The R&M “Lettre”

This week, someone called my attention to a story in the print version of the New York Post highlighting a trend many in the jewelry industry are already aware of: non-traditional engagement rings.

Auction house Christie’s is to auction a 16.08-carat cushion-shaped fancy vivid pink, type IIa diamond ring, with an estimate of $23-28 million, at its upcoming Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva.

Storied jewelers Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels did “exceptionally well in a volatile environment,” Richemont reported in its latest financial results. 

Tiffany & Co. engaged in discussions with top Apple executives a few months back, CEO Frédéric Cumenal said during a discussion of smartwatches at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference on Sept. 10.

On Nov. 11 in Geneva, Sotheby’s will auction the Blue Moon, a 12.03 ct. internally flawless vivid blue estimated to sell for between $35 million and $55 million. 

At its Sept. 9 product event, Apple announced a new partnership with French luxury brand Hermès to produce a co-branded version of its Apple Watch. 

In a week of big stories, the outcome of Tiffany v. Costco was certainly the biggest, as a federal court in New York handed down a decision that answered the question

Hong Kong-based jewelry retailer, Chow Tai Fook, debuted “A Heritage in Bloom” Thursday by world-renowned jewelry artist Wallace Chan.

LVMH has named Ian Rogers, a veteran of Apple and Beats Music, its chief digital officer. Rogers was the CEO of Beats Music and joined Apple in 2014 as a senior director when it acquired Beats Music.

Windhoek, Namibia – Tiffany & Co. confirmed Monday that Laurelton Diamonds, its diamond sourcing, cutting and polishing subsidiary, has closed its polishing factory in the Namibian capital of Windhoek and laid off all 157 employees in the process.

Used as accents or for pavé, melee is an integral part of the diamond market. Melee has always been an important player in the diamond market, accenting jewelry and creating sparkling pavé.

Veteran Philadelphia, Pennsylvania jeweler Neil Reiff last month published the following commentary on LinkedIn. With “Insanity of the Diamond Industry”*, the president of N.D. Reiff Company Ltd. raises a number of compelling concerns and questions for our industry. The article is reposted here with Reiff’s permission.