This week: More reports of lab-grown diamonds masquerading as naturals. Brad Pitt’s girlfriend is a jeweler, and he’s psyched about it. And there may be diamonds on Mercury. All below.
Holiday sales rose, but jewelry fell short: SpendingPulse
– Independent jeweler sales “subdued” in second week of December
2023 Review
– My favorite jewelry promotions of the year
– Most memorable jewelry auction moments
– Roll call for 2023’s departing retailers
– Remembering industry members we lost
– 25 of the best jewelry reads
– 40 best jewelry-related quotes
– 10 most popular JCK podcasts
2024 Preview
– The colors, styles, and issues that will rule 2024
– Five diamond industry developments to keep an eye on
– Saks CEO predicts upturn in second half
– JCK podcast’s predictions
Rolex prices rise in U.K. but not in America
– Watchfinder offers Rolex Submariner for just $6,500
– Insider: “The great Rolex recession is here”
– What will Rolex do with its third watch brand?
– Five things you didn’t know about Rolex
Frédéric Arnault to head LVMH watch division
Zulily shuts down, blames Amazon
– Mark Vadon remembers glory days
Edahn Golan breaks down Russian sanctions
– EU sanctions Alrosa and its CEO
– Alrosa’s sales and production fall
– Russian analysts skeptical sanctions will hurt
– Russian diamonds still coming to Switzerland
– The Economist weighs in (subscription)
Bruce Cleaver no longer De Beers co-chair
Diamond trade “cautious” at end of the year
IGI identifies 6 ct. diamond with natural inscription as lab-grown
– Italian lab finding more and more lab-grown fraud
Hong Kong busts $64 million diamond scam
In Cincinnati, Customs seizes $6.9 million in counterfeit high-end jewelry
Jatin Mehta calls fraud allegations “absurd” (subscription)
Questions mount over synthetic diamond certifications (subscription)
Mass-market retailers excited about lab-grown diamonds (subscription)
– Walmart’s all in
GJEPC head says lab-grown, natural diamond can “coexist”
Surat diamond barons buying more private jets
Outgoing Audemars Piguet chief calls Swiss too shy, risk-averse
Celebrated gemstone cutter Tom Munsteiner dies
Developing the world’s first carbon dioxide–neutral sapphire mine
GIA introduces reports specifically for jade
Azerbaijan extends tax breaks for jewelry production machines
Jewelry acts as buffer against economic impact of climate change
Royal Mint turns silver from X-rays into jewelry
Brad Pitt “appreciates” that girlfriend works in jewelry, not the movies
Katy Penny replaces engagement ring with new jewelry
Jeweler in Japan “restores lifetime memories” (video)
Antiques Roadshow guest who hasn’t taken Rolex off in 40 years floored by its value
Ancient jewelry found on Roman skeletons
Scientists solve mystery of how diamonds come to Earth’s surface
There may be diamonds on Mercury!
From the Blog
Roll Call for 2023’s Departing Jewelry Retailers
My Favorite Jewelry Promotions of 2023
40 Best Jewelry-Related Quotes of 2023
From the Podcast
The Jewelry District, Episode 112: Predictions for 2024
Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.
– Twitter: @robbatesjck
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Have a good weekend—and a wonderful new year!
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