This week in Diamond Shavings: Jewelers are getting into the hotel business. Why Amazon pays no taxes. And rating movie engagement rings. All below.

 

Samuels Jewelers to close all its stores.

 

Pandora appoints new CEO.

– Investors like makeover plan.

 

Retail sales suffer worst plunge in nine years.

– Economists call numbers “suspect.”

 

Engagement ring spending “flatlined” in 2018.

– New York Times: Americans pay about two weeks’ salary for an engagement ring.

 

Diamond Producers Association to launch female self-purchase campaign.

 

The lab-grown diamond industry is still out-hustling the natural.

– This all-lab-grown diamond ring beat Jony Ive’s to the punch.

– Helzberg launches new lab-grown line.

– Scio looked for deal with diamond companies.

 

Michelle Graff ponders the future.

– So does Albert Robinson.

 

“Fun and flirty” jewelry marketing campaigns for Valentine’s Day.

 

Jewelers become hotel designers.

 

Japanese jewelry retailer weighs IPO.

 

National Jeweler profiles Sparkle Cut.

– Business Insider gets a backstage tour of Ring Concierge.

 

Five best jewelry looks from the Grammy Awards.

– Adventurine: A lot of “jewelry surprises.”

 

Diamonds become a “menswear” trend.

 

“Smalls” hurting the diamond mining business.

– Why the Cullinan mine is banking on big stones.

.
Gübelin tests nano-tracking of diamonds.

– Knowledge@Wharton podcast and article on ethical diamonds.

 

NGO: There are responsible sourcing solutions for jewelers. 

 

Vogue takes a look at ethical consumerism.

 

H. Samuel fined for misleading reference pricing.

 

ATF, FBI raid the home and store of San Diego jeweler.

 

Head of L.A. jewelry district company pleads guilty to money laundering.

 

Judge tosses jewelry retailer’s lawsuit against Wells Fargo.

 

Israel diamond thieves tied to Colombian gang.

 

India plans heavy security for jewelry exhibition.

 

Illicit gold mine collapses in Liberia.

 

BlackRock sells holdings in Pebble Mine.

 

California’s oldest jewelry store is closing.

 

Why retailers shouldn’t hunt the “promiscuous shopper.”

 

Former J.C. Penney CEO isn’t sure if company will be around in five years.

 

Why Shopify might be bigger than eBay.

 

Amazon makes $11.2 billion in profit and pays zero taxes.

 

Macy’s names chief merchandising officer.

 

Baselworld parent gets new CEO.

 

Damas Jewellery appoints first female CEO.

 

Jean Farmer of Farmer’s Jewelry dies.

 

Francesca Amfitheatrof makes “splash” with new collection, Thief and Heist.

 

Interview with New York Fashion Week security guard.

 

Comedian Russell Peters thwarts jewelry store theft.

 

Lars Von Trier turns one of his movies into diamonds.

 

Neil Lane appraises best romantic-comedy film engagement rings.

 

Drake commissions $400,000 diamond-covered iPhone case.

 

Gucci Mane’s 35 ct. pinky ring worth over $1 million.

 

How to get a third wife to bequeath a diamond ring to a stepdaughter.

– What to do with jewelry post-divorce.

– Blogger buys her own engagement ring after her divorce.

 

Alrosa uncovers heart-shape piece of rough.

– Miner showcases largest pink in its history.

 

Medieval woman had lapis lazuli hidden in her teeth.

 

Media Watch

Buffalo News’ Discount Diva says skip the diamond.

Allure runs anti-diamond and -flowers article.

Local Pennsylvania TV station on whether diamonds are “losing their sparkle.”

Arabian Business on lab-growns.

Insider writer excited she chose her own engagement ring.

 

From the Blog  

The Lab-Grown Diamond Industry Is Still Out-Hustling the Natural

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.

– Twitter: @robbatesjck

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