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.
SourcingAug 05, 2022
Rare Earth Mining Co.’s Bill Heher Dies at 72
The passionate gem lover helped bring more than 300 different varieties of stones to the gem trade.
Bill Heher, who founded Rare Earth Mining Company, died Aug. 1. He is pictured here outside the Aricanga Mine in Brazil, where he extracted the tourmaline-in-quartz specimen.
Trumbull, Conn.—William “Bill” Heher, founder of Rare Earth Mining Company and passionate gemstone lover, died Aug. 1 at the age of 72.
Though he started his career as a teacher, Heher eventually went into the world of gems and fossils, bringing interesting and unique pieces to the world through his company.
Heher had a “zest for the unexplored, rarely seen,” according to an online obituary. He started traveling in his 20s, venturing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro—which led to his introduction to gemstones—and visiting cities like Hong Kong; Idar-Oberstein, Germany; São Paolo, Brazil; and New Delhi, India.
Everywhere he went, he immersed himself in the culture and made lifelong friends, seamlessly combining business and pleasure throughout his career, his family said.
Heher opened Rare Earth Mining Co. in 1968; the company works with more than 300 materials and is always a popular booth during the Tucson gem shows.
Heher had an incredible passion for what he did.
An excerpt from a 2021 profile in AGTA’s Prism reads: “His love for his material was something I had never seen before. A few times, my father literally cried at the booth when a customer bought out his ‘My Best’ collection. It contained ‘The Volcano,’ ‘The Eye of the Leopard,’ and a few Munsteiner pieces he wanted to travel with and show to the world. To see them not with him anymore was a very emotional experience for him.”
He also opened and operated the Rare Earth Gallery in Redding, Connecticut, where he constructed a mine where kids could hunt for treasures and have birthday parties.
Though he started his career as a teacher, Heher eventually went into the world of gems and fossils, bringing interesting and unique pieces to the world through his company.
Heher had a “zest for the unexplored, rarely seen,” according to an online obituary. He started traveling in his 20s, venturing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro—which led to his introduction to gemstones—and visiting cities like Hong Kong; Idar-Oberstein, Germany; São Paolo, Brazil; and New Delhi, India.
Everywhere he went, he immersed himself in the culture and made lifelong friends, seamlessly combining business and pleasure throughout his career, his family said.
Heher opened Rare Earth Mining Co. in 1968; the company works with more than 300 materials and is always a popular booth during the Tucson gem shows.
Heher had an incredible passion for what he did.
An excerpt from a 2021 profile in AGTA’s Prism reads: “His love for his material was something I had never seen before. A few times, my father literally cried at the booth when a customer bought out his ‘My Best’ collection. It contained ‘The Volcano,’ ‘The Eye of the Leopard,’ and a few Munsteiner pieces he wanted to travel with and show to the world. To see them not with him anymore was a very emotional experience for him.”
He also opened and operated the Rare Earth Gallery in Redding, Connecticut, where he constructed a mine where kids could hunt for treasures and have birthday parties.
He was a supporter of experiential education, traveling to mine locations around the world to learn firsthand about gemstones, and loved that his sons share his passions for teaching, adventure, and stones. His son Will is a teacher, and his other son Curtis has taken the reign at Rare Earth.
Heher served on the board of the American Gem Trade Association, which he called one of his “crowning achievements,” according to the Prism profile.
He was known as a master storyteller with an infectious smile and a passion for life.
“Devoted to his family, the family gemstone business, to education and adventure, and to AGTA, Bill’s loss will be felt deeply,” AGTA said in its ePrism newsletter this week. “Our thoughts are with the Heher family.”
Billi was preceded in death by his brother, John H. Heher; mother, Marion Hoadley Heher; and father, John Sylvester Heher.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Lynn Manson Heher; son William Wallace Heher and his wife Julie Shattuck Heher; son Curtis Andrew Heher and his wife Kerry Jane Heher; and many grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 7 from 4-8 p.m. at the Starkweather House at the Nichols Improvement Association, 1773 Huntington Tpke., Trumbull, Connecticut.
His family said to come dressed comfortably to laugh, tell stories, and to celebrate the husband, father, and friend that he was.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to one of Heher’s passions—the Nichols Improvement Association or Trumbull Little League.
Heher served on the board of the American Gem Trade Association, which he called one of his “crowning achievements,” according to the Prism profile.
He was known as a master storyteller with an infectious smile and a passion for life.
“Devoted to his family, the family gemstone business, to education and adventure, and to AGTA, Bill’s loss will be felt deeply,” AGTA said in its ePrism newsletter this week. “Our thoughts are with the Heher family.”
Billi was preceded in death by his brother, John H. Heher; mother, Marion Hoadley Heher; and father, John Sylvester Heher.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Lynn Manson Heher; son William Wallace Heher and his wife Julie Shattuck Heher; son Curtis Andrew Heher and his wife Kerry Jane Heher; and many grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 7 from 4-8 p.m. at the Starkweather House at the Nichols Improvement Association, 1773 Huntington Tpke., Trumbull, Connecticut.
His family said to come dressed comfortably to laugh, tell stories, and to celebrate the husband, father, and friend that he was.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to one of Heher’s passions—the Nichols Improvement Association or Trumbull Little League.
More on Sourcing
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.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
