Watch: A Q&A With Stephen Lussier
The soon-to-retire De Beers executive discusses diamond advertising then vs. now, what he’ll miss most about going to work every day, and more.
Lussier got into the diamond business in the early 1980s. Just out of grad school at Columbia University, he got put on the De Beers account at New York-based advertising agency N.W. Ayer, making the leap to De Beers—and the move to London—a few years later.
He’s been marketing diamonds for the company ever since.
On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” Lussier joined Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff for a look back, and a look ahead.
He discussed the differences between advertising when he started in the ‘80s vs. now, the biggest missteps of his career, what he’ll miss most about De Beers, and why consumers always come back to diamonds.
Watch the full session above, and please join us for another episode of “My Next Question” on Tuesday, March 15 at 2 p.m.
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator will interview Angie Ash, executive vice president of Fruchtman Marketing, and Jimmy DeGroot, owner of JewelryStoreTraining.com, about how retailers can get their stores ready for Mother’s Day.
Read more about it and sign up here.
The Latest

Sponsored by HiBid

Plus, JSA President John Kennedy talks about the trajectory of industry crime over the last 20 years.

The fair was evacuated temporarily Tuesday after four suspects smashed a showcase and stole jewelry from British jeweler Symbolic & Chase.

Rare & Forever is helping to create an enjoyable diamond buying experience for the millions of newly-engaged couples.

The 21st annual awards show and gala will take place in New York City next March.

The jewelry trade show is scheduled for Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

It is the fifth acquisition under the ownership of private equity firm Epiris, which bought Bonhams in 2018.

Experience all the Italian Jewelry market has to offer in Las Vegas.

The “Celebration Infinite” diamond has more than three times the number of facets in a traditional brilliant-cut diamond, the retailer said.

The brand again partnered with the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School to celebrate the launch of the “Summer Wind” watches.

Retail ounce sales were up 23 percent year-over-year in Q1, according to the recent Platinum Jewellery Business Review.

Scheduled for Sept. 8-11, the event will comprise more than 310,000 square feet of show floor, exhibits, and education space.

If you’re having trouble answering this question, columnist Lilian Raji can help you get a started with a few fill-in-the-blank statements.

Continental Diamond in Minneapolis is awarding a total of $25,000 in prizes via daily sweepstakes.

“Lenox” marks the designer’s foray into bespoke jewels and large colored gemstones.

“Confluence” is happening in August.

He first took a job at then Philadelphia-based Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone in 1963 and retired in 1996.

The lifestyle platform will stock fine jewelry and watches from the retailers on its website and in store.

It cited two recent cases in California, plus incidents in Florida, Kansas, and Illinois.

The 10,000-square-foot location allows for expanded collections from design partners while continuing custom design and other services.

Svetlana Lazar’s “Wishing Well” collection utilizes an innovative component to mimic the movement of water beneath them.

All proceeds up to $25,000 will benefit the It Gets Better Project, a nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ youth.

It’s a reminder that life is best lived with discretion.
The end-to-end software allows for real-time control over all sales, inventory, repairs, customer communications, and marketing.

Associate Editor Lenore Fedow shares her impressions of the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show and a few of her favorite finds.

The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences aims to set a color standard for the trade name.