PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
SourcingMar 08, 2019
Former Shinola President Heading Lab-Grown Diamond Co.
Jacques Panis is now CEO of start-up New World Diamonds.
Former Shinola president Jacques Panis is now heading New World Diamond, a lab-grown diamond company based in Troy, Michigan.
Troy, Mich.—Jacques Panis, former president of Detroit-based watch brand Shinola, has taken the reigns at New World Diamonds, a lab-grown diamond start-up.
His LinkedIn profile shows he started as New World Diamonds’ CEO in July. He brought along Chris Quezada, Shinola’s former digital art director, to fill the role of creative director.
New World Diamonds did not respond to request for comment Thursday, but Panis told Crain’s Detroit Business in an interview published Sunday that it wasn’t just his experience in the world of watches and jewelry that secured him the job with New World Diamonds, but also his “experience in building brands, marketing and driving the growth of a business."
Troy, Mich.-based Combine International Inc., a privately-held jewelry manufacturer started by Shrikant Mehta in the 1970s, is the parent company of New World Diamonds, and Mehta reached out to Panis to help establish the new company, Crain’s reported.
Combine also could not be reached for comment Thursday, but Michigan jeweler Randy Cole of the Diamond Vault of Troy has known Mehta for decades and told National Jeweler that he has always been “ahead of the curve,” so his move into lab-grown diamonds isn’t a surprise.
According to its website, New World Diamonds is catering to changing tastes as customers look for more cost-effective options; its site promises “minor price tag, major sparkle” and offers a price-match guarantee on any competitor’s diamond.
New World Diamonds also touts its lab-grown stones as an environmentally-friendly option, claiming to be both “ethical” and “conflict-free”.
The company’s mission statement is to “reshape” the way society thinks about diamonds, as well as when and how they should be given.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
