WHAT A LONG, STRANGE YEAR it’s been. 2020 included a pandemic, shutdowns, the loss of industry members, crime, and other unfortunate news. If you’re like us, you’ve tried to find joy where possible, but you’re looking forward to a much better 2021.
But before we ring in the New Year, we wanted to pause for a look back at the year’s biggest news. These are the 10 most-read stories of 2020. Click through for the full stories. (Note that there may have been further news developments that aren’t reflected here.)
The grocer said in May that it would shutter many of its Fred Meyer Jewelers stores throughout the U.S.
In the only uplifting story on our list, the singer in October showed off a ring from country music performer Blake Shelton.
The crime took place in a Whole Foods parking lot in Tampa in July; the victims were in town to meet with clients. Police described the stolen goods only as “various jewelry.”
The company cited ‘unforeseen business circumstances’ as it revealed plans in May to shut down a workshop in Fredericksburg, TX.
The crash of Meyer’s Cessna 310, which he was piloting, occurred in March near Charleston, SC. He was 64.
The robbery at Korman Fine Jewelers in Central Austin occurred in May.
Randy Flatau, who ran Randy’s Fine Jewelry in Beaumont for decades, died at age 70.
A Bangkok native who moved to New York and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Kobkulboonsiri was honored in a variety of trade competitions. She eventually taught at the institute.
In late May and early June, jewelry stores were among the businesses damaged as rioting and looting gripped cities across the U.S. Protests took place in dozens of cities following the death of George Floyd, an African American man who was being restrained by police in Minneapolis. In some cases the demonstrations escalated to vandalism, arson, looting and violence.
Two men dressed as police officers robbed Samaa K Jewelry on the Upper East Side in June. They claimed they were there to do an inspection in case looters showed up.