Help power Marketplace this winter when you support the show today. Donate Now!

Deciphering the diamond and gem district

Even the pros have trouble with certain pieces of jewelry. But there's at least one reliable way to verify what you're buying.
Dave Bindra, of B&B Fine Gems, is our guide to the gemstones and jewelry.
David Brancaccio/Marketplace

Slow sales shed light on how jewelers make money via financing

Jan 17, 2019
Signet Jewelers, the company behind Kay Jewelers, Jared and Zales, is reporting weak holiday sales figures. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

How to be a jewelry designer

Nov 19, 2018
Polly Wales talks about how she made a career out of her art.
Polly Wales, center, at her studio in Los Angeles.
Courtesy of Polly Wales Fine Jewelry

Diamond industry facing rough sales

Jan 1, 2016
Which means 2016 might be a good time to go diamond hunting.

Diamonds: pricey, but not valuable

Apr 15, 2015
"Freakonomics" author Stephen Dubner explains what keeps diamonds valuable.

Sotheby's auctions blue diamond for a lot of green

Oct 7, 2013
Sotheby’s Hong Kong is auctioning the world’s largest round blue diamond, the Premier Blue, for $19 million dollars. There’s not much you can do with diamonds but they are always in demand.

World's largest flawless diamond up for auction

May 15, 2013
Today, Christie's will auction off a rare 101 carat diamond that is expected to fetch $20 million to $30 million.

For public good, not for profit.