Before this week’s roundup, I’d like to again plug JCK’s first-ever podcast, “The Jewelry District,” which debuted this week. In our first episode, senior editor Emili Vesilind and I talk about Oscar fashions, recent bankruptcies, and a very weird story of the week. There’s also a chat with longtime industry watcher Ben Janowski, in which we discuss lab-grown diamonds and swap theories about Lightbox.

Also check out our pilot episode, which features more fashion talk, another bizarre story, an article from the archives, and some comments I made about holiday sales that I now consider to be wrong. There’s also a talk with analyst Paul Zimnisky about the future of the diamond business, both mined and created.

You can subscribe to “The Jewelry District” via iTunes, and all of the episodes are posted on JCKonline.

 

This week in Diamond Shavings: Brexit’s causing a run on watches. There are calls for the FTC to crack down on sponsored influencer posts. And what did Tom Ford say about Melania Trump? All below.

 

The Comeback?

– Baselworld’s looking kind of subdued.

– Fair’s “moment of truth.”

– Ya’akov Almor doesn’t miss it.

– Works to win back jewelry exhibitors.

– Watchmakers fret about Chinese slowdown, European populism.

 

U.K. retailers stockpile watches pre-Brexit.

 

Nirav Modi arrested in London.

– Modi tells court he was in country lawfully.

– He reportedly changed his address a lot.

– Held in an overcrowded jail.

– Authorities look at his U.S. apartment.

 

Tiffany to sell engagement rings online.

 

What Amazon can (and can’t) do with its jewelry brands.

 

Richline: Online sales have risen in the double digits.

 

FT: How online jewelers use SEO to win over fiancés.

 

Tanishq uses augmented reality at airport terminals.

 

Truth in Advertising urges FTC to take action against nondisclosing influencers.

 

Report: Links of London “on brink of collapse.”

 

Shopko to liquidate.

 

J. Levine Auction declares bankruptcy.

 

Scheherazade customers says they’re left in the lurch.

 

Moissanite coated with diamond film spotted by lab.

 

How blockchain can help increase transparency for diamonds and gems.

 

Global Witness urges more be done for diamond supply chains.

 

De Beers extends mine life of Jwaneng.

 

Paul Zimnisky’s “brief history of De Beers.”

 

GIA takes a look at Lightbox.

 

Gem trader responds to article claiming the sapphire trade is hurting lemurs.

 

Survey says silver sales rose in 2018.

 

China is producing high jewelry designers.

 

Road to Northwest Territories diamond mines closes in the heat.

 

Messika debuts first U.S. store.

 

How the Cartier Panthère became a jewelry icon.

 

Chicago restaurant incorporates a jewelry store.

 

Chippenhook names Kirk Aronson VP of business development.

 

Phillips appoints David Lou to advisory board.

 

American Society of Appraisers hires new CEO.

 

AGS dinner honors Zimmer, Capeci, and Tannenbaum.

 

Jeff Unger dies.

 

Zalemark pivoting to agricultural equipment.

 

Guy impersonated Lev Leviev’s son on Tinder. High jinks ensue.

 

Tom Ford’s Melania Trump quote was a fake.

 

College student–made jewelry worn by Michelle Obama, Serena Williams.

 

Media Watch

The New York Times touts five new jewelry books.

The Economist on lab-grown diamonds (video).

Infographic tracks jewelry through the ages.

Swagger has men’s guide to engagement rings.

 

From the Blog  

What Amazon Can (and Can’t) Do With Its Jewelry Brands

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.

– Twitter: @robbatesjck

– Connect on LinkedIn

 

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