The $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
Retailer A.M. DePrisco Expands to the Midwest
The family-owned business has opened a new store in the affluent Lake Forest neighborhood north of Chicago.
Chicago—Family-owned retailer A.M. DePrisco has expanded to the Midwest with the opening of a new store in Chicago’s North Shore region.
Frank and Marie DePrisco established DePrisco Jewelers in Boston in 1948. Albert DePrisco purchased the business from his family in 1995 and, after more than a decade of operating independently, opened A.M. DePrisco in Wellesley, Massachusetts. DePrisco Jewelers still operates in Boston and Osterville, Massachusetts.
The new A.M. DePrisco location will be owned and operated by Chicago natives and Lake Forest residents Jon and Jennifer Smoter; Jennifer’s aunt, Lisa Niemi Swayze DePrisco (the widow of actor Patrick Swayze), is Albert DePrisco’s wife.
Chicago master jeweler Marc Scherer—who won a global competition to set the 56-carat “Serendipity” color-change sapphire, originally discovered by Louis Comfort Tiffany—will manage the store.
Located at 284 E. Deerpath Road in Lake Forest, the newly renovated store was Jewels of Lake Forest owned by Dru Anne Smyth, who is retiring after 15 years.
A.M. DePrisco started hosting a series of high-end trunk shows in the new location on Oct. 30, featuring collections from designers such as Alex Soldier, Roberto Demeglio, Atelier Munsteiner, Sutra, Mastoloni Pearls and Beny Sofer NYC.
“Relationships with a personal jeweler starts with trust and great care. Our expertise, craftsmanship, global network of suppliers of diamonds and precious gemstones, access to designers and brands and appraisal capabilities are unmatched,” Albert DePrisco said. “Chicago’s North Shore is a special community where we are honored to bring our national brand.”
The Latest

With gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.


The “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.

The jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.

The Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.

The discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.

The jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.

A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.

Sponsored by A Diamond Is Forever

The next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.

It was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.

While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

























