A promotional note to start: I will be moderating two panels at JCK Las Vegas next week.
The first is a natural diamond update, which will be held Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. at the Showcase Stage, level 2 of the Venetian Expo. It will feature Tiffany Stevens of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Kristina Buckley Kayel of the Natural Diamond Council, and Ferel Zerouki of De Beers, and will cover Russian diamonds, attracting young consumers, and sustainability. Plus: questions from you!
The second panel covers “Lab-Grown Diamond Updates” and will be held Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m., also at the Showcase Stage. Panelists Edahn Golan of Tenoris, Ari Levy of IGI North America, and Joanna Park-Tonks of the International Grown Diamond Association will discuss pricing, detection and disclosure, and sustainability. And answer questions from you!
Hope to see you there. I’ll be happy to sign books. I have even updated my website.
This week: Why some people are hiding their Tiffany bags. How lab-grown diamonds are like freshwater pearls. And a woman discovers her engagement ring contains part of her tooth. All below.
The “luxury party in the U.S. is over”
– Big luxury stocks take a dive
– LVMH chief Arnault loses $11 billion after stock plunge
– Industry confident despite headwinds
– Bulgari CEO says he’s selling “less but better” (subscription)
– Cartier goes all in on high jewelry (subscription)
Tiffany’s flagship now topped by a “jewelry box”
– Inside LVMH’s rift with former Tiffany creative director (subscription)
New trend: “stealth wealth”
– Tiffany customers hiding blue bags due to crime
How long will gold prices stay high?
U.S. imposes sanctions on Russian gold miners
– United Arab Emirates cashes in as Russian sanctions bite
G7 still discussing Russian diamond sanctions
– Indian industry still worried about them
– Antwerp still against them
– Russian colored stones still being sold (subscription)
– John Jaffay: So what’s the deal here?
Michael Schechter: What freshwater pearls can teach us about lab-grown
Lightbox opens first concept shop
Diamond industry trends and predictions
De Beers CEO optimistic about Botswana deal
– Wants to partner with Botswana in jewelry retail market (subscription)
– Botswana president not backing down, threatening litigation
– HB Antwerp hopes Botswana deal will usher in “more transparency”
– Richard Chetwode: Has Botswana gone rogue?
– Victoria Gomelsky’s report from Botswana
Namibian newspaper calls for more domestic cutting
– Angola wants beneficiation, too
– Marange still not seeing much benefit from its diamonds
De Beers CEO hails $2 billion investment in South Africa
– Speaks at opening of South African industrial zone (video)
– South African mining minister: De Beers left “too many holes”
How De Beers is rehabbing the Victor mine in Canada
De Beers sees “progress” in sustainability goals
Indian workers sent on unpaid “vacation”
How artificial intelligence will affect diamond grading
How jewelers can make the most of ChatGPT
QRate sells Zulilly to investment firm
Singapore bespoke jeweler Madly raises venture funds
Swarovski CEO on luxury business in China
Genderless jewelry new “high jewelry frontier”
Jewelers Vigilance Committee details “Made in the USA” rules
Daniel’s Jewelers makes jewelry “accessible”
Gen Z loves Rolex, Patek Philippe
Interview with Ben Bridge CEO Lisa Bridge
Hearts on Fire named Rita Maltez global president
– Hearts on Fire beefs up sales team
Audemars Piguet appoints new CEO
LVMH appoints new chief omnichannel and data officer
Bruce Rubin named senior VP of Frederick Goldman
Hunter Tivol McGarth takes over family store
Jocelyn Zimmer becomes president of Zimmer Brothers
Stanley Zale joins Hill & Co.
Signet appoints new senior VP, investor relations
Hoover & Strong adds members to its sales team
Veer names Pat Henneberry as head of business development
Terry Castro’s son on maintaining his father’s legacy
Palm Springs luxury jewelry executive murder case heads to trial
Man sentenced for running jewelry-related Ponzi scheme
The ugly fight over massive Brinks jewelry robbery
Miners use war weapons to hunt rare jewels in Afghanistan (video)
Proliferating gold mines in Venezuela show “grueling, dangerous work”
– How Venezuelan gold is trafficked through Brazil
Signet’s conflict minerals report
World Diamond Council president hails Kimberley Process “diversity”
– KP Civil Society Coalition sees “little reason for celebration”
Despite Nazi shadow, Christie’s sale sets $202 million record
– Yad Vashem rejects Christie’s donation
Sotheby’s to auction Mellon family jewels
Last emperor of China’s watch sells for $6.2 million
New Koh-i-Noor exhibit calls it “symbol of conquest”
– What the crown jewels reveal about Britain’s colonial past
Interview with biographer of Harry Oppenheimer
How Houston jeweler Johnny Dang became “king of bling”
Rihanna rocks a massive diamond on her toe
Woman finds ring she bought for nothing isn’t worth that much
“Horrifying moment” as bride realizes giant diamond is missing from ring
Bride learns engagement ring contains a part of her tooth
Media Watch
The New York Times on the use of black in jewelry, the Mikimoto pearl farm, lab-grown diamond “mourning jewelry,” seashells sold with gems, Maria Callas’ jewels, jewelry brands adapting to the digital age, and jewelry inspired by bugs
From the Podcast
The Jewelry District, Episode 96: Tiffany’s New Flagship, AGS Conclave and AI, JCK Las Vegas Preview
Have a great weekend!
– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.
– Twitter: @robbatesjck
– Connect on LinkedIn
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