The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in May, declined even further in June. The Index now stands at 50.4 (1985=100), down from 58.1 in May. The Present Situation Index decreased to 64.5 from 74.2. The Expectations Index declined to 41 from 47.3 in May.

Following its Chapter 11 filing, Whitehall Jewelers says it plans to auction its assets—and is considering liquidation if no one steps in to buy it as a “going concern.”

White Bear Lake, Minn.—Charlotte Preston, the president and owner of Charlotte Preston Catalysts, is celebrating 15 years of service to the jewelry industry.

Detroit—Celebrity jeweler Jacob Arabov, known in the hip-hop world as "Jacob the Jeweler," has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for lying to investigators in a case involving the laundering of drug profits, the Associated Press has reported.

New York—For the first time, jewelry designer Donna Distefano will participate in the JA New York Summer Show, and she's bringing along a special guest.

New York—The International Gemological Institute (IGI) will now offer batch testing to detect all surface-coated tanzanite.

Chicago—Like so many companies before them, the weak economy was at the center of Whitehall Jewelers Holdings Inc.'s decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and the company is now forced to auction off its assets, court papers show.

West Hollywood, Calif.—California-based jewelry company House of Taylor Jewelry Inc. appears to be coming down like a house of cards.

Beverly Hills, Calif.—Damiani has chosen iconic screen siren Sharon Stone as the new face of the Damiani brand.

Newark, N.J.—Proposed legislation in New Jersey that would have required retail jewelers to keep records and photos of all jewelry they buy from consumers was tabled in the State Assembly, the New Jersey Jewelers Association has learned.