De Beers mined more diamonds last year than any time since the global financial crisis of 2008. 

The company, a unit of Anglo American Plc, mined 33.5 million carats in 2017. That’s a 22 percent jump from a year earlier, beating its own target. Production was boosted by its new Gahcho Kue mine in Canada and better market conditions.

$500,000 bequest to fund Charles and Erna Leutwyler Memorial Scholarship

(CARLSBAD, Calif.) - GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will begin accepting applications for the current scholarship cycle on Feb. 1, 2018; applications are due by March 31, 2018. Applications are available at gia.edu/scholarships for the Institute’s Gemology and Jewelry Manufacturing Arts programs, courses and lab classes. 2018 is the first year for the Charles and Erna Leutwyler Memorial Scholarship, funded by a bequest of nearly $500,000 to GIA from the estate of alumni couple, Charles and Erna Leutwyler.

Eric Lux to compete January 27 – 28

(WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y.) - Eric Lux will compete in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship season-opening Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Lux, Vice President of Rembrandt Charms, will join Bar1 Motorsport in the 56th running of the twice around the clock pinnacle in motorsports.

2018 Patronage Dividend delights membership

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) - Retail Jewelers Organization (RJO) CEO Sarah Streb made a big announcement at their 2018 Winter Buying Show. The Show was held January 20-22 in Savannah, GA. On January 20th at the General Membership Luncheon Streb shared that RJO would be giving back almost six million dollars to its members during 2018. The announcement was met with thunderous applause by the entire membership in attendance.

There’s always room for improvement

Jewelry store owners and their staff must exhibit exemplary “retailer etiquette” for every customer that comes through their door. Experts give average letter grades to retail jewelers, and like any ongoing learning process, there’s always room for improvement on retailer etiquette essentials - especially with the ever-changing retail landscape.  

(IDEX Online) – The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) will unveil new diamond-based cryptocurrencies created by startup CARATS.IO during the February 5-7 International Diamond Week in Israel (IDWI).