This week: What it’s like to be a first-time Rolex buyer. A jeweler moves a 3,000-pound safe. And Shaquille O’Neal pays for a guy’s engagement ring. All below.

Signet acquires Rocksbox, jewelry subscription service.

– Part of its plan to improve its service business.

– My thoughts.

 

New U.S. sanctions effectively ban Burmese gems.

 

Celebrated designer Alex Woo dies.

– Industry’s “kindest voice.”

 

Interview with Kendra Scott CEO Tom Nolan.

 

A talk with Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman.

 

Jacob & Co. names Benjamin Arabov as its new CEO.

 

Joseph Corey promoted to president of Day’s Jewelers.

 

Ben Bridge vice president of merchandising retires.

 

Xcel Brands buys LOGO By Lori Goldstein.

 

Why QVC is still ahead of Amazon.

 

How LVMH grew Fred during a pandemic.

 

UBS predicts more than 80,000 stores will close in next five years.

 

Neiman Marcus refinances $1 billion debt.

 

Amazon admits its workers sometime urinate in bottles.

– Amazon defeats Alabama unionization effort.

– The comapny illegally fired activist workers, labor board finds.

 

U.K. survey shows challenges for Black jewelers.

 

Lucara, HB Group extend unusual diamond deal.

 

Watch brands still not sold on lab-grown diamonds.

– Jing Daily examines their pros and cons.

 

Peculiar coloring helps GIA spot diamond treatment.

 

Anglo American says De Beers diamond sales fell.

 

Canada First Nation group opposes De Beers waste dump on traditional territory.

 

Rochester, N.Y., man pleads guilty to diverting funds to diamond scheme.

 

Texas jeweler’s son sentenced in murder-for-hire plot.

 

Italian authorities seek trial in diamond fraud probe.

 

Prosecutors crack down on watches offered for cash.

 

Watches International relaunches.

 

Seiko Watch appoints new president.

 

Ann Arnold reelected chair of JBT.

 

Virginia jeweler closes after owner dies from COVID-19.

 

Q&A with Yair Levy, developer of Miami’s Time Century Jewelry Center.

 

Montblanc opens “experiential flagship” in New York.

 

Saudi jeweler L’azurde gets regulator nod for rights issue.

 

Wisconsin jeweler relocates 3,000-pound safe.

 

SAG Awards 2021: Our 10 favorite jewelry looks.

 

MJSA offering educational scholarships.

 

JA announces CASE Awards winners.

 

How royals from Queen Elizabeth I to Prince Charles kept secrets in jewels.

 

Shaquille O’Neal pays for stranger’s engagement ring at Georgia jewelry store.

 

Media Watch

Stanford historian traces the colonial origins of conflict diamonds in Namibia.

Hodinkee writer shops for Rolex for first time, digs it.

 

From the Blog

Signet’s Purchase of Rocksbox Is Both Strange and Logical

Interview With Kendra Scott CEO Tom Nolan

 

From the Podcast

The Jewelry District, Episode 41: Guest Madeline Fraser

 

Have a safe and healthy weekend.

 

 

– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.

– Twitter: @robbatesjck

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