AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite CyberattackThough its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
Events & AwardsJul 26, 2016
WJA Awards for Excellence Winners Honored in NYC
The Women’s Jewelry Association recognized the recipients last night at its annual gala in New York.
New York--Members of the jewelry industry headed to the Hammerstein Ballroom Monday night for the Women’s Jewelry Association’s annual Awards for Excellence gala.
Winners of 10 awards across eight categories were announced live at the event, while the three previously announced Hall of Fame honorees also took the stage to accept their awards.
Claudia Kretchmer won in the Design, Fine Jewelry and Watches category for her work at Steven Kretchmer, the company started by her late stepfather who, she noted at Monday’s awards, would have celebrated his birthday on Monday.
Tiffany Kay, daughter of the late Scott Kay, won in the Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier category. Her acceptance speech echoed the sentiments of many of the night’s winners and honorees: “I’ve grown up in this industry. You’ve all become my family,” she said.
The Retail category was split into three separate awards.
Winning for Retail, 15 Doors or More was Saks Fifth Avenue’s Marta Nowakowski.
Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia Gambale, meanwhile, took home the award for Retail, 15 Doors or Fewer.
The sisters thanked their parents, who were in attendance.
“Any excellence we exhibit is a direct testament to their hard work, their support, their direction and their love,” said Jennifer Gandia.
Kris Kulesza of Jewelry Television won in the Retail, Non-Traditional category while the Sales and Merchandising award went to Stuller’s Maren Rosen.
“I have to thank my background in the fashion industry in New York City,” said Rosen as she accepted her award. “When I walked into my very first interview and had a boardroom full of men laugh at me, I took that as the most motivating tool to conquer my dreams.”
To many laughs, Jen Cullen Williams admitted that winning the Communications and Marketing Award fulfilled her childhood fantasy of winning an Oscar, so she rightfully thanked “the academy.”
Syl Tang won in the Editorial Media category while Dona Mary Dirlam of the Gemological Institute of America took home the award for Special Services and Michelle Peranteau of Baume and Mercier won in the Watches category.
Also at the event, the WJA recognized this year’s three Hall of Fame honorees.
Bill Jones of Sissy’s Log Cabin was on hand to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of his mother, the industry legend simply known as Sissy.
Sissy Jones is battling breast cancer and could not attend the awards but she did record a message thanking the WJA for all it
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
does, and Bill Jones vowed that his mother would be at the Awards for Excellence next year to thank everybody in person.
Ben Bridge Jeweler won the WJA Corporate Award and Peter Engel, the president of Fred Meyer Jewelers, was the recipient of the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ben Bridge Jeweler won the WJA Corporate Award and Peter Engel, the president of Fred Meyer Jewelers, was the recipient of the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Sotheby’s Withdraws 101-Carat Yellow Diamond from AuctionDespite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
ColumnistsMay 16, 2024
The PR Adviser: What the Designer Should’ve DoneLilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
SourcingMay 16, 2024
Lucapa to Shed Stake in Lesotho Diamond Mine The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
ColumnistsMay 15, 2024
Squirrel Spotting: Why Retailers Struggle to Fire BrandsWhy do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
AuctionsMay 15, 2024
Red Diamond Breaks Records at Phillips GenevaThe “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
Brought to you by
From Registration to Return: 10 Tips to Protect You Before, During and After a TradeshowTradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
IndependentsMay 15, 2024
David Mann Jewelers in Upstate NY to Close After 35 YearsOwner David Mann is heading into retirement.
FinancialsMay 15, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Sales Fall Flat in Q1 While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
SourcingMay 14, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
AuctionsMay 14, 2024
2 Huge Yellow Diamonds Are Heading to AuctionChristie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
MajorsMay 14, 2024
Platinum Born Taps ‘Born Leaders’ for New CampaignThe ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
GradingMay 14, 2024
Instappraise Adds Trifold Brochure to Appraisal OfferingsRetailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Madeleine Albright’s Jewelry, Pins a White-Glove Sale at Freeman’s | HindmanThe late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
IndependentsMay 13, 2024
Zachary’s Jewelers Names Mother’s Day Jewelry Contest WinnersThree fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Pays $130M for Roberto Coin Inc.The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
TrendsMay 09, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shine Bright, Moms Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
IndependentsMay 09, 2024
Kyle Edward Fine Jewelry to Close Salisbury StoreThe company’s Easton location will remain open.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
JBT Elects New ChairmanBrian D. Fleming of Carla Corporation was elected to serve a one-year term in the role.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2024
Fusing Past and Present at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
EditorsMay 07, 2024
Q&A: Author Vikki Tobak on the ‘Ice-Cold’ ExhibitionTobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
EditorsMay 07, 2024
10 On-Theme Looks from the 2024 Met GalaStars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
