CrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
EditorsMar 02, 2009
Graff tours Graff
With a surname like Graff and a job covering the diamond industry, I’m constantly asked if I’m related to well-known diamantaire and billionaire Laurence Graff. To answer this question once and for all, no. To be honest, until I took...
With a surname like Graff and
a job covering the diamond industry, I’m constantly asked if I’m related to
well-known diamantaire and billionaire Laurence Graff.
To answer this question once
and for all, no.
To be honest, until I took
this job, I had never heard of Laurence Graff. The most famous Graff in my mind
was tennis player Steffi Graf—different spelling but possibly the same family.
(It’s my understanding that my relatives added the extra “F” when they
immigrated to the United States.)
In any case, this Graff opted
last week to take a tour of that Graff’s relatively new store on Madison Avenue
with help from Graff public relations director Danielle Rossi.
The store, which opened in
November and is an upgrade from a smaller space Graff used to occupy nearby,
didn’t disappoint.
My first observation about
the store (I’ll skip all the boring details about the elegant décor, which is
intended to be sophisticated yet not intimidating, etc., etc.) is that it definitely was not dead.
People milled in and out,
sitting with sales associates at the swank tables and pouring over pieces of
dazzling diamond jewelry.
In a store like Graff
Diamonds, there is no shortage of eye-catching pieces; Laurence Graff is famous
for plunking down millions for some of the world’s most high-profile rough and
polished diamonds, like the recent 478-carat rough diamond dubbed the “Leseli
la Letseng” (the Light of Letseng), a diamond recovered from the Letseng le
Terai Mine in the African kingdom of Lesotho.
Through manufacturing arm
Safdico, Graff (Laurence, not Michelle) paid $18.4 million for the stone.
And while stones such as the
70-carat fancy intense-yellow cushion-cut ring sparkling from one of the
rotating display cases can’t be missed, my favorite piece in the store was
actually a dark-gray pearl ring surrounded by what could best be described as
an art deco-inspired fan of diamonds.
Alas, however, as I
discovered through chatting with Danielle, Graff doesn’t loan pieces, even to
people with the same surname.
It looks like a moniker is
all I will ever share with Laurence Graff.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsApr 24, 2024
Pippa Small Announces ‘Venus’ CollectionInspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
FinancialsApr 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands a Bright Spot in Tough Q1The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2024 Grant RecipientsThe selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
Weekly QuizApr 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
SourcingApr 24, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
WatchesApr 24, 2024
These Are Rolex’s New Watches for 2024 The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
ColumnistsApr 23, 2024
The Smart Lab: Advanced Email Marketing Strategies for Mother’s DayEmmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
IndependentsApr 23, 2024
Hannoush Jewelers Opens New Store in New York Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Lucapa Sells 3 Diamonds for $10.5M in First Lulo Tender of 2024A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
GradingApr 23, 2024
GIA Has a New Book About William RuserRuser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
CollectionsApr 22, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Stars Adam Levine, Behati PrinslooThe “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
SourcingApr 22, 2024
Virtual Diamond Boutique Rebrands as ‘VDB’The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
MajorsApr 22, 2024
Signet Raises Nearly $9M for St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalThe money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormFrom now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Supplier BulletinApr 18, 2024
Discover History’s Hidden Gems at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly YochThe Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
TAG Heuer Opens Its Largest Standalone Boutique at SeaThe 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2024
NDC Prevails in U.K. Case Over Lab-Grown Diamond AdvertisingNDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
Events & AwardsApr 17, 2024
And the 2024 Winner of the Shipley Award Is … John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
FinancialsApr 17, 2024
LVMH’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Fall 5%LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
MajorsApr 17, 2024
Stuller’s B&D Opens New HeadquartersB&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
