bracelet shocks wearers to break bad habits.
Watch industry uneasy about Hong Kong unrest.
Indian industry worries about drop in U.S. exports.
– Gov’t. seeks rough trading zone in Mumbai.
Gov’t.-owned bank tags Winsome “willful defaulter.”
Zimbabwe running out of diamonds.
Theft of 76 ct. diamond in Namibia was an inside job.
Upstate New York jeweler admits to bilking 200 customers.
Former jeweler pleads guilty to money laundering.
Graff sues Antwerp company over stolen diamond.
Celida Hidalgo dies.
Terry Bradshaw to keynote 2015 AGS Conclave.
Kayne West gets daughter new diamond.
Cameron Diaz shows off engagement ring.
Agatha Christie jewels fetch five times estimates.
– Interview with their discoverer.
Pink diamond sets record in Hong Kong.
More people getting engaged at marathon finish lines.
Can engagement ring size predict divorce rates?
German hotel hides diamond in champagne flute.
The diamond-covered perfume bottle.
One goes up: Jeweler flies diamond over London.
One doesn’t come down: Diamond shot into space may be lost forever.
Media Watch:
– The New York Post on colored diamonds.
– Quartz says diamonds not sound investment, based on 30-year-old article.
– Adweek article on Forevermark also sadly out of date. (Time, too)
– Hollywood Reporter profile on Kanye West’s jeweler, Ben Baller.
– Forbes India profiles Nirav Modi of Firestar.
– The Council on Foreign Relations blog on De Beers’ move to Bostwana.
– CNBCAfrica on diamonds and Botswana.
– The New York Times on multiple luxury watch buyers.
– BBC “God Only Knows” video has diamonds floating around Stevie Wonder.
From the blog
Some Wishes for the Diamond Industry
Where De Beers Really Makes Its Money
No, De Beers Isn’t Opening a Trade Lab (For Now)
Have a great weekend!
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