AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
IndependentsAug 04, 2016
Fund Launched for Maryland Store Damaged in Flood
Craig Coyne Jewelers was one of the Ellicott City, Md. businesses severely damaged when six inches of rain fell in two hours and caused a flash flood Saturday.
“The response is nothing short of amazing,” Craig Coyne Jewelers founder Sam Coyne said of his local community after a flash flood destroyed many downtown businesses. In addition to his state and local governments “aggressively taking action,” an industry friend is helping to raise funds to repair his flooded store.
Ellicott City, Md.--The community is coming together to help a Maryland jeweler whose store was severely damaged in a recent flash flood.
On Saturday, six inches of rain fell in just two hours in Ellicott City to create what the National Weather Service called an “off-the-charts” event--a flash flood that resulted in two deaths, many demolished businesses and about 120 swift-water rescues.
One of those businesses was Craig Coyne Jewelers on Main Street in downtown Ellicott City. Now, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise funds to help the business get back on its feet.
Lori Gadola from Kelim Jewelry Design is the one who started the fund. She met founder Sam Coyne when the store started carrying her line.
On the GoFundMe page she wrote, “(Sam) has been very generous to various community causes that involve health, hunger, education and domestic violence issues. I feel it is time the community gives back to help him during this very tough time.”
The jewelry store opened in 2000 but had just moved into its location on Main Street in 2013. Before moving in, the entire space was remodeled, a project that took six months to complete and $50,000 to finish the interior.
Now, just a few years later, all of that work has been undone.
Coyne told National Jeweler that he was able to get into the store on Wednesday for the first time since the flood for just 10 minutes to assess the damage.
“I don’t believe anything will be salvageable,” he said.
There’s a tree pinned to the front door inside that was forced over the back deck and through the back door into the store, silt that is “feet thick,” water marks that reach the ceiling and a buckled floor on the second level due to the force of the water, among other things.
According to Coyne, his biggest concern is how long it will take to get the business up and running again. Local officials currently are working on a plan, but there’s no telling how long it could be--months and years both are being thrown around, he added.
More immediately he is concerned about serving customers, which he can’t do until he gets into the vault. Though it’s intact and standing, with all customer jewelry secure inside, it can’t be opened. It requires two keys and a combination, but the keys washed away in the storm.
Another issue that has come up is that of data.
On the morning before the flood, the store’s server was taken to the first floor to cool down during the heat wave. The back-up hard-drive also was brought to the store and connected to conduct a back-up before opening Sunday, so it was lost in the flood as well.
Though they have a second drive off-premises, the team still will have to rebuild at least seven months of business, Coyne said.
When asked what the funds might be used for, Coyne said that it “really depends on timing.”
If they’re given access to the store soon, it will go toward clean up, freshening up and mold removal. If not, it could help pay the mortgage or the insurance deductible.
Meanwhile, businesses around the jeweler are being demolished. Coyne said that many of the small shops around him already were having trouble competing with e-commerce and he’s not sure how many of them will reopen now.
On the morning before the flood, the store’s server was taken to the first floor to cool down during the heat wave. The back-up hard-drive also was brought to the store and connected to conduct a back-up before opening Sunday, so it was lost in the flood as well.
Though they have a second drive off-premises, the team still will have to rebuild at least seven months of business, Coyne said.
When asked what the funds might be used for, Coyne said that it “really depends on timing.”
If they’re given access to the store soon, it will go toward clean up, freshening up and mold removal. If not, it could help pay the mortgage or the insurance deductible.
Meanwhile, businesses around the jeweler are being demolished. Coyne said that many of the small shops around him already were having trouble competing with e-commerce and he’s not sure how many of them will reopen now.
More on Independents
The Latest
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
Brought to you by
Are Earrings an Overlooked Category? What Retailers Need to Know NowAs the holiday season quickly approaches, consider stocking one category that sometimes gets overlooked: earrings.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
WatchesOct 23, 2025
‘Million Dollar Hip Hop Watches’ Recounts Watch HistoryThe book details the journey of watches as symbols of hard-earned success in hip-hop for artists like 2Pac, Jay-Z, and more.
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & WatchesAlexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds EditionThe superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the HolidaysRetailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New OwnerRecently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink DiamondThe stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive FlagshipHollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First FlagshipThe New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink DiamondMaking its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
2 Mozambique Police Officers Killed at Gemfields’ Ruby MineThey were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.
CrimeOct 20, 2025
See the ‘Priceless’ Jewels Stolen During Daytime Heist at the Louvre It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
Pristine Gems Names New Director of European SalesGemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
