This week: The story of the world’s second-largest diamond. Sotheby’s struggles after art market tanks. Details on the Trump-branded watch. All below.

Wishing everyone who celebrates a happy and healthy new year.

 

Signet CEO Gina Drosos steps down

– Drosos on why she’s retiring

– Drosos on CNBC (video)

– (Old) video with new CEO

 

Watches of Switzerland acquires Hodinkee

– Hodinkee founder’s letter

– New York Times story (by Victoria Gomelsky)

 

Lab-grown diamond company Lusix sold for $2.5 million

 

Anglo still intends to sell De Beers

– Anglo braces for fresh takeover turmoil

– Is De Beers empire on the rocks? (subscription)

– Takeaways from De Beers’ breakfast in Hong Kong

– Rapaport sees “crisis”

 

Is this the Signet/De Beers “beacon”?

 

Indian diamond traders hit by massive default

– BBC: India’s diamond trade struggles to stave off impact of Ukraine war

– Wall Street Journal finds the same (subscription)

– Indian industry faces “decade-low revenues”

– Latest stats move in positive direction (video)

– Surat’s diamond ambitions falter

– Smartphones now India’s top export to U.S., surpassing diamonds

 

Avi Krawitz: The problem with grading lab-grown diamonds

– Full IAC panel on lab-grown (video)

 

Thrilling story of the second-largest diamond in the world

 

Burgundy asks Canadian government for aid

– Ekati workers concerned about benzene exposure at mine

 

Good Wall Street Journal article on problems at Sotheby’s

 

Mytheresa to acquire Yoox Net-a-Porter

 

Hurricane Helene disrupts jewelers’ lives

 

Frederick Goldman appoints new vice president of sales

 

With Clarity hires Marie Audier as CEO 

 

Breguet taps Gregory Kissling as CEO

 

Hearts on Fire appoints Gabrielle Grazi sales VP

 

Pandora names new chief marketing officer

 

Stuller celebrates long-serving employees

 

Virginia jeweler’s quest to see if Taylor Swift wore her necklace

 

Independent watchmakers draw big brand interest

 

Swatch Group stock gains amid delisting speculation

 

LVMH, Formula One sign 10-year deal

– Will Rolex regret it?

 

Chrono24 introduces “dynamic pricing” for dealers

 

It’s a good time to get a Patek Philippe ref. 5711

 

Rio Tinto to sell final Argyle red

 

JA meets with Congress members about Russian diamonds, retail crime

 

Armenia’s “mythical divorce” from Russia

 

Female workers in Botswana complain about harassment, working conditions

 

Surat diamond firms face fraud allegations

 

Florida jeweler charged with selling counterfeits

 

Man pleads guilty after bragging about jewelry theft on Instagram

 

How billionaires try to stifle the free press

 

“Everything you never wanted to know about the Trump watch”

– Watch expert analyzes

 

The reason Hoda Kotb wore “M” necklace when announcing exit from Today

 

Comedian Jay Pharoah’s white gold cross necklace

 

Long-lost shipwreck packed with gold discovered in Namibian desert

 

Gary Roskin tests how well you’d do in “Birthstones” on Jeopardy!

 

Media Watch  

Daily Mail: Australian jewelers debate natural diamonds vs. lab-growns

 

From the Blog

Signet CEO Gina Drosos on Why She’s Retiring

 

From the Podcast   

The Jewelry District, Episode 131: Guest Julia Hackman Chafé

 

Email: rbates –at – jckonline.com

– X: @robbatesjck

– Connect on LinkedIn

 

Have a great weekend.

 

 (Photo: Getty Images)  

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