CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsJun 27, 2022
George Holmes, Longtime Head Editor of JCK Magazine, Dies at 93
He first took a job at then Philadelphia-based Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone in 1963 and retired in 1996.
Outside of work, longtime JCK magazine Editor-in-Chief George Holmes loved to hike and visited America’s and Canada’s national parks many times alongside his wife of 51 years, Deborah. Holmes died June 20 at 93.
Downingtown, Pa.—George Holmes, the longtime editor-in-chief of JCK magazine who guided the publication’s award-winning coverage, died June 20.
He was 93.
Holmes was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1928.
The youngest of three boys, Holmes lost his father, a captain in the British Army during World War I who was exposed to chemical warfare, to pneumonia before he was born.
He and his brothers were granted the right to be educated at a school for children of families with limited means, and the headmaster worked to ensure Holmes got into Trinity College Dublin.
He majored in modern languages there, graduating in 1950.
He was committed to becoming a journalist, and finally got his break when he landed a job as a reporter covering a quiet Sunday beat at The Irish Times.
In 1954, Holmes was one of only two overseas journalists to win a fellowship in journalism from the University of Michigan and spent the second year of his fellowship writing for three Michigan newspapers.
He eventually returned to Europe to work at The Manchester Guardian before returning to North America and working for the Detroit Times, The Globe and Mail in Toronto, and The Wall Street Journal.
Feeling like a “cog in the wheel” at these large newspapers, Holmes took a job with a smaller publication in 1963—a trade magazine covering the jewelry industry that was then based in Philadelphia and called Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone.
He rose to the rank of managing editor but left in 1968 to start a Philadelphia-focused business weekly.
In 1974, the publication lured back Holmes and his friend Charles Bond as editor and publisher, respectively. His wife, Deborah Holmes, whom he married in 1971, was already working as the magazine’s masthead editor; she eventually became its managing editor.
Holmes remained at JCK until his retirement in 1996, tackling the important issues facing jewelers, including soaring gold and diamond prices in the late 1970s and early ‘80s and sky-high crime rates, while also making a significant contribution to service journalism by providing useful advice for working jewelers.
During his tenure, the magazine won 16 Neal Awards from the American Business Press, and Holmes won a Crain Award for distinguished editorial achievement.
He also was a member of the group that launched the JCK show in Las Vegas in 1991.
Outside of work, Holmes and his wife loved to read, garden, and hike. They visited their favorite national parks, including Banff and Yoho in Canada, Acadia in Maine, and Saguaro and Chiricahua in Arizona, many times.
Holmes is survived by his wife, Deborah.
There will not be a public funeral, but a memorial gathering is planned.
Those wishing to make a contribution in his memory can do so to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, or the Chester County Food Bank.
He was 93.
Holmes was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1928.
The youngest of three boys, Holmes lost his father, a captain in the British Army during World War I who was exposed to chemical warfare, to pneumonia before he was born.
He and his brothers were granted the right to be educated at a school for children of families with limited means, and the headmaster worked to ensure Holmes got into Trinity College Dublin.
He majored in modern languages there, graduating in 1950.
He was committed to becoming a journalist, and finally got his break when he landed a job as a reporter covering a quiet Sunday beat at The Irish Times.
In 1954, Holmes was one of only two overseas journalists to win a fellowship in journalism from the University of Michigan and spent the second year of his fellowship writing for three Michigan newspapers.
He eventually returned to Europe to work at The Manchester Guardian before returning to North America and working for the Detroit Times, The Globe and Mail in Toronto, and The Wall Street Journal.
Feeling like a “cog in the wheel” at these large newspapers, Holmes took a job with a smaller publication in 1963—a trade magazine covering the jewelry industry that was then based in Philadelphia and called Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone.
He rose to the rank of managing editor but left in 1968 to start a Philadelphia-focused business weekly.
In 1974, the publication lured back Holmes and his friend Charles Bond as editor and publisher, respectively. His wife, Deborah Holmes, whom he married in 1971, was already working as the magazine’s masthead editor; she eventually became its managing editor.
Holmes remained at JCK until his retirement in 1996, tackling the important issues facing jewelers, including soaring gold and diamond prices in the late 1970s and early ‘80s and sky-high crime rates, while also making a significant contribution to service journalism by providing useful advice for working jewelers.
During his tenure, the magazine won 16 Neal Awards from the American Business Press, and Holmes won a Crain Award for distinguished editorial achievement.
He also was a member of the group that launched the JCK show in Las Vegas in 1991.
Outside of work, Holmes and his wife loved to read, garden, and hike. They visited their favorite national parks, including Banff and Yoho in Canada, Acadia in Maine, and Saguaro and Chiricahua in Arizona, many times.
Holmes is survived by his wife, Deborah.
There will not be a public funeral, but a memorial gathering is planned.
Those wishing to make a contribution in his memory can do so to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, or the Chester County Food Bank.
More on Majors
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 11, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
