FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
IndependentsSep 07, 2021
Alex Šepkus, a Celebrated Talent in Jewelry Design, Has Died
A native of Lithuania, Šepkus is remembered as a true artist and a kind man.
Celebrated jewelry designer Alex Sepkus, seen here with one of the many unique pieces of jewelry he created, died on Sunday. His eponymous company announced his death via social media. (Photo courtesy of the Alex Sepkus Facebook page)
New York—Alex Šepkus, a true artist in the field of jewelry design, died over the weekend, his team announced via social media.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Alex Šepkus on Sunday, September 5, 2021,” reads a post on the designer’s official Instagram and Facebook accounts.
“An internationally celebrated artist, he was revered by the members of his team, many of whom had worked alongside him for decades. Further details on funeral arrangements will follow in the coming days.”
Šepkus was born in Lithuania in 1954 and was “extraordinarily proud of his heritage,” retaining strong personal and professional ties to the Lithuanian community throughout his life alongside his wife, Dangė.
He immigrated to the United States in 1988 and, like a number of well-known designers, launched his eponymous collection at the New Designer Gallery at the JA New York Show in 1993.
He later came to exhibit at Couture, with the team behind the show remembering the designer on its Instagram page as a “profoundly talented artist and a long-standing pillar of the COUTURE community.”
Šepkus also was a man of faith and was a founding member of the Sleepy Hollow Schola Cantorum in Westchester, New York.
News of Šepkus’ passing came as a shock to the jewelry industry, which has lost dozens of people to COVID-19 over the past 18 months and grappled with the recent deaths of other beloved designers, including Elsa Peretti, Jose Hess, Alex Woo and Holly Dyment.
Hundreds of people commented on the post on the official Alex Šepkus Instagram page, expressing their condolences for the late designer’s family and team, and remarking on Šepkus’ incredible talent.
“We are so shocked and saddened to hear this news,” retailer Fox’s Seattle wrote. “Alex has been surprising, delighting, and amusing us with his incredible jewelry for nearly 30 years. He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be sorely missed.”
Engagement 101 Editor-in-Chief Severine Ferrari remarked, “Artists leave us with magical things and experiences that [endure] for so much longer than their earthly presence. He will not be forgotten.”
Later this week, National Jeweler will run a longer article remembering Šepkus and sharing additional details about his passing.
If you have memories of the designer and his work you would like to share, contact michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
