Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
Events & AwardsOct 05, 2018
Jewelers for Children to Honor David Bonaparte, Judy Fisher
The pair will be recognized at the 2019 Facets of Hope event, scheduled for Sunday, June 2.
Jewelers of America President and CEO David Bonaparte and Reeds Jewelers Senior Vice President of Merchandising Judy Fisher will be honored at the 2019 Jewelers for Children Facets of Hope event in Las Vegas.
New York—Jewelers for Children announced it will honor Jewelers of America’s David Bonaparte and Reeds Jewelers’ Judy Fisher at the 2019 Facets of Hope event in Las Vegas.
The 21st annual edition of the event is scheduled for Sunday, June 2, at the Venetian Las Vegas. (Facets of Hope has relocated to the north end of the Strip, coinciding with JCK Las Vegas’ return to the Sands Expo).
The gala will celebrate JFC’s fundraising efforts for the year and announce the commitments to its charity partners. As the evening’s honorees, Bonaparte and Fisher will assist JFC in raising additional funds during the event.
David Bonaparte was appointed president and CEO of Jewelers of America in 2013.
He spearheads JA’s legislative advocacy in D.C., often representing the jewelry industry in key meetings with Congressional leaders, the Federal Trade Commission and other industry stakeholders.
JA’s advocacy was vital in the effort to overturn the 1992 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Quill Corp. vs. North Dakota, which barred states from collecting sales tax from sellers that don’t have a physical presence in the state. The ruling was overturned in June, paving the way for states to collect sales tax from online sellers.
Bonaparte also has led JA through several successful strategic partnerships.
In 2015, JA acquired National Jeweler, and in 2017, the association completed a strategic affiliation with the Diamond Council of America to enhance the member benefits of both by providing quality education to the industry.
Prior to his appointment at JA, Bonaparte served as senior vice president for JCK brands and the global leader for the jewelry portfolio at Reed Exhibitions.
Bonaparte also is involved in a number of jewelry industry organizations, including serving as treasurer of the U.S. Jewelry Council and sitting on the board for the Jewelers Security Alliance.
He is a member of the Women’s Jewelry Association and the 24 Karat Club of New York and Southern California. He received the Jewelers Security Alliance Industry Service Award in 2009 and the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association in 2014.
Judy Fisher is the senior vice president of merchandising for Reeds Jewelers in Wilmington, North Carolina, a role she just moved into in January.
Fisher began her career in the jewelry industry in 1979 as a sales associate and buyer for an independent jeweler. During this time, she acquired her Graduate Gemologist certification from the Gemological
Institute of America and became a Certified Gemologist Appraiser.
She transitioned to the majors in 1996, taking a buying role with Service Merchandise and eventually getting promoted to merchant director of bridal and solitaries. The company recognized her as Merchant of the Year in 2000.
In 2001, Fisher moved to Whitehall Jewelers and managed the diamond portion of the business, eventually taking on the role of vice president of merchandising.
She joined Signet Jewelers in 2008 as director of diamond fashion and rings for the mall brands.
Two years later, she was promoted to merchandising director for Jared the Galleria of Jewelry stores, then to divisional vice president of merchandising for the mall stores in 2012, corporate vice president of the mall and Jared brand stores in 2013 and, finally, senior vice president of merchandising in 2015.
In July 2017, she was honored with the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Award for Excellence in the category of Large-Scale Retail.
“Dave and Judy truly represent the finest of our industry,” JFC Board Chair Pamela Mortensen said. “We are fortunate to have them both serving as honorees and assisting us in raising funds to help the children who need it the most.”
The Facets of Hope event will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner and the program at 7:30 p.m. Those interested in attending or sponsoring can contact JFC at 212-687-2949 or info@jewelersforchildren.org, or visit the website at JewelersforChildren.org.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, which purchased the publication in 2015.
She transitioned to the majors in 1996, taking a buying role with Service Merchandise and eventually getting promoted to merchant director of bridal and solitaries. The company recognized her as Merchant of the Year in 2000.
In 2001, Fisher moved to Whitehall Jewelers and managed the diamond portion of the business, eventually taking on the role of vice president of merchandising.
She joined Signet Jewelers in 2008 as director of diamond fashion and rings for the mall brands.
Two years later, she was promoted to merchandising director for Jared the Galleria of Jewelry stores, then to divisional vice president of merchandising for the mall stores in 2012, corporate vice president of the mall and Jared brand stores in 2013 and, finally, senior vice president of merchandising in 2015.
In July 2017, she was honored with the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Award for Excellence in the category of Large-Scale Retail.
“Dave and Judy truly represent the finest of our industry,” JFC Board Chair Pamela Mortensen said. “We are fortunate to have them both serving as honorees and assisting us in raising funds to help the children who need it the most.”
The Facets of Hope event will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner and the program at 7:30 p.m. Those interested in attending or sponsoring can contact JFC at 212-687-2949 or info@jewelersforchildren.org, or visit the website at JewelersforChildren.org.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, which purchased the publication in 2015.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 13, 2026
JFC Announces New BeneficiariesThe nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
