Week in Photos--September 28, 2014

By Michelle Graff
michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com

October 2, 2014

This week, Apple gave the public a preview of its new smartwatch at retailer Colette in Paris, hinting at what type of store might carry the product once it’s released.

Meanwhile, a 198-carat diamond sold for $10.6 million and a Rolex Sea-Dweller that once belonged to Philippe Cousteau Sr. went for $183,750 at auction.

See the photos from this week’s top headlines in this slideshow.

Apple partnered with Paris retail store Colette to preview the Apple Watch during Paris Fashion Week. Though neither Apple nor Colette would confirm if Colette would carry the watch once it’s released, the one-day-only event at the trendy store could be seen as an indication of the type of retailer that Apple will tap to carry its smartwatch. Read more here.
100314 Apple Watch-slide
A U.S. federal judge shot down a lawsuit filed by the Pebble Limited Partnership and the State of Alaska against the Environmental Protection Agency. The lawsuit was seeking to halt the EPA’s use of the Clean Water Act to review plans for the Pebble mine in Alaska. Read more here.
100314 Pebble mine-slide
This holiday season, employment gains and increased consumer spending are expected to boost retailers’ need for seasonal workers. Many of the major U.S. retailers recently said they will either hire the same amount or more part-time workers this holiday season. Read more here.
100314 Macys-slide
David Yurman, pictured here at the Jewelry Information Center’s 2014 Gem Awards ceremony, will be recognized at the Pratt Institute’s Legends Awards this November, along with fashion icon Iris Apfel and Paper magazine editor and publisher Kim Hastreiter. Read more here.
100314 Yurman-slide
Gem Diamonds Ltd. announced Wednesday that it sold the 198-carat diamond found in July for $10.6 million, or more than $53,000 per carat. The stone is roughly the size of a large strawberry and is a Type II, D color diamond. Read more here.
100314 198 Carat-slide
Fine jewelry brand Todd Reed opened its second standalone store, this one located in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. The 6,000-square-foot space is divided among three floors and includes a retail space and a jewelry design and production facility, as well as a living wall of more than 1,000 plants that extends from the exterior into the store. Read more here.
100314 Todd Reed-slide
British communications and trade show company United Business Media Plc (UBM) will acquire Advanstar for $972 million. If approved by shareholders, the deal means that UBM, which runs a number of jewelry trade shows including the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, will own Advanstar’s Magic Marketplace fashion events, in addition to 53 other trade shows and about 100 conferences. Read more here.
100314 UBM-slide
Jewelers Mutual is partnering with employee assistance program provider Ceridian LifeWorks to offer crisis counseling to jewelers in the wake of traumatic events. The “Reli(e)ve” program is available to jewelry business’s employees and their family members following a traumatic event that resulted in a Jewelers Mutual insurance claim. Read more here.
100314 Jewelers Mutual-slide
The Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665, once belonging to Philippe Cousteau Sr., sold for $183,750 at Antiquorum. The watch was part of the auction house’s recent Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces sale, which totaled $3.7 million, selling 80 percent by lot and 115 percent by value. Read more here.
100314 Cousteau Sea Dweller-slide

Apple partnered with Paris retail store Colette to preview the Apple Watch during Paris Fashion Week. Though neither Apple nor Colette would confirm if Colette would carry the watch once it’s released, the one-day-only event at the trendy store could be seen as an indication of the type of retailer that Apple will tap to carry its smartwatch. Read more here.

A U.S. federal judge shot down a lawsuit filed by the Pebble Limited Partnership and the State of Alaska against the Environmental Protection Agency. The lawsuit was seeking to halt the EPA’s use of the Clean Water Act to review plans for the Pebble mine in Alaska. Read more here.

This holiday season, employment gains and increased consumer spending are expected to boost retailers’ need for seasonal workers. Many of the major U.S. retailers recently said they will either hire the same amount or more part-time workers this holiday season. Read more here.

David Yurman, pictured here at the Jewelry Information Center’s 2014 Gem Awards ceremony, will be recognized at the Pratt Institute’s Legends Awards this November, along with fashion icon Iris Apfel and Paper magazine editor and publisher Kim Hastreiter. Read more here.

Gem Diamonds Ltd. announced Wednesday that it sold the 198-carat diamond found in July for $10.6 million, or more than $53,000 per carat. The stone is roughly the size of a large strawberry and is a Type II, D color diamond. Read more here.

Fine jewelry brand Todd Reed opened its second standalone store, this one located in the Venice neighborhood of Los Angeles. The 6,000-square-foot space is divided among three floors and includes a retail space and a jewelry design and production facility, as well as a living wall of more than 1,000 plants that extends from the exterior into the store. Read more here.

British communications and trade show company United Business Media Plc (UBM) will acquire Advanstar for $972 million. If approved by shareholders, the deal means that UBM, which runs a number of jewelry trade shows including the Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, will own Advanstar’s Magic Marketplace fashion events, in addition to 53 other trade shows and about 100 conferences. Read more here.

Jewelers Mutual is partnering with employee assistance program provider Ceridian LifeWorks to offer crisis counseling to jewelers in the wake of traumatic events. The “Reli(e)ve” program is available to jewelry business’s employees and their family members following a traumatic event that resulted in a Jewelers Mutual insurance claim. Read more here.

The Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665, once belonging to Philippe Cousteau Sr., sold for $183,750 at Antiquorum. The watch was part of the auction house’s recent Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces sale, which totaled $3.7 million, selling 80 percent by lot and 115 percent by value. Read more here.