MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
IndependentsDec 11, 2019
Hyde Park Jewelers Will Have a New CEO
Chief Operating Officer Damon Gross steps into the head role as founder Michael Pollak pivots to non-executive chairman.
On Jan. 1, Damon Gross will take over as CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers and Michael Pollak will become non-executive chairman. Hyde Park has stores in Denver (pictured here), Phoenix and Newport Beach, California, and operates several mono-brand stores as well.
Denver—Hyde Park Jewelers founder Michael Pollak, who got his start selling turquoise on the lawn at the University of Denver, is taking a step back from the now multi-store chain he started in 1976.
Hyde Park Jewelers announced in a press release late last month that Pollak will step down as CEO on Jan. 1 and be replaced by Chief Operating Officer Damon Gross, who has been with the company since 2007. 
“It’s not a retirement in any sense of the word,” Pollak said in an interview with National Jeweler on Monday. “It’s … a pivot in terms of how I am going to spend my time.”
He will step into more of a supporting role for Gross and the rest of the Hyde Park team in order to focus on “passion projects,” both personal and professional.
One of those is a bridal boutique called Engage.
Engage targets Gen X and Gen Y (and, soon, Gen Z) consumers with a technology- and custom design- driven model. There is currently one Engage by Hyde Park store, and it’s connected to the jeweler’s Denver location.
Another is the Gioielli Group, the East Coast-based jewelry company that distributes Italian brands Pesavento and Alessandra Donà in the United States.
Currently, the company has three Hyde Park Jewelers stores—in Denver, Phoenix and Newport Beach, California.
(The company bought longstanding Newport Beach independent Traditional Jewelers in 2012 and changed the store’s name to Hyde Park last year.)
The company also operates two Rolex, two Breitling, one Hublot, one IWC and one Roberto Coin boutique, as well as Engage.
Pollak said the company is slated to open a third Rolex store, in Scottsdale, Arizona, in the third quarter of 2020.
The Roberto Coin boutique will become an Omega store in the first quarter, and the Hyde Park Jewelers store will move to Scottsdale after 20 years in Phoenix. 
X and millennial engagement ring shoppers, with a focus on technology and customization.
Pollak said as part of his pivot from CEO to non-executive chairman, he will be less visible in the industry.
He’s already told his company’s brand partners they can expect to see him at fewer trade shows and industry dinners going forward.
In addition to his professional passion projects, Engage and the Gioielli Group, Pollak said he wants to focus on philanthropic endeavors, including his work with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which is slated to open the Museum of Tolerance in the center of Jerusalem next year.
He’s already told his company’s brand partners they can expect to see him at fewer trade shows and industry dinners going forward.
In addition to his professional passion projects, Engage and the Gioielli Group, Pollak said he wants to focus on philanthropic endeavors, including his work with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which is slated to open the Museum of Tolerance in the center of Jerusalem next year.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
