At the beginning of July, I casually asked our editorial assistant Stephanie Schaefer if she knew where the gold medals awarded at the Olympics came from.
Not too long after that, she had the answer and the most popular news story on JCKonline for the month. I’ve been plotting her next wild goose chase ever since.
What are some other jewelry-related stories you’d like to see us track down? Send us your ideas in the comment section or email me at dford@jckonline.com.
Here are the top 10 most popular jewelry news stories from July 2012:
Where Do Olympic Gold Medals Come From?
“Now I don’t feel so bad that I never qualified for the Olympics,” says loyal commenter Anne Timmons-Harris after reading gold medals are made from just 1.34 percent gold.
J.C. Penney Plans to Eliminate Cash Registers by 2013
“I’m not interested in going into a store if I am at risk of having my credit cards compromised by an opportunist,” says commenter Jackie Tharp. “I’d rather sit in the comfort of my own home and shop on the internet without the threat of RFID thieves.”
Retailers Can Now Charge Extra for Credit Card Purchases
Retailers in most states will now be able to add checkout fees to customers’ credit card purchases, because of a settlement of a class action suit between credit card companies and a class representing 7 million retailers.
Feds Shut Down 70 Websites Selling Counterfeits
“Why hasn’t the list of websites been published to protect the consumers?” asks commenter Arthur Klein. “The list should also be available to retailers to use when customers come in the store & say the saw a certain product at a much-reduced price.”
Undisclosed Synthetic Diamonds Found in Hong Kong
“It is inevitable that these lab grown stones will be filtered out into the market place as naturals,” says commenter John. “As long as only a major laboratory can afford the machine to detect them we will not be able to tell the difference.”
Buckingham Palace Exhibiting 10,000 Royal Diamonds
More than 10,000 diamonds—including seven stones cut from the world-famous Cullinan—were on display at Buckingham Palace in London from June 30 to July 8.
Company Sued Over Tiffany-Branded Snacks
“I think they should sue every girl in the country named Tiffany!” says commenter Sales.
Internet Sales Tax Law May Pass Soon
Insert obligatory brick-and-mortar store owner rant here. What do e-tailers think about this pending legislation?
Louis Vuitton, Versace Opening Jewelry Stores
Two major fashion names—Louis Vuitton and Versace—plan to open several jewelry-only stores.
Sterling Jewelers Announces Staffing Changes
“The reason that Sterling is light years ahead of their competition is because of the long tenure of their headquarters staff,” says commenter Stoneman.
The top 10 tweets of July 2012:
Bit of a dreary day outside but our store is full of sparkle and light! Oh, the perks of working in
#jewelry….— GreenwichJewelers (@GreenwichJwlrs) July 28, 2012
Real natural gemstones can be Affordable; there is no reason to break your piggy bank…unless you want to LOL.
— Diane Warga-Arias (@JewelryActivist) July 28, 2012
Answer: A piece of fudge, a toilet, a carrot. What are unusual
#diamond hiding places, Alex? ow.ly/cuKT5@robbatesjck@jckmagazine— Brittany Siminitz (@JCKmarketplace) July 25, 2012
Where in the world is intrepid
@jckmagazine editor-in-chief@vika22? You’ll never guess… bit.ly/NI39Ot— Melissa Bernardo (@mrbplus) July 24, 2012
Just bought tons of supplies for silversmithing!Torch too. Cheers to new jewelry mediums and maybe burning the house down!
#silversmithing— Jewelry by Jill (@JillJewelry) July 20, 2012
CHECK IT! Our First “Meet the Makers” video, featuring Natalie Frigo is live. Learn how she makes her gorge ecojewelry. ow.ly/cnFbd
— Ecochickie (@Ecochickie) July 20, 2012
Appraising jewelry all day and eating a happy meal.
#hustle— Gem Gossip (@gemgossip) July 18, 2012
We’re celebrating
#throwbackthursday ! All designs from the 80’s !#jewelry#design#vintage#diamond#women instagr.am/p/M_MYetuaZe/— Gumuchian(@Gumuchian) July 12, 2012
#Gold is hard to find, but a nugget was found in#Australia that weighed over 200 pounds!— Palisade Jewelers (@palisadejeweler) July 10, 2012
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineI love the sound of snapping ear clips closed. It’s like a fancy version of popping bubble wrap.
— Libby Dale (@misslibbydale) July 10, 2012
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