Jewelry & Watch News

Consumers want to know the origin of the things they buy, like the name of the farm that supplied their milk or the source of the feathers in a down jacket. But when it comes to a diamond — quite likely one of the most expensive and emotional purchases a jewelry buyer will ever make — most know next to nothing about the source of the stone. Tiffany & Company, which sold more than $500 million worth of diamond engagement rings in 2017, is hoping to change that. Beginning Wednesday, it will start a program that will identify for customers the country where their diamond was mined, and, eventually, information on where it was cut, polished and set. The move is part of an effort among jewelers to attract younger shoppers, who may look upon established, venerable stores as stuffy and uncool. They also tend to eschew the hefty baubles their parents preferred for a much more spare style.  The issue of sourcing is especially acute with diamonds

It gives retailers the tools and language to become true storytellers. The Diamond Producers Association announces the launch of a new e-learning program for diamonds, “Behind the Brilliance of Diamonds.” Developed to help all U.S. retailers, the hour-long program – split into three informative modules – offers educational material and quizzes, going beyond the 4Cs to highlight the intangible value of natural diamonds, billion-year-old treasures of the earth. “The Diamond Producers Association’s e-learning program, ‘Behind the Brilliance of Diamonds,’ offers a clear and concise, open platform for the industry,” said Grant Mobley, DPA’s trade relations lead. “Whether you have been working with diamonds for one day or 20 years, the program relates compelling stories about the history of natural diamonds, easy-to-digest and well-researched facts, and memorable details about the important benefits that the natural diamond industry makes to the world.” The initial be

It uses transdermal patch technology. Researchers say family planning for women could one day be as simple as putting on an earring. A report published recently in the  Journal of Controlled Release  describes a technique for administering contraceptive hormones through special backings on jewelry such as earrings, wristwatches, rings or necklaces. The contraceptive hormones are contained in patches applied to portions of the jewelry in contact with the skin, allowing the drugs to be absorbed into the body, according to a press release from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Initial testing suggests the contraceptive jewelry may deliver sufficient amounts of hormone to provide contraception, though no human testing has been done yet. A goal for the new technique is to improve user compliance with drug regimens that require regular dosages. Beyond contraceptives, the jewelry-based technique might also be used for delivering other drugs through the skin, according

A federal grand jury has indicted two residents of Covina, CA, on a federal conspiracy charge, mail fraud, and trafficking in counterfeit goods. They’re accused of importing and selling counterfeit Pandora Jewelry and Ray-Ban sunglasses. Xiaoying Xu, age 34, a Chinese citizen, and Yiwen Zhu, age 34, a Chinese citizen and legal permanent resident of the U.S., allegedly conspired with others to defraud e-commerce customers, obtaining more than $2 million in the scheme. “These defendants allegedly imported counterfeit goods from China and sold them as legitimate merchandise using the registered trademarks of legitimate companies,” said U.S. Attorney Robert K. Hur. “Those who traffic in counterfeit goods are committing a crime which results in American jobs lost, American business profits stolen, and American consumers tricked into receiving substandard products.” The crimes are alleged to have occurred from about August 2016 until approximately April 2019, accordin

As the first big showbiz event of the year, the Golden Globe Awards is the barometer for the slew of upcoming ceremonies and most importantly the Oscars in February.  And here at The Jewellery Editor, it’s not just about who wins what award, but more crucially, it is our first chance to see what the jewellery climate might be for 2019. So last night,  we were scanning the nominees as they stepped on to the red carpet in Los Angeles to see what we can expect coming over the horizon this year. Diamonds dominated the restrained mood of the year paired with sleek and chic gowns : think Charlize Theron’s elegantly simple Dior dress with classic diamond earrings from Bulgari. So far we can predict that the mood for 2019 looks conservative in style but big on glamour and high-value diamonds. Some splashes of colour here and there but few stand-out colour gems jewels in sight. Undoubtedly star of the evening was Lady Gaga in her majestic Valentino blue gown (above) with

From elegant ovals, to colourful stones and vintage-inspired designs, engagement rings come in a myriad of styles but according to Pinterest, there’s one particular ring that reigns supreme. The mother of all moodboards, it’s fair to say that brides-to-be spend a lot of time scouring the ‘visual bookmarking’ website for wedding inspiration – 40 million every year in fact – on everything from invitations, bridesmaid dresses and decorations. But when it comes to engagement rings, to-be-weds have hailed a simple solitaire as the most popular style ever with an impressive 103,900 saves, the Daily Mail reports. While it might be a classic choice, the ring which belongs to Sylvia Billone, is anything but ordinary. Art Deco in style, the solitaire ring is 1.22 karats with a two-millimetre-width super-trendy rose gold band – feminine, rosy shade that flatters all skin tones.  Sharing details of the ring online, Billone, who also wears a custom-designed wedding band, s

Choosing the perfect ring is tough - everyone's tastes are unique, and finding the piece of jewellery that your loved one would like to wear forever is a lot of pressure. There are also trends to consider, as styles move into and out of fashion. To help out loved-up people who are considering popping the question, experts have predicted the most popular trends as we head towards 2019. Coloured gems Diamonds may be forever, but that doesn’t mean other stones can't carry the same sentiment. As engagement rings should fit the couple’s personal style, this means the classic diamond doesn’t always have to be chosen. According to Lorna Haddon, head of diamond rings and jewellery at Beaverbrooks, there has been an increase in engagement rings created using coloured stones - and she expects the trend to continue into 2019. Referencing Pantone’s Spring/Summer 2019 predictions, which includes Princess Blue as one of the “hottest shades,” Haddon said “nowhere is t