Hey, everyone. Before I start, I’d like to mention a new feature I hope to add to this blog, called “Meet the Miner.” This would involve talking to people who work in the artisanal sector, digging up materials like diamonds, gemstones, gold, and platinum.

I have already thought up a bunch of questions regarding working conditions, pay, safety, etc. But I’m wondering if any of you had anything you would want to ask an artisanal miner. This feature isn’t meant to be an argument for or against artisanal small-scale mining (ASM). It just aims to ensure the miners’ voices are part of the dialogue. We hope to get honest answers that cover the good, the bad, and the ugly.

If you have anything you wish to ask, or think you can help facilitate this, please write me at rbates – at – jckonline.com.

This week: The price of small diamonds goes up. Should the watch industry embrace lab-grown diamonds? And a look at people who hide engagement rings in food. All below.

 

Jewelry sales rebounded in January, says Mastercard

– Americans “reluctant” to make big purchases, says Fed survey

– Luxury demand remains strong amid consumer weakness

– Luxury watch sales make up for falling volumes in mid-market

 

De Beers examining “all options” for Forevermark

– Charles Stanley’s farewell letter, with lab-grown warning

 

De Beers lifts prices of smallest rough diamonds

 

De Beers’ new CEO says hello

 

Bloomberg: Is Botswana Playing Chicken With De Beers?

– Botswana press: 54-year relationship faces “acid test” (subscription)

 

Why Africa “bleeds” diamond revenues

 

“Progress” in European Union sanctions on diamonds

– G7, EU looking for way to track diamonds

 

Diavik Diamond Mine’s life extended until 2026

 

Zimbabwe and India seek fresh diamond deal

 

India setting up center for lab-grown diamonds

– Surat diamond industry switches image from natural to “mixed”

 

Will watch industry say “I do” to lab-growns?

 

IIA Technologies wins lab-grown patent dispute against De Beers subsidiary

 

Apple Watch loses fight in patent battle

– Why the Apple Watch patent fight matters

 

Cartier, Tiffany end trade secrets dispute

 

Breitling opens six new boutiques

 

Pandora takes advantage of property downturn as it opens new stores

– Catching up with Pandora’s creative directors

 

Fink’s jewelers to open two new flagships

 

Luxury brands aim to take on Cartier love bracelet

 

Malls seek to bring shopping centers closer to home

 

Why Jewelers Mutual Group bought Luxsurance’s digital vault app

 

Are eBay and Etsy also taking 50% fees?

 

Jewelry Designer Showcase sued over Ponzi allegations  (subscription)

 

Nirav Modi gems go on sale for $1.5 billion

 

Secret surveillance camera found outside jeweler’s home

 

Christina Miller Living Room session on recycled gold (video)

 

Swarovski names new chief financial officer

 

Shortage of trained watchmakers “threatening industry”

 

How Sarah Martin Rowe went from opera to jewelry

 

Nancy Ajram is Tiffany & Co.’s first Arab brand ambassador

 

C.D. Peacock named jewelry partner of the Chicago Cubs

 

A look at Jimmy Carter’s cufflinks

 

Susan Lucci chats about her love of jewelry with JCK

 

Kendra Scott discusses celebrities’ favorite jewelry

 

Disgraced art dealer’s family returns rare royal jewels to Cambodia

 

Bride-to-be reveals she was behind botched beach proposal

 

When did people start hiding engagement rings in food?

 

Media Watch

Lab-grown diamond articles in Deccan Herald and South China Morning Post

The New York Times on tennis bracelets and “erotic” watches

The New Yorker visits the Tucson gem show

 

From the Podcast   

The Jewelry District, Episode 89: Guest Malyia McNaughton

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.

– Twitter: @robbatesjck

– Connect on LinkedIn

 

 (Photo: Getty Images)  

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