Hey, everyone. The webinar I did with PriceScope has been posted. John Pollard did a great job asking questions about my views on such things as the future of lab-grown diamonds and my favorite and least favorite stories I’ve ever done, as well as my first book—including the pressing question of who would I cast in the (extremely unlikely) Netflix version. (John had much better answers than me on that.) I did, in a few instances, give coherent responses. Check it out here.
This week: Consumers revert to pre-pandemic shopping habits. Is the “engagement watch” trend for real? And a woman nearly loses her rings, then finds someone else’s. All below.
Mastercard predicts strong holiday for jewelry.
– Jewelry execs ponder pandemic and recovery at VicenzaOro 2021.
– America still driving diamond industry confidence.
Shoppers are returning to earlier shopping behaviors, study finds.
– Retail sales show surprising gains in August.
– Expert says luxury retailers need to create vibrant sensory experiences.
– More U.S. retailers opening than closing this year.
Brilliant Earth expects to raise $200 million in IPO.
Pandora wants to double U.S. business.
– CEO: Brick-and-mortar still important in jewelry (video).
– Pandora bets on Generation Z to boost sales.
– Introduces new gender targets.
– Plans to halve greenhouse gas emissions.
Lugano Diamonds purchased by investment company for $256 million.
Inside Jesper Nielsen’s ill-fated multilevel marketing company.
– Thomas Sabo also shutting direct sales division.
The New York Times: The big four “increase their grip on watch sales” (by Victoria Gomelsky).
– Why the Rolex watch shortage is a “perfect storm.”
– Why some still wear traditional watches.
Indie watchmaker Grönefeld stops taking orders as demand overwhelms supply.
Is the trend of “engagement watches” here to stay?
– Watch sellers hope so.
Four jewelry companies land on Inc. fastest-growing list.
Jewelers Board of Trade offers new services for UCCs, social media.
Industry mourns and remembers designer Alex Šepkus.
– National Jeweler collects industry reminiscences.
How Kendra Scott turned stores into supply centers in nine days.
There’s still fans for payment jewelry, despite smartwatch dominance.
Jeweler’s high-tech tagging program nabs suspect.
GIA says fake inscriptions, reports accompanied lab-grown, treated diamonds.
Diamond Foundry opening $800 million factory in Spain.
Alrosa wants to use ore to capture CO2.
Why media shouldn’t ignore deadly Congo diamond disaster.
– Alrosa boosts cooperation with Congo after fatal leak.
The battle for Namibia diamonds.
– De Beers sends new recovery vessel.
Petra Diamonds mulls selling Williamson mine.
– Petra hopes the worst is over.
Diamond rush in Chimanimani leaves trail of destruction.
Why South Africa’s small-scale mining sector needs policy reform.
Belgian diamond firms invest in Sierra Leone mine.
Race for top job at Debswana heats up (subscription required).
Testing for all Gahcho Kué workers after COVID-19 case at mine.
Israel’s diamond industry continues to grow in 2021.
Indian diamond industry faces labor shortage.
Can jewelry ever be circular?
Indian jewelry ad with trans actress wins hearts.
Ross-Simons hires Signet vet as CMO.
Greenwich St. Jewelers remembers changes brought on by 9/11.
Shigley wins AGS award, Lussier to win JA award.
2021 Met Gala jewelry: Bring on the diamonds!
– Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter wore diamond mesh top.
– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore Mejuri (along with now-famous dress).
– W magazine’s “best jewelry.”
New NDC “Love Life” campaign shows Ana de Armas, spirit of adventure.
Cartier announces Timothée Chalamet as new brand ambassador.
President’s granddaughter Naomi Biden’s engagement ring.
Jeweler tells story of designing Brittany Spears’ engagement ring.
Meghan Markle models $384k in jewelry on Time’s most influential people cover.
Beyoncé covers “Moon River” in latest Tiffany & Co. campaign.
Lil Durk issues warning about jewelers selling “fake” pieces.
– Two more linked to Marathe Jewellers arrested in cheating case.
Marie Antoinette diamonds expected to fetch over $2 million at auction.
Sotheby’s to auction $3.5 million diamond spectacles said to ward off evil.
The strange story of a dog and a diamond discovery.
– Paul Zimnisky interviews author Matthew Hart (audio).
After 15-year wait, Indian laborers find 8 ct. diamond.
Woman nearly loses diamond ring and finds someone else’s in the process.
Day’s Jewelers named a great place to work for seventh year in a row.
Media Watch
MSN discusses how much you should spend on an engagement ring.
Slate advice columnist addresses diamond necklace “tearing family apart.”
From the Blog
Inside Jesper Nielsen’s Ill-Fated Multilevel Marketing Company
From the Magazine
Lab-Grown Diamond Prices: An Inside Look
From the Podcast
The Jewelry District, Episode 52: Thoughts From the JCK Show
Webinars
National Jeweler’s “How to Write a Book”
Have a safe and healthy weekend.
– Email: rbates – at – jckonline.com.
– Twitter: @robbatesjck
– Connect on LinkedIn
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