b'LETTER FROM THE EDITOR120 Broadway, Suite 2820 | New York, NY 10271 | www.nationaljeweler.comI n one of our (many, many) email exchangesEDITOR-IN-CHIEF about this years State of the MajorsMichelle Graffissue, longtime industry editor Peggy Jomichelle.graff@nationaljeweler.comDonahue quoted a line from a famous BobEDITORIALDylan song. Senior Editor, News Lenore FedowThe times, they are a-changin ., she wrote.lenore.fedow@nationaljeweler.com As I write this letter in mid-April, at theAssociate Editor, Gemstones Lauren McLemoreend of a whirlwind week of on-then-offlauren.mclemore@nationaljeweler.comreciprocal tariffs and a back-and-forth withAssociate Editor, Fashion Natalie FranciscoChina, which could be resolved by the timenatalie.francisco@nationaljeweler.comyou read this, the reference and the songCONTRIBUTORS(Come senators, congressmen/Please heed theEditorial Edahn Golan, Avi Krawitz, Peter Smithcall) ring truer than ever. Research Peggy Jo Donahue, Edahn GolanBut tariffs arent the only sign of changing times. Copy Editor Peggy Jo DonahueIts the evolving landscape of retail. Senior Editor Lenore Fedow addresses it in her story on accessibility forArt Direction and Design Weswen Designcustomers with disabilities (page 10), while Edahn Golan (page 21) and PeterSALESSmith (page 78) also discuss shifts in retail in their columns, particularly whenU.S. Sales | Bobbie Hamburgit comes to shopping in malls.bobbie.hamburg@nationaljeweler.com | 610-716-1225Its lab-grown diamonds.India Sales | Kaushal Shah They have altered the landscape of the diamond market but face ankaushal@kaushals.com | +91 98217 15431uncertain future as luxury items, with prices and (theoretically) margins falling but consumer awareness growing.MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONSThe current state of the lab-grown diamond market calls to mind anotherDirector of Marketing & Communicationsline from that same Dylan song: And dont speak too soon for the wheels stillMolly Fallon | mfallon@jewelers.orgin spin.Marketing & Communications ManagerEmily Russo | erusso@jewelers.orgLongtime industry journalist Avi Krawitz, a contributor to this years issue,Digital Services Manager examines where the lab-grown market is headed in his article on page 52.Michael Coleman | mcoleman@jewelers.orgIts the higher prices in the colored gemstone market that have raised theMarketing Coordinator profile of so-called semi-precious gemstones while also raising questions aboutJordan Carmel | jcarmel@jewelers.orgthe future of colors Big Threerubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Associate Editor Lauren McLemore addresses this issue in her story onEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDpage 70. Cathy Calhoun, Calhoun JewelersAnd, finally, its the passage of time itself, which has seemed to move at aBill Farmer Jr., Farmers Jewelrydifferent speed since the pandemic.Karen Goracke, BorsheimsIn her story on page 60, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco takes us on aSteve Padis, Padis Jewelersnostalgic journey through the last 10 years in jewelry trends, from the teeny- Craig Rottenberg, Longs Jewelerstiny pieces that dominated in 2015-2016 to the advent of the pandemic, which had us all turning to big, bold jewelry that could be seen on a computer screen. For me, Natalies story begs the question: Has it really been a decade since we were all obsessed with the #neckmess? I hope you enjoy this issue, a-changin times and all, and please say hello ifPRESIDENT & CEOyou see me in Las Vegas. David J. BonaparteBOARD OF DIRECTORS Coleman Clark, Chair, BC Clark Jewelers Sue Hopeman, Robbins Brothers JewelersMatthew Rosenheim, Chair-Elect, Tiny Jewel Box Sheryl Jones, Sheryl Jones Inc. Steve Padis, Vice Chair, Padis Jewelry Julie Keeney, Fred Meyer JewelersElise Greenberg, Vice Chair, Lenny Kramer, Leo Schachter DiamondsMichelle Graff, Editor-in-ChiefGreenbergs Jewelers Valerie Madison, Valerie Madison Fine JewelrySteve Velasquez, Secretary, Madison Jewelers Robert Marks, Rogers Jewelry Co.Karen Goracke, Treasurer, Borsheims Hunter McGrath, TivolRobert F. Moeller II, Immediate Past Chair, Constance Polamalu, Zacharys JewelersR.F. Moeller Jewelers Stan Razny, Razny JewelersLawrence Bock, Bachendorfs Tobey Ritchie, Harry RitchiesJoseph Corey, Days Jewelers8 STATE OF THE MAJORS 2025 Kim Crawford, Macys Inc. Sherry Smith, The Edge Retail AcademyTonia Ulsh, Mountz JewelersEdward Dikes, Weston Jewelers'