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.

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

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

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

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.

London—The Diamond Trading Co. (DTC) is releasing a "special allocation" of co-op marketing funds to help boost U.S. holiday sales of diamond jewelry for a select group of sightholders.

New York—A number of industry organizations have filed a statement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) objecting to the FTC's proposal to broaden the definition of the word "platinum."

Washington, D.C.—E-commerce experts will discuss and review the effectiveness of existing Web sites during "Critic's Corner" sessions at Shop.org's Annual Summit, to be held from Sept. 15-17, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Ramat Gan, Israel—The Israeli diamond industry is targeting Hong Kong this fall, with more than 50 Israeli diamond manufacturers and exporters set to take part in the Hong Kong Jewellery and Watch Fair.

Weehawken, N.J.—Longines has teamed up with The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation to create a scholarship promoting higher education.