Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
10 Jewelry News Stories You Might Have Missed
This is how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the jewelry industry so far.

Towns, cities and even entire nations are now in lockdown in an attempt flatten the curve—keep the virus from spreading to the point where it overwhelms health care systems.
In the jewelry industry, news of events being canceled or postponed flooded in throughout the week, while others stepped forward to help, either with donations or advice.
This week we’ve doubled our “stories you might have missed” feature from five to 10 to bring readers all our coverage on how the pandemic has impacted the jewelry industry so far.
To catch up on news related to COVID-19 at any time, visit this specially created page of NationalJeweler.com.
1. JCK Las Vegas, Luxury 2020 Jewelry Trade Shows Postponed
Reed Exhibitions made the announcement Tuesday that the events will be pushed back to “later in the year.”
2. AGS Conclave Becomes the Latest Industry Event to Be Canceled
The American Gem Society said it might replace its annual signature gathering with a virtual mini-conference later this year.
3. MJSA Expo Sets Rescheduled Fall Dates
It is slated for Oct. 25 and 26 at the Javits Center, co-locating with the JA New York Fall jewelry trade show.
4.LA Jewelry Industry Summit Postponed
Organizers said they hope to hold the event, originally scheduled for March 27, this fall.
5. Pandora Closes US Stores as COVID-19 Escalates
The jeweler also has scrapped its previously stated financial guidance in the wake of the pandemic.
6. Rolex, Patek Philippe Halt Production as Coronavirus Cases Rise
The watch giants have temporarily closed their production facilities in Switzerland.
7. LVMH Producing Hand Sanitizer To Help in Coronavirus Fight
The luxury titan will use its perfume and cosmetics production sites to make and provide free hand sanitizer to French health authorities.
8. Nearly 100 Designers Have Banded Together to Help Feed Children
They’re donating proceeds of sales to the nonprofit No Kid Hungry in light of the coronavirus.
9. On Data: 10 Tips for Coping with Coronavirus Fallout
In this special edition of On Data, Sherry Smith talks virtually connecting with customers and compiling a cheat sheet for employees on available resources.
10. Store Security, Safe Teleworking in the Time of COVID-19
Every single piece of merchandise needs to be stored out of sight, and computer systems need to have adequate protection, JSA says.
The Latest

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.


Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”

The latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.

Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.

Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.