Here’s one to ponder: Should department stores upscale their costume-jewelry offerings? Liberty London certainly thinks so. This week the luxury department store and design house introduced the Fashion Jewellery Gallery, a destination for demi-fine and costume jewelry.
The Gallery combines new and longtime jewelry partners for a total of 37 brands in the space. Eight are new to Liberty, and 11 are exclusives to the retailer. Highlights include Carrie Elizabeth; Copenhagen-based Kinraden; Antwerp jewelry house Wouters & Hendrix, celebrated for its surrealist approach to design; and French jewellery icon Gas Bijoux, whose handcrafted collections have embodied the spirit of the Riviera since 1969.
The Fashion Jewellery Gallery comes at a moment of strong momentum for Liberty’s jewelry category, with sales rising 20% year-on-year, the company said. It is separate, yet just as important as well from its well-known Ground Floor jewelry hall, which focuses on classic fine jewelry.
Here is a look at what else made JCK’s collective brain click this week.
News Worth Reading
Timely or ill timed? The Federal Reserve raised interest rates, the first time since 2023. (subscription needed)
CIBJO Update: Qatar Diamond Exchange extends bourse network into Europe through partnership with Borsa Diamanti d’Italia signed during the Vicenza congress.
AAA said gas prices are inching closer to this year’s record high of $4.56 set on May 21.
The Plumb Club wants a hand in shaping the next set of federal rules for the U.S. jewelry trade, including how lab-grown diamonds may be labeled.
Consumers are resilient despite the challenging economic conditions, ING said.
American consumers are indeed willing to open their wallets right now, all agree.
Watchmaker Ulysse Nardin asks for the public and industry’s help finding its museum’s stolen watches.
These are the fun—and unexpected—colors that will make your fall season.
And if you don’t believe it, look at the Emmy jewelry and fashion: red, white, blue, and purple.
Jewelry is a little treat for Gen Z, retailers including Macy’s and Kohl’s find.
Carat Lane said its U.S. expansion is going so well it is now aiming its growth to the U.K. and Australia.
Pinterest says the “intentional” man is making (jewelry) moves.
It’s pink and it’s fabulous: Serena Williams gets her own AP Royal Oak.
Kering appoints Sophie Maddaloni as its general secretary.
The jewelry at New York Fashion Week has shifted to texture, new materials, and new ideas. (subscription needed)
LVMH as a stock holding isn’t the top of the top dogs anymore, Bloomberg finds. (subscription needed)
What can three 100-year-old companies teach you about training? A lot.
Alex Moss calls out jewelers for marking up lab-grown diamond jewelry.
Did the diamond industry teach consumers to hate it? Uncut has opinions—and there is some truth there.
The World Gold Council has unveiled First Diwali, the latest film in its The Moment is Gold campaign, highlighting gold’s role in milestones and family traditions.
Is the era of the lab-grown (or synthetic) diamond upon us, and should India play the largest role? One man says yes.
You knew it was coming: Diesel gasoline prices and conflict in the Middle East are going to make clothing (and, likely, accessory) prices rise. Consumers will feel it. (subscription needed)
Obsessions
Yes, we likely would pay for a private club to avoid airport lines, security, and waiting for the lounge. (subscription needed)
Who are the artist jewelers who are collectible as well as those who will become such? Vejeweled has ideas.
Good on Dockers for this funny campaign with former University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh (and Go Blue, even if he’s not there now).
Podcast Queue
A Thousand Facets sits with Daphne Krinos, talking about her childhood in Greece, her love for typography, and how she found jewelry.
The Business of Watches sits down with Hublot CEO Julien Tornare on partnering with artist Jeff Koons and other topics.
In the Loop examines jewelry sales so far in 2026, looking at what’s rising, what’s cooling off, and what tactics actually move online revenue.
Video Yaya
Given his expansion into museum and high jewelry, check out the Sabyasachi catwalk during New York Fashion Week.
Avi Krawitz on why the CIBJO decision around the word synthetic (versus laboratory-grown or -created) matters to the jewelry industry.
The GIA gives some detail on how it decoded the new source of paraiba tourmaline in Ethiopia.
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
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