Tokyo claimed the title of the world's richest city in 2025 with a staggering $2.55 trillion GDP, slightly surpassing the New York–Newark–Jersey City area, which reported a GDP of $2.49 trillion. Following closely, Greater Los Angeles secured third place with $1.62 trillion. Together, these three urban powerhouses drive the global economy by commanding capital, innovation, and influence on an unparalleled scale.
Estate 98 Licor de Café Especial is a new, premium espresso spirit. It is crafted from 100% Arabica coffee grown on a single estate in El Salvador. This spirit is known for its strong coffee flavor, being low in sugar (less than 1g per serving), and having a high caffeine level, comparable to a shot of espresso.
The Le Gruyère AOP cheese made at the Vorderfultigen mountain cheese dairy has been named the 2025 World Champion Cheese.
Frederique Constant and Time+Tide have proudly collaborated to release the Highlife Moonphase Date Manufacture – Onyx Moon, a limited-edition watch of only 100 pieces that reinvents the celebrated Highlife collection. Embodying shared values of creativity and accessibility, this watch marks several "firsts" for the line, featuring an integrated Manufacture moon phase complication, a five-link integrated bracelet, and a completely index-free dial. The timepiece is designed to evoke a miniature nocturnal theater, capturing the theatricality and rich detail of a starry night.
Los Angeles-based wholesale jewelry supplier Americas Gold has released its 180-page "Gold Chain Catalog Volume 3," a resource designed to support retailers' inventory planning. The new catalog features updated and expanded offerings across 10-, 14-, 18-, and 22-karat gold chains, including popular categories like solid Miami Cuban, solid Franco, and rope chains, alongside new chain styles and earrings. The volume provides detailed product specifications, such as improved gauges, weight ranges, finishing details, clear approximate grams-per-inch indicators, and high-resolution visuals, allowing retailers to easily review and compare styles.
Starting January 1, 2026, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will expand its services by offering origin determination for three new gemstones: opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet. This addition complements the GIA's existing origin services for alexandrite, emerald, Paraíba tourmaline, red spinel, ruby, sapphire, and recently added untreated jadeite jade and omphacite jade from Myanmar and Guatemala. Alongside this expansion, the GIA will also debut redesigned reports for colored gemstones next year.
Pinterest has released its Pinterest Predicts 2026 Trend Report, identifying 21 growing trends expected to dominate the coming year, many of which are characterized by maximalist aesthetics and eccentric styles. According to the social media platform, trends are now growing 4.4 times faster than they did seven years ago. The report indicates that today's consumers are primarily focused on comfort, personal expression, and escapism, gravitating toward trends that reflect their current identity or aspirations.
Episode 153. How tariffs affect jewelry auctions. Christie's executive Max Fawcett argues on the Rapaport Diamond Podcast that pre-owned jewelry should be exempt from US import tariffs, stating there is no valid argument for applying duties to antique items with complex origins, even while new items may warrant protectionist duties. He notes that the reciprocal tariffs have caused some international consignments and American buyers at overseas auctions to avoid New York, leading Christie's to lobby the US government on this issue, which is critical since the US is a major market; Fawcett also discussed the overall softening prices for spectacular diamonds, citing the Mellon Blue's lower selling price, and emphasized the importance of a skilled auctioneer.
