First, a quick note: On March 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET, I will be moderating a webinar put on by Canadian Gemlab called “Future of Natural and Laboratory-Grown Diamonds,” which features knowledgeable folks from Swarovski and Borsheims, plus veteran industry experts Dan Scott, Garry Holloway, and Antoinette Matlins. Register here.

Also, we are really excited about this week’s podcast, a chat with Alexander Lacik, CEO of Pandora. He has a lot of great insights about brand building, attracting younger consumers, where his company may have gone wrong, and how it’s coming back. Check it out here. It’s so good I even included some bonus cuts.

This week in Diamond Shavings: Jewelry sales rise over Valentine’s Day. Everything on Amazon is an ad. Are there gems on Mars? All below.

 

Jewelry spending up 6% over Valentine’s Day, says SpendingPulse.

 

What’s new with the Paycheck Protection Program.

 

States drop mask mandates, putting retailers at risk.

 

Industry copes with spurt of grab and runs.

 

Signet hopes piercing will boost mall traffic.

 

Mall owner Washington Prime preps for bankruptcy filing.

 

Private equity pours $500 million into Saks e-commerce spinoff.

 

CaratLane sets its sights on overseas.

 

Kering invests in secondhand site Vestiaire Collective.

 

Chrono24 hires CFO with experience taking companies public.

 

The RealReal files anti-competition claim against Chanel.

– Chanel marks its new perfume with 55 ct. diamond necklace.

 

The “software pirates” of Surat.

 

Jeweler pleads guilty to lying to federal agents.

 

Former banker sentenced in African diamond and gold scam.

 

How India won the fight to extradite Nirav Modi.

 

Erik Jens on the evolution of diamond financing.

 

Diamond prices find balance, says Rapaport.

 

Alrosa plans to sell 34–36 million cts. next year.

 

Angola seeks to boost diamond mining output.

 

Diamond traders warned about Central African Republic.

– Avi Krawitz wants to “talk about conflict.”

 

United Nations underscores commitment to Kimberley Process.

 

What is Gahcho Kué doing to protect its workers from COVID-19?

– Mine plans to restart.

 

Namibia moves to curb mining speculators, boost local ownership.

 

47th Street “founding father” Norman Landsberg dies.

 

Georgia jeweler Johnny Johnson dies.

 

Macy’s shakes up its executive ranks.

 

Boaz Moldawsky elected president of Israel Diamond Exchange.

 

De Beers appoints Joy Roman as new human resources director.

 

Capri Holdings appoints Alejandro Martinez-Galindo as new chief information officer.

 

Bulgari CEO wants more hotels, handbags.

 

Tiffany & Co. reportedly looking to move out of Trump building.

 

Twitter to implement new paid Tweet feature.

 

Everything on Amazon is an ad.

 

Beyoncé and Lorraine Schwartz offer two GIA scholarships for Black students.

 

RJC looks at ways to increase gender equality.

 

Lebanese designer sparks outrage with diamond ring inspired by port blast.

 

Meghan Markle’s earrings said to come from Saudi prince linked to murder.

– Palace said the earrings were “borrowed.”

– Past jewelry controversies.

– Markle paid tribute to Princess Diana by wearing her bracelet.

 

Golden Globes 2021: our favorite jewelry looks.

– The big trend: diamond drop earrings.

 

Phil Collins’ ex-wife is auctioning off his watches.

 

Liam Neeson to star in movie about diamond mine that collapses.

 

Fake Rolex turns out to be worth real money.

 

Police warn of fake jewelry scam in California.

 

Are gemstones coming from Mars?

– Antwerp diamonds help conquer Mars.

 

How she’s managing: Marisa Perry Atelier cofounder Marisa Perry.

 

From the Blog

A Few More Words From Pandora’s CEO

 

From the Podcast

The Jewelry District, Episode 39: Guest Alexander Lacik

 

 

 

 

Have a safe and healthy weekend.

 

 

– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.

– Twitter: @robbatesjck

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