MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
IndependentsSep 21, 2017
Pam Mortensen Elected JFC Board Chair
She will officially begin her new role Oct. 1, alongside Jewelers for Children’s other new board members.
J.C. Penney jewelry executive Pamela Mortensen has been elected chairman of the board of Jewelers for Children.
New York--Jewelers for Children has announced changes to its board of directors, with new members beginning Oct. 1.
Pamela Mortensen, J.C. Penney’s senior vice president and general merchandise manager for fine and fashion jewelry and watches, will serve as chairman of the board. She succeeds Dennis Ulrich of the Richline Group, who was in the role for a two-year term and will continue to participate on the board as immediate past chair.
“I am thrilled to be elected as the chair of Jewelers for Children,” said Mortensen. “As a mother, I can’t think of anything more important than the work our industry does in helping children in need, and I’m honored to serve.”
Other officers elected at the annual board of directors meeting in Las Vegas in June include: Debra Puzio of Starluxe LLC, vice-president for fundraising; John White of Fossil Group, vice president for special programs; Jeffrey Cohen of Citizen Watch America, vice president for charity programs; Howard Hauben of H2 Events/Centurion Jewelry Show, vice president for marketing and public relations; Alan Zimmer of Reeds Jewelers, treasurer; and Sebastian Hobbs of Signet Jewelers Ltd., secretary.
Additionally, 12 new directors were elected to three-year terms and six directors were re-elected to second three-year terms.
The 12 new directors are: Debbie Azar of Gemological Science International; Chad Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry; Katherine Bodoh of American Gem Society; Jack Gabriel of Gabriel & Co.; Mark Goldberg of Rolex Watch USA; Kari Gray-Hoff of Blue Nile; Steven Kaiser of Kaiser Time; Sally Morrison, previously of Gemfields; Birain Parikh of Rosy Blue; Matthew Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box; Steven Vardi of Vardi Company; and Steven Velasquez of Madison Jewelers.
The six re-elected directors are: Benny Hematian of B.H. Multi Corp/Effy Group; Ezriel Rapaport of Rapaport; Ashok Kumar Sancheti of Pioneer Gems; Elliot Tannenbaum of Leo Schachter Diamonds; Rhonda Violet of Assurant; and Eric Zuckerman of Pac Team Group.
The nine directors who concluded their terms on the board are: former AGS and AGS Labs CEO Ruth Batson; Jim DeMattei of Viewpoint Sales and Marketing; Ellen Fruchtman of Fruchtman Marketing; Harvey Kanter of Blue Nile; Joel Schechter of Honora; Hank Siegel of Hamilton Jewelers; Laura Stanley of Laura Stanley Personal Jeweler; Stewart Wicht of Rolex Watch USA; and Ulrich Wohn.
“We are fortunate to have so many talented individuals serving on the board and we greatly thank them for their service to the charity,” said Mortensen.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
Events & AwardsSep 08, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
