By Maria Doulton | 30 September 2026 In the world of high horology and fine jewelry, few inventions have managed to bridge the gap between technical precision and whimsical artistry as effectively as Chopard’s "Happy Diamonds." This year, the Swiss maison commemorates a monumental milestone: the 50th anniversary of its…
By Maria Doulton, Editor-in-Chief 09 October 2026 In an era where the boundary between fine art, technological innovation, and ethical responsibility continues to blur, the search for the next generation of jewellery talent has never been more vital. As a judge for the Bright New Gems 2026 initiative, I have…
In the heart of the Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the act of mining for gold has historically been synonymous with conflict, exploitation, and the funding of militia groups. However, a decade-long project spearheaded by ethical trade activist Greg Valerio MBE is beginning to rewrite…
By Maria Doulton | 30 September 2026 In the world of high horology and fine jewellery, few innovations have achieved the status of a true cultural icon. Yet, for half a century, Chopard’s "Happy Diamonds" have danced to a rhythm entirely their own. As of September 2026, the Swiss maison…
By Maria Doulton | 13 September 2026 The atmosphere inside the Plénitude Arena de Paris on the evening of 12 September 2026 was electric, heavy with the weight of expectation and the raw emotion of a long-awaited reunion. As the lights dimmed and the opening chords resonated through the auditorium,…
The global diamond industry, once characterized by the ironclad stability of an eternal monopoly, is currently navigating its most profound identity crisis in history. As of late 2026, the marketplace has bifurcated into two distinct, competing realities. On one side, lab-grown diamonds have surged to capture over 50% of global…
The global diamond industry, a sector that has historically relied on the narrative of eternal rarity, finds itself at a precarious crossroads. By mid-2026, the industry has undergone a tectonic shift: lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) now command more than half of the global diamond jewellery market by value, and over 50%…
