it took 100 years to collect the perfect 100 carats.

The Prince of Belair Ernest Grunwald has seen the rise and fall of pin-lever watches, personally rivaled the Swiss when it came to assembling movements, and remembers the days when “everyone thought the world would end with the introduction of quartz,” the founder of Belair Time Corp. told JCK during a recent visit to his…

When Laurence Bruyninckx entered a jewelry design contest organized by the Flanders Fashion Institute within the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium, she had a fashion design degree and nothing to lose. Winning garnered her an entrée into fine jewelry, complete with a contract with IGC Brand Services for her own eponymous collection,…

Back to the Front As pearl brands continue to spread their fashion-forward message, Yoko London makes good on those claims in its Duet earrings, featuring two lustrous pearls that seesaw on long gold posts. The front-to-back look is undoubtedly growing in popularity; in February, New York City vendor United Gemco told JCK that its diamond-studded…

Source Material In 1997, Richard W. Hughes, American gemologist and gem trade personality, published Ruby & Sapphire, a widely read technical account of corundum intended for his fellow science geeks. Nearly 20 years later, Hughes has published another book on his two favorite gems, but it differs from his 1997 treatise in a significant way.…

Oh, Henry! After a tumultuous several years including bankruptcy in 2009 and losing the right in 2010 to use his own business name to Sandawana Holdings Ltd. (the buyer of his intellectual property), Henry Dunay, “the father of the American school of ­jewelry design,” is back in the design seat at his own HDD Inc.…

the cuff, part of a larger collection of equine pieces, is also a nod to a clutch of zorab clients who ride.

Baselworld has always been a magnet for the world’s leading luxury players, and this year was no different. The Swiss watch and jewelry fair, held March 27 to April 3 at the redesigned Basel Exhibition Center, saw plenty of activity at the high end. For one thing, retailers are reportedly in the market for more…

In addition to spotlighting Peruvian fashion designers, the PeruModa fair, held April 9–11 in Lima, focused on the country’s budding silver jewelers: (Above)1. Foldable fabricated necklace in silver; $780; Gonzalo Palma, Lima; 511-999-195-076; gonzalopalma.com   2. Earrings in silver; $105; Taller Pez de Plata, Cusco, Peru; 51-084-231-539; tallerpezdeplata.com 3. Bracelet in silver; $320; Ursula Scheuch,…

Swiss Watch at JCK Las Vegas is an excellent facsimile of Baselworld From May 30 to June 2, 40 watch brands will take part in the 12th annual Swiss Watch at JCK Las Vegas, less a show than a coordinated series of opportunities to see the latest timepieces from Switzerland in well-stocked suites located throughout…

people in the jewelry trade understand the difference between a diamond simulant and a synthetic diamond. but many consumers do not—and that’s a growing problem.

Kathleen Hall, founder and CEO of The Stress Institute in Atlanta, offers five reasons we should de-stress: 1. We laugh more. “When people laugh their artery diameter increases, and when they are stressed it decreases,” says Hall. “Our vital organs need that precious oxygen.” 2. We’re more active. Studies show that many people get as…

Vacations are good for you—and your business Almost 100 years ago, Henry Ford reduced the hours his Ford Motor Co. employees worked, cutting the work week from six days to five, thereby bringing each week’s total hours down from 48 hours to 40. Ford realized the productivity of his employees diminished after six eight-hour days,…

Protecting your company from a gender discrimination lawsuit requires a commitment to creating clear staff policies, paying close attention to how your employees interact, and documenting just about everything When news of gender ­discrimination and sexual harassment allegations filed against Sterling Jewelers hit the mainstream media in March, Carinthia Kishaba wasn’t surprised. She says she…

hackers are conspiring to access your customers’ credit card data right now. here’s how you can thwart them.

adonica shaw, social media strategist at image in motion pr in los angeles, shares her picks.

Social media is more than just a sales and marketing tool. It also works wonders to build bonds among staff members. Why do customers return to a jewelry store? Typically it’s because of their experience, and that all comes down to the people who have served them. A number of stores are deliberately trying to…

Think of social media as a virtual cocktail party. You wouldn’t try to make a sale over canapés. Here are some “small talk” suggestions for social networking. 1. Play off pop culture. An event like the Oscars is a great springboard, says Rod Worley of Four Grainer LLC. Talk about the stars’ jewelry and which…

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. When it comes to social media, that old adage is more relevant than ever. Follow JCK’s primer to determine your return on investment. Now that even your mother has a Facebook account, it’s a good bet your business does as well. But have you ever asked yourself if…

From apps that allow you to monetize your Instagram account to partnering with bloggers to boost your reputation among the fashion set, retailing in 2014 has taken a decidedly next-generation turn In modern retailing, it’s never business as usual. Today’s merchants are selling in an ever-evolving environment. One where technology moves faster than a ­caffeinated…

If you’re planning to stock smart jewelry, consider these key issues of form and function: 1. Will the piece compete with a watch? If you’re considering a bold bracelet, ask yourself if customers will give up their watches, or wear both together. 2. Will it be too heavy? A piece that looks great in the…

The smart jewelry revolution is coming. But can device manufacturers transform geek to chic? Remember when nobody thought a phone could be a fashion statement? Sure, having a BlackBerry showed your boss you were always available, or a Bluetooth headset meant you’d be ready for a crucial call. But no one would mistake these devices…

four of new york’s most chic fashion designers give us a glimpse into their personal jewelry boxes and share the stories behind their prized possessions.

