Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
The 10 Most-Read Stories of 2018 So Far
Crimes without punishment, amazing gemstones and legal rows round out the list of the most-read stories on NationalJeweler.com in the first half of the year.
Each July, I am filled with delight when I realize we’ve reached the halfway point of the year and it’s time once again to round up our most-read stories of the year to date and do a bit of jewelry industry analysis based upon it.
As I might have confessed on these pages before, I love analytics to the point where it borders on being an obsession. How are the stories we posted today on NationalJeweler.com doing? How is today’s newsletter performing? What about Facebook? Twitter? Disqus?
I enjoy checking our content management system, email marketing platform and various social media accounts for analytics updates almost as much as I like scrolling through Taylor Swift’s Instagram feed to see pictures of her cats, which is to say: I like it a lot.
So, without further ado, I present to you the 2018 objects of my obsession: the 10 most-read stories on National Jeweler so
1. Thieves Snatch 20-Carat Diamond at Vegas Show
Crime stories always play well on our site, partly because crime stories do well everywhere and also because jewelry theft, robberies, etc. are possibilities every single jeweler, traveling salesperson, diamond dealer, etc. has to be thinking about on a daily basis.
But this story, which detailed how two men slipped a 20-carat diamond out of an unlocked showcase at one of the Las Vegas jewelry trade shows, exceeded expectations even for a jewelry crime tale, outperforming articles that were much more sordid in scope.
It also highlighted a key piece of advice that bears repeating: Whether in a store or at a jewelry trade show, don’t ever leave showcases unlocked.
2. 5 Engagement Ring Trends for 2018
Trend stories also are popular across the internet, so it serves to reason that a story about trends in engagement rings, which make up a large portion of jewelers’ revenues, would do well on a trade website.
A few of the trends we highlighted include the rise of rose gold with pavé, the resiliency of the halo and the popularity of three-stone rings, spurred, of course, by the ring worn by the woman now known as the Duchess of Sussex.
3. 5 Things to Know About … Rainbow Lattice Sunstone
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator, who covers the colored gemstone market for National Jeweler, launched her “5 Things to Know About” series in January 2017, and it quickly has become a site favorite.
So far this year, she has highlighted rainbow lattice sunstone as well as conch pearls. The “5 Things” article about conch pearls just missed the cut for the 10 most popular, but that doesn’t mean you can’t check it out anyway.
4. Nirav Modi Case Is ‘Another Nail in the Coffin’
Not surprisingly, two stories about the scandal surrounding Indian diamantaire Nirav Modi, who is accused of bilking Punjab National Bank out of nearly $2 billion, cracked the top 10. This was the first article we wrote about it; it assesses the long-term damage the scandal will have on an industry already struggling to secure financing.
5. The 3.14-Carat ‘Alpha’ Diamond in Rio Tinto’s Tender
Seeing the diamonds in Rio Tinto’s annual sale of red, pink and purple diamonds from the Argyle mine in Western Australia is always one of the highlights of my year, and it doesn’t look like 2018 will let me down.
Though I won’t view the stones in person until the fall, my early favorites (based on photos) include the 1.57-carat princess-cut fancy dark gray-violet “Argyle Alchemy” and the 3.14-carat emerald-cut “Argyle Alpha,” a fancy vivid purplish-pink diamond.
6. A. Jaffe, Firestar Diamond File Bankruptcy
This is the second story related to Modi that made the top 10 most-read list. Since this story was published in February, a buyer has come forward for A. Jaffe, with the judge set to approve (or deny) that sale today.
Stay tuned …
7. The History Behind … The Squash Blossom Necklace
I launched this occasional series on antique and estate jewelry back in 2014, starting with Mizpah pieces.
Sadly this year, we’ve only gotten around to writing one “The History Behind,” but it was a good (and apparently popular) one, highlighting an iconic design in Native American jewelry.
8. Sears, Macy’s Announce Even More Store Closings
Like crime, store closings always play well on our site, though it is surprising this article from January outperformed another mass-store-shuttering story that’s more relevant to the jewelry trade: Signet’s March announcement that it will close 200-plus locations this year.
9. Sterling Suing Alex and Ani for Breach of Contract
“Alex and Ani went to Jared, and it didn’t go so well,” I wrote back in January when we covered this lawsuit. I nominate this story for our “Best Abstract of the Year” award.
10. Alex and Ani Files a Counterclaim in Sterling Suit
The follow-up to our January article on the Sterling-Alex and Ani dispute also garnered many clicks, as the bracelet company fired back at the retail giant with its own breach of contract allegations.
What were your favorite stories on NationalJeweler.com so far this year? Are there any you are suprised to see—or surprised not to see—among the 10 most-read articles?
The Latest
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
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.
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.
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.