Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
A rakhi for the rest of us?
For all of India's exoticism—the rickshaws, the smell of curry from the streetside food vendors, the women sweeping down the streets in colorful saris—it also has certain qualities that remind me of the good old U.S. of A. During my...
For all of India's exoticism—the rickshaws, the smell of curry from the streetside food vendors, the women sweeping down the streets in colorful saris—it also has certain qualities that remind me of the good old U.S. of A.
During my recent visit there for the India International Jewellery Show, I saw some of these similarities firsthand. There's an entrepreneurial spirit among its business people, a palpable energy when you walk down the streets of Mumbai (much like there is in New York), and even an obsession with celebrities, courtesy of Bollywood, the country's very successful film industry.
But there's one thing Indian jewelers enjoy that American jewelers do not: festivals. In India, every festival is not just a chance to celebrate, but an occasion on which to wear your very best jewelry, in mass quantity. And—this part is a symphony to any jeweler's ears—who wants to be caught dead in the same bangles or earrings they wore to the last festival?
The granddaddy of all Indian festivals is Diwali or the festival of lights, a religious and cultural festival that is probably the closest approximation to Christmas or Hanukkah here in the United States.
This is a major holiday, a celebration of family and of life itself, that brings in great sales for jewelers. Many of the retailers attending the late August show were buying for Diwali. And although that holiday doesn't happen until Nov. 9, I was able to bear witness to no fewer than two festivals during my 10-day stay in late August-early September.
One was the Festival of Rakhi, a celebration in which Indian brothers and sisters exchange bracelets made of sacred thread, similar to friendship bracelets sometimes seen here in the United States. Upping the ante this year, Surat jewelers were selling 18-karat gold bracelets with diamonds, bling bracelets that seemed the ideal status symbol for India's rising middle class.
The second festival I witnessed, which had less to do with jewelry as far as I could tell, was celebrated in part by people forming human pyramids. I thought the Indian colleague who told me about the latter was joking until I saw a group of men practicing the formation of these pyramids in a courtyard right outside of my hotel. [Who knew? The only U.S. equivalent I can think of is the opening scene from that 1970s family sitcom Eight Is Enough.]
The Latest
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
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.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
The “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
A new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
The 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.