The Gemological Institute of America’s annual Jewelry Career Fair & Open House will be held Sept. 12 at the Institute’s headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif. This free event is the jewelry industry’s premiere recruiting event that brings together skilled and trained job seekers, prominent employers, and gem enthusiasts.

The Jewelers’ Security Alliance has retained George Slicho as a special consultant. He will work primarily on JSA’s project to develop local crime prevention networks of jewelers and police, as well as assist JSA with its extensive work involving retail jewelry chains.

Providence, R.I.—The third annual Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA) Trade Show for Jewelry Making (TSJM) will offer free educational seminars in addition to providing access to a wide variety of vendors.

Chicago—It is likely that 17 Whitehall Jewellers stores in the Chicago area will soon become Michael Hill jewelry stores, an investment firm working with the latter company told National Jeweler on Thursday.

Cincinnati—Amid a difficult retail environment, same-store sales for Macy's Inc. fell 2.1 percent for the second quarter ended Aug. 2, compared with the same period last year.

New York—Phillips de Pury and Co. is changing up its usual lineup of contemporary art auctions by putting a whole lot of bling on the block is an auction titled "Hip Hop's Crown Jewels."

Billings, Mont.—Palladium Alliance International (PAI) has awarded Ryan Muckelroy an all-expense-paid trip to Stillwater Mining Co. for selling the most palladium jewelry at retail jeweler Robbins Brothers.

Washington D.C.—Retailers, particularly discounters, saw a slight gain in retail sales in July as consumers continued to cash in on their government-issued economic-stimulus checks.

An American has purchased a 3.69-ct. ruby on eBay India for $19,600, making it one of the most expensive jewelry items sold on the country-specific Web auction site.