The announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
The 17 Most Popular Stories of 2017
Reading these will be more fun than whatever you have planned for New Year’s Eve.
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.
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.
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The “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Owner David Mann is heading into retirement.
While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
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The ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
Retailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
The late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
Three fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
Kimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.