After buying up a storm during market week in the desert, you’re home and staring down the barrel of a long, hot summer. Now what? Five jewelers outline their top projects for the season. Look at that. It’s June already. Maybe you’re at the JCK show in Las Vegas, on your way home, or already…

Go for the global at JCK Las Vegas, visiting the best international manufacturers and jewelers without leaving Mandalay Bay. No passport required. We all know that Las Vegas is home to facsimiles of the world’s most touristed destinations: You can visit Paris, Venice, and even Treasure Island in a single day. But if you want…

Giving new meaning to “crown jewels” If you’ve ever wondered how a designer develops a signature style, consider the origins of Ray Griffiths’ trademark crownwork motif—which are actually quite technical. “While in Australia, I trained as a ­restoration specialist in a classical jewelry workshop,” says the Australian-born New York City transplant. “Crownwork is a product…

Behind Dana Rebecca, the big jewelry business with a small-business philosophy Sitting in her white and pink jewel box of a showroom, high above Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Dana Rebecca Designs founder Dana Gordon recounts a what-are-the-odds story. As a child, Gordon was fascinated by her grandmother’s three gold stacking rings, each set with rubies, emeralds,…

Elle Pushing:• Coated metal cocktail ring; color-blocked resin bangle (“Good Sport: Sporty basics elevated with menswear-style tailoring and graphic extras”)• Black, white, and brown diamond cuff; black enamel earrings (“Bold jewelry with jet accents”) Advertisers:Tiffany & Co., Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Movado, Van Cleef & Arpels, Ippolita, Longines, Raymond Weil, Hearts On Fire, Bulgari, Swarovski, Tacori InStyle…

Video made an Internet star of jewelry retailer Katya Ananieva Katya Ananieva, co-owner of She’s Unique, a ­jewelry store in the quaint Old Town section of Alexandria, Va., experienced the power of viral videos long before she contemplated running a retail store. Through her 4-year-old lifestyle blog, SpicyCandyDC.com, Ananieva connected regularly with her readers through…

6027 Highway 100, Nashville, Tenn. Those passing through West Nashville might never stumble upon Maria Fouce’s brilliantly designed storefront Anatra Jewel by chance—unless, of course, they’re venturing to the city’s farthest reaches for a meal at the famed Loveless Cafe. But located seven miles west of downtown off Highway 100 among a cluster of high-end…

under ian harebottle, gemfields has helped breathe new life into the emerald trade. now he’s set his sights on the entire colored stone world.

a father-son duo takes ohio’s marlen jewelers into its centennial—and beyond.

These handy tools will make marketing your business easier As a small-business owner, you should avail yourself of technology developments that make your life easier—as long as you’re ­prepared to invest a little time in learning how they work. Here are seven online tools we think are especially useful for retailers: 1. Nimble (nimble.com)Nimble aligns…

The right ESP (email service provider) can make all the difference in your marketing Your digital mailing list is a precious thing. But how you use it is as important as the number of email addresses it contains. Enter the email service provider (ESP), the online tool of choice for retailers looking to connect with…

House calls are de rigueur for Idaho retailer Dan Norman 1. What advertisement or promotion elicited the biggest response, and why do you think it worked? One of the best things we have done in the last 15 years is buying beautiful gold-plated Christmas ornaments. We give them to our best customers and say “thank…

Used wisely, scent can be a powerful selling tool. But beware pitfalls in perfuming! We asked Air Esscentials president Spence Levy for his top tips for scenting a jewelry store. 1. Be matchy-matchy. “You don’t want to smell leather in a fish restaurant—your brain is going to say, ‘This is uncomfortable.’?” 2. Don’t cut corners.…

Romancing the customer—with story­telling, stellar service, and great product—is the name of the game in fine jewelry retail. But all that wooing may be for naught if your store’s smell is the olfactory equivalent of an eyesore. Conversely, an inviting, familiar scent diffused into a retail space can nudge shoppers into a spending mood. “If…

From Magic Johnson to the magical San Diego locale, Conclave gave attendees plenty to talk (and tweet) about: 1. K-Jon’s Fine Jewelers (@KJonsFineJewlrs): #agsconclave is not for sissies. 2. Elisa Olufson (@ElisaOlufson): [At the ’80s theme party] They’re playing my ringtone! #agsconclave 3. Kirk Damman (@kirkdmn): It was so tough waking up to this. 4.…

Conclave, the American Gem ­Society’s signature conference, felt charged with a zingy energy this year. The lineup of ­personality-plus speakers was especially strong. But the majestic location—the historic Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, Calif.—also infused excitement into the 76-year-old event, held April 22–26. This year AGS celebrates its 80th anniversary, and CEO Ruth Batson said,…

Welcome to our spectacular JCK June “at-show” issue! Whether you’re ­reading one of the 7,000 copies distributed at JCK Las Vegas, or receiving one of our 25,000 subscriber copies in your office, we hope you find this issue as informative, inspiring, and entertaining as always. Although we run the business of JCK magazine and JCKonline…

A decade ago, I attended a press event at the New York City showroom of JCK Las Vegas exhibitor Gumuchian, where I was asked to place my business card in a bowl for a chance to win a Tahitian pearl and diamond ring valued (at the time) at around $4,000. I’d never so much as…

1. Auctions The Hutton-Mdivani necklace is often called the “greatest jadeite bead necklace in the world”—and it’s easy to see why. It features 27 translucent, color-matched, bright green jadeite beads, ranging in size from 15.4 mm to 19.2 mm. At two prior auctions, the necklace set a record price for jadeite jewelry; on April 6,…