This week in Diamond Shavings: What a COVID vaccine might mean for retail. “Rolex flippers” driving prices up. And should you hide an engagement ring in a Big Mac? All below.

 

Southwest retailers grapple with new COVID-19 closures and restrictions.

– What a COVID vaccine might mean for retail.

 

J.C. Penney has new owners: Its landlords.

– Why department stores are ditching malls.

 

Pandora says revamped communication strategy helped stock.

 

Alex and Ani founder Rafaelian owes $5 million, court rules.

 

Amazon claims influencer promoted counterfeits.

 

Jewelry sales stand out at Richemont.

 

Rolex flippers drive Submariner prices to 80% over retail.

 

AGTA says Tucson show is on—for now.

 

Inhorgenta Munich moves dates to run back-to-back with Geneva watch fairs.

 

New York sues Sotheby’s over sales tax for artwork.

 

Six rules for jewelers to make sales online.

 

Pink mega-diamond, Spirit of the Rose, sells for $26.6 million.

 

De Beers pausing operations at Botswana mine.

 

Namdia buys out Lazare Kaplan cutting factory.

 

Lucara unearths 998 ct. diamond.

 

Petra faces allegation of human rights violations.

 

Can mines meet the industry’s toughest standard? Probably not.

 

How COVID-19 has affected the artisanal mining sector.

 

Swiss refiner breaks silence on sourcing gold from risky areas.

 

War refugees cut diamonds in Armenia.

 

Michigan jeweler John Ahee dies.

 

South Carolina jeweler Ivo Colucci dies.

 

Jonathan Kendall to retire from De Beers.

 

In praise of Kamala Harris and her pearls.

 

Eighteen times the royal family used jewelry to send a subtle message.

 

Does grieving fiancée have to relinquish engagement ring?

 

Man mocked after hiding engagement ring in McDonald’s burger.

 

Metal detectorist finds gold rings in the river.

 

Media Watch

Esquire UK on lab-grown diamonds.

 

From the Blog

Can Mines Meet the Industry’s Toughest Standard? (Probably Not)

 

From the Magazine

Jewelers, How Good Is Your Gold?

From the Podcast

The Jewelry District, Episode 31: Blue Nile x Lightbox, the Argyle Mine, and NYC Jewelry Week

 

 

Have a safe and healthy weekend.

 

 

– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.

– Twitter: @robbatesjck

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