Hi, everyone. I’ll be giving a talk about the industry’s challenges in 2026 at the Continental Buying Group show, in Aventura, Fla., on Tuesday, Jan. 20, right after breakfast. If any of you reading this will be there, please say hello.
This week: Amazon plans Walmart-size superstore. TraxNYC brawl becomes a viral hit. And should you mourn a lost mall? All below.
Jewelry sales in 2025 were up in price, down in units
U.S. retail sales see December spike
Saks Global files for Chapter 11
– Store fleet will likely shrink
– Former Neiman CEO getting hefty bonus to head Saks
– Amazon says its Saks Global investment is “worthless”
– Saks problems a sign that department stores have “slipped into obsolescence”
– Or is this an opportunity for Macy’s?
– Reporter finds Saks flagship nearly empty
– Why bankruptcy may not be the end
– Inside looks at Saks’ tumultuous year, from The Wall Street Journal and Business Insider
J.C. Penney’s sales slide again
Jewelry demand surges at Richemont
Pandora lowers 2025 guidance due to disappointing holiday sales
– Hong Kong Pandora fans melt down jewelry
– Former CEO Lacik discusses company’s transformation (audio)
Gold passes $4,600, silver crosses $90
– Indian jewelers say soaring gold price hurts profits
– Gold’s “relentless bull market” (video)
– Billionaire Howard Marks isn’t a gold fan
Rolex’s 2025 certified pre-owned sales approached $600 million
Lab-grown diamonds are destroying economies. Is that okay?
– “Sustainability fatigue is real”
– Surat diamond recession fuels crime wave
– Layoffs hit Antwerp, too
– Botswana opening diamond industry to Russian investors
– Will Taylor Swift’s ring revitalize natural business?
– What editor learned about diamonds from Namibia trip
U.K. jewelry chain CW Sellors is “fighting for its future”
Jeweler says he was stiffed by ShopHQ
Jewelers Mutual Group acquires EventGuard
New York Times talks to “stunt-loving” TraxNYC owner about his viral brawl
Interview with Breitling CEO Georges Kern (video)
Profile of Ring Concierge founder Nicole Wegman
Signet appoints new chief digital, tech officer
Report: TAG Heuer CEO leaves over “strategic differences”
– Constant exec change “doesn’t look pretty”
Mellerio managing director Christophe Mélard exits
Former AGS lab director Pete Yantzer dies
– National Jeweler gathers reminiscences
Legendary diamantaire Louis Glick dies
Report: Former De Beers director Tim Capon dies
Australian “jeweler to the stars” Jan Logan dies
India weighs seeking “fugitive economic offender” status for Jatin Mehta and family
Rapper “Taliban Glizzy” sentenced for role in jewelry store robberies
Turkey raids seven companies in gold-smuggling probe
The Economist on the controversy over authenticity of an auctioned watch (subscription)
Good story that I am for some reason unable to share.
Supreme Court punts on tariff ruling
– Trump administration says it could give refunds
Amazon building Walmart-size superstore
Petra finds 41.82 ct. blue diamond
– “Massive” stone “could rewrite the record books”
Indian lab-grown brand partnering with Warner Bros.
Jewelry at the Golden Globes
– Marion Fasel has thoughts
“Divorce ring” market is booming
Malaysian sanitation worker returns 360 kg of gold jewelry
Dude mourns his (and my) hometown mall
From the Blog
Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Destroying Economies. Is That Okay?
From the Podcast
The Jewelry District: 2026 Predictions
Email: rbates –at – jckonline.com
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– I’ve written four diamond industry mystery novels—check them out here!
(Photo: Getty Images)
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