The American Jewelry Design Council is accepting applications for its annual New Talent Contest. The winner is awarded a booth in the New Designer Gallery at the Jewelers of America New York Summer Show, July 26-29 at the Javits Convention Center.

New York—The Centurion Emerging Designer Awards will make its debut at Centurion 2009, and the submissions deadline is fast-approaching, with entries due on Monday, Sept. 1.

Neenah, Wis.—Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. has been named one of the 2008 winners of "The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security."

Buffalo Grove, Ill.—For Illinois jeweler Jon Migdow, the sale of a piece of rough-diamond jewelry starts with a story.

Bristol Bay, Alaska—Alaskan voters defeated a petition on Tuesday to block development of the controversial Pebble Mine, various news outlets reported.

Hayward, Calif.—Mervyns has received court approval for its bankruptcy finance plan almost exactly one month after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the company reported on Wednesday.