MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SurveysDec 27, 2017
The 17 Most Popular Stories of 2017
Reading these will be more fun than whatever you have planned for New Year’s Eve.
Our most-read stories of 2017 included crime, notable auctions, gemstone supply blogs and corporate shake-ups.
New York--To mark the end of yet another 365-day trip around the sun, National Jeweler has rounded up its most-read stories of the year.
From crime to amazing auction results to corporate shakeups and more crime, these are the 17 stories our readers clicked on the most in 2017.
Enjoy, and Happy New Year!
17. 1,564 Jewelry Businesses Ceased Operations in 2016
This story from February shared year-end statistics from the Jewelers Board of Trade.
16. 12 Charged in $9M Diamond District Scam
Charged by federal authorities in early April, the men allegedly passed bad checks, used forged documents and told tall tales to cheat wholesalers out of millions of dollars in melee.
15. $13 Diamond Ring Sells for $850K
Originally bought at the British equivalent of a garage sale, the owner long thought it was a piece of worthless costume jewelry.
14. The ‘Monster’ Looking to Disrupt Man-Made Diamond Marketing
Amish Shah, whom National Jeweler interviewed at the JCK show in June, wants to change the conversation the industry is having with consumers about lab-grown diamonds.
13. Mark Light Retiring, Signet Appoints First Female CEO
The news broke in July, with Light reportedly stepping down due to health reasons and Virginia “Gina” C. Drosos stepping up.
12. Analysis: Light’s Out at Signet
Shortly after news broke of Light’s exit, our editor-in-chief detailed the long chain of events that led to his departure.
11. The State of the Majors
The popular report returned in October 2016 after a four-year hiatus and the digital flipbook version attracted thousands of readers. Here’s a link to the 2017 version, which came out this October.
10. Why People Still Wear Watches
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff asked people about their reasons for wearing a watch in an age in which the time is available everywhere.
9. Two Killed in Separate Weekend Robberies
It was a very sad start to the year with jewelry store-related shootings in Henderson, Nevada, and San Antonio, Texas, on the same weekend in January.
8. Forbes List of Wealthiest Women Includes 2 from Jewelry
Alex & Ani founder Carolyn Rafaelian and Kendra Scott made this year’s list of the richest self-made women in the United States.
7. Shake-Up at Signet: Two Big Retirements, New Roles
Interestingly, the February article about the retirements of Ed Hrabak and Tryna Kochanek topped news of Light’s retirement in terms of readership.
6. Forget Millennials, Meet the ‘Midult’
She’s a woman between the ages of 35 and 55 with spending power who’s largely being ignored by jewelers.
5.
Hoop There It is: The Trend That’s Taking Us into 2017
OK, so this story technically ran in 2016 but it was December. And it proved to be popular into the new year, detailing the resurgence hoop earrings of all styles are enjoying right now.
4. 5 Things to Know About … Ethiopian Emeralds
Senior Editor and colored gemstone reporter Brecken Branstrator launched a “5 Things to Know About” series in 2017, and her story about emeralds from a new source proved popular.
3. Jewelry Industry Bullying on Facebook
A ring included in an article about pastel-colored gemstones ignited a heated back-and-forth on social media that got unnecessarily nasty.
2. How Much Are U.S. Consumers Spending on Engagement Rings?
Published in February, this story compared figures from two major sources of data on the wedding market.
1. 5 Things to Know About … Burmese Rubies
The first installment in Branstrator’s “5 Things to Know About” series, this story was published in late January and continued to attract readers all year long.
OK, so this story technically ran in 2016 but it was December. And it proved to be popular into the new year, detailing the resurgence hoop earrings of all styles are enjoying right now.
4. 5 Things to Know About … Ethiopian Emeralds
Senior Editor and colored gemstone reporter Brecken Branstrator launched a “5 Things to Know About” series in 2017, and her story about emeralds from a new source proved popular.
3. Jewelry Industry Bullying on Facebook
A ring included in an article about pastel-colored gemstones ignited a heated back-and-forth on social media that got unnecessarily nasty.
2. How Much Are U.S. Consumers Spending on Engagement Rings?
Published in February, this story compared figures from two major sources of data on the wedding market.
1. 5 Things to Know About … Burmese Rubies
The first installment in Branstrator’s “5 Things to Know About” series, this story was published in late January and continued to attract readers all year long.
More on Surveys
The Latest
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
