1. RoyalsThe furor over Kate Middleton’s wedding jewels suggests one of two things about Americans: Either we’re bigger fans of the British monarchy than the Brits themselves, or we like a good knockoff. The diamond acorn–and–oak leaf earrings Middleton wore at her April 29 wedding to Prince ­William—designed by Robinson Pelham, the ­London jeweler who used the Middleton family’s coat of arms as inspiration—appeared on QVC just days later in faux pearls and simulated diamonds. Created by Kenneth Jay Lane, they retail for $39.62. The cable channel sold 7,900 units the night the earrings debuted.(Above) The Duchess of Cambridge was bedecked in diamonds on her big day; (right) QVC’s earrings use simulated stones.2. SalesMother’s Day 2011 showed that things continue to improve for jewelers, even if they still haven’t returned to the level of the good old days. Susan Eis