Want to give a quick shout-out to Paul Zimnisky, who just launched his own podcast—because that’s the thing now—and had me as a guest on his first episode. We talk about the current woes of the diamond industry and wonder just how successful De Beers’ Lightbox brand has been. Please give it a listen and marvel at my accent. Paul was also our guest on the pilot episode of JCK’s podcast, “The Jewelry District,” where we talk about different stuff—yes, there’s that much to talk about—including the long- and short-term outlook for lab-grown and natural diamonds.

 

This week in Diamond Shavings: Barneys downsizes flagship. Chanel doesn’t want to be an adjective. And a man may have found world’s largest natural pearl. All below.

 

Signet president resigns, company closing 150 stores.

– Earnings call transcript.

– CNBC interviews CEO Drosos.

– Signet shuts Dallas manufacturing facility.

 

Federal Trade Commission warns lab-grown diamond, simulant companies about marketing.

– FTC lawyer gives his thoughts.

– Page Six drags in Leonardo DiCaprio.

– My thoughts: The FTC gets tough.

– FTC press release, blog, sample letter.

 

GIA changes lab-grown reports (a little).

– Indian industry not too happy.

 

De Beers ends diamond buyback service.

– Rolls out “Diamonds from DTC” origin program.

– Says don’t blame Lightbox for drop in diamond prices.

 

Are Canadian mines running out of diamonds?

– De Beers wants to build “mine of the future” in Canada.

 

Two blue diamonds fail to sell at Sotheby’s.

 

Baselworld attendance down 22 percent.

 

Online sales surpassed brick-and-mortar’s in February.

 

Eurostar enters bankruptcy.

 

Connecticut jeweler David Harvey files for bankruptcy.

 

Roberto Cavalli has closed its U.S. stores.

 

Barney’s is downsizing Madison Avenue store.

 

Pandora chief operating officer steps down.

– Company admits it may have broken Australian consumer law.

 

The Palm Beach Show Group names Jaime Kantor chief operating officer.

 

Brilliant Earth has 17 open jobs, says Glassdoor.

 

Tiffany debuts campaign for new engagement ring.

– Tiffany Washington, D.C., features presidential jewelry.

 

Cartier teases new video with Kaya Scodelario.

Chanel doesn’t like the term Chanel-esque.

 

U.K. jewelry firms fail to correct the gender pay gap.

 

Central African Republic invites in De Beers and Alrosa.

 

Countries get tougher on mining companies.

 

Nirav Modi’s wife wanted to get her statues back.

– Modi’s luxury cars to be auctioned.

 

Tesla-loving jeweler Ben Baller gets stuck in one.

 

The story of Alex and Ani CEO’s partnership with rapper.

 

The Jerusalem Post on the relationship between diamonds and the Jewish people.

 

De Beers exec honored for responsible practices.

 

Reviewers pick the best jewelry organizers on Amazon.

– Also, there are many fans of this ring adjuster.

 

Man buys 88 ct. D flawless, names it after daughter.

 

Man’s been hiding the world’s largest natural pearl.

 

Was the ring on Married at First Sight fake?

 

Media Watch

Entrepreneur interviews founder of Worthy.

 

From the Blog  

The FTC Gets Tough on Lab-Grown Diamond Disclosure

 

JCK Podcasts

First episode. Guest: Ben Janowski

Pilot episode. Guest: Paul Zimnisky

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.

– Twitter: @robbatesjck

– Connect on LinkedIn

 

(Image: Getty Images)

Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine