Rio Grande Names New Marketing Director
Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

In the role, she will oversee all aspects of the wholesale provider’s marketing, including strategy, digital initiatives, lead generation, advertising, brand development, and content creation.
She will lead both the strategic and tactical direction of Rio Grande’s marketing efforts, the company said, with a focus on enhancing the website, expanding brand presence across key markets, and strengthening relationships with retail jewelers, manufacturers, artisans, and educators.
“Nicolette brings a fresh perspective and an impressive track record of driving innovation in highly regulated and customer-centric industries,” said Dennis Claspell, vice president of sales and marketing at Rio Grande.
“We’ve built a framework that combines creativity, efficiency, and reliability and ultimately leveraging the strength of our Richline network while staying close to our roots in U.S.-based manufacturing. Nicolette’s leadership will help us continue evolving to meet the changing needs of our customers.”
The role of marketing director is a new position for Rio Grande. Bianchi will report to Claspell and senior leadership.
Bianchi brings more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development to the role, having held key roles in financial services and government sectors.
Most recently, she worked in digital product development at Los Alamos National Laboratory, creating web applications to support the Department of Energy’s national security mission and internal communications.
Before that, she was director of marketing growth and acquisition at Nusenda Credit Union in New Mexico, where she helped expand market share across the state.
She has also contributed to strategic marketing at Thornburg Investment Management.
Bianchi holds a Master of Science in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media and a Bachelor of Arts in human communication from Arizona State University’s Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.
The Latest

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.


Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.

Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

The new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.

Production has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.

West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.

In the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.

Cohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.

“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.

The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.

It’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.

The deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.

After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.

Wiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.

The “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.

Set for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.

Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”

The highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.

The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.

Former Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.

The group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.

Movado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
























