SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
IndependentsJun 27, 2018
Becker’s Diamonds Fetes 40 Years
The Connecticut retailer has long given back to its community and is doing more of the same for its anniversary.
Paul Becker and his late wife, Risa, (both pictured at top) founded Becker’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry in West Hartford, Connecticut, 40 years ago.
West Hartford, Conn.—This year, Becker’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry celebrated 40 years in business and to mark the occasion, the company did what it usually does: help others in the community.
Husband and wife Paul and Risa Becker opened the business in West Hartford, Connecticut, in 1978 with the motto “Make it Perfect,” and have been serving generations of bridal customers ever since.
Along the way, the Beckers’ business became deeply embedded in the local community.
“My late wife, Risa, and I were always overwhelmed by the support our small business received from the West Hartford and Saybrook communities,” Paul Becker explained. “To show our gratitude, we dedicated ourselves to becoming active civic leaders, seeking out groups that would most benefit from our involvement and participation.”
Becker’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry donated time, money and merchandise to numerous charitable organizations over the years, including Make-A-Wish Connecticut, Nutmeg Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Greater Hartford Arts Council, Urban League of Greater Hartford, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Wadsworth Athenaeum, Nutmeg State Games, The Jewish Federation, The Jim and Pat Calhoun Cardiology Research Endowment Fund for UCONN Health Center, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Capital Community College Foundation.
They also hosted holiday coat drives through a partnership with local dry cleaning business French Cleaners.
Risa Becker died of ovarian cancer and a brain tumor in 2013. In the year of her passing, however, she still managed to organize a team to participate in the National Ovarian Cancer Run and Walk in East Hartford. “Team Becker” went on to raise over $10,000 to go toward research and patient care.
That same year, Risa’s son Scott Becker and his wife, Lori, accepted the Gladys and Warren Phinney Lifetime Volunteerism Award from Easterseals Capital Region & Eastern Connecticut on Risa’s behalf. She was a passionate supporter of Easterseals, which provides services and advocacy for people who are disabled.
This month, Becker’s Diamonds donated $5,000 to the organization.
“Risa was a determined, strong woman who inspired all of us in the business and more importantly through her charity work,” Paul Becker said. “She wanted us to persevere both personally and professionally. The best way for us to honor her memory is to continue to give back to the community as she did.”
Becker’s also hosted a 40th anniversary sale for customers from June 18 to 23, with shoppers at both of the store’s
locations--West Hartford and Old Saybrook--automatically entered to win one of two $5,000 shopping sprees.
The winners, who will be chosen at random, will be announced this week.
The winners, who will be chosen at random, will be announced this week.
More on Independents
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
