Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
Carolyn Kelly, Beloved Member of the Industry, Dies at 60
A native New Yorker who worked in jewelry for more than 40 years, Kelly passed away Tuesday following a battle with cancer.
New York—Carolyn Kelly, a beloved member of the industry for more than four decades, died Tuesday at her home in New York following a five-year battle with bile duct cancer. She was 60.
“Our industry lost one of its queens yesterday,” longtime friend Myriam Gumuchian said Wednesday. “Carolyn’s passion and knowledge for our jewelry world was unparalleled.”
Born Nov. 21, 1957 in New York, Kelly lived her entire life in the city. She grew up in Queens and then moved to Manhattan.
She started her career in 1974 as a divisional merchandise manager and buyer at Bloomingdale’s and remained with the retailer for 15 years, learning the business along the way.
Klein and Sybil Yurman used the word “brilliant” to describe Kelly and her merchandising abilities. Both also painted a picture of a woman who wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is but, at the same time, was a kind, loyal friend.
“She was truly brilliant, a very talented merchant with a great sense of humor,” Klein said. “She always saw the truth in everything.”
After Bloomingdale’s, Kelly spent one year at Mastoloni as director of “Gifts from the Sea” before taking a job as the divisional merchandise manager for fine jewelry at Saks Fifth Avenue, where she stayed from 1990 until 1999.
It was in the early ‘90s at Saks that she became a friend and colleague to Peter Webster, the president of Roberto Coin.
“She was one of the icons of the industry,” Webster said of Kelly when reached by phone Wednesday, “and a very loyal friend.”
She also served short stints at internet company Adornis and David Yurman, where she was vice president of merchandising from 2002 to 2003, and worked as a fine jewelry consultant for five years.
Sybil Yurman said Kelly continued to consult with David Yurman after leaving the company.
“She meant a lot to our family," Yurman said, referring to herself, husband David and son Evan. “She was always here in the family business for us.”
In 2006, Kelly and one of her sisters, Nancy Kelly, bought Old World Chain, with Carolyn explaining on her LinkedIn profile that, “After many years as a jewelry retailer and wholesaler, I wanted to be on my own.”
“I am blessed to have had [Carolyn] as my friend. She will be forever in my heart, which is very heavy right now,” Gumuchian said. “I will never forget our fun, crazy times together, whether at trade shows, 24 Karat (Club) events, or in my house with my family and friends. She surely knew how to enjoy life. I will miss her and her wisdom ... until we meet again!”
The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Hillebrand Funeral Home in Rego Park (Queens), New York. The funeral is set for Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to The Pancreas Center at Columbia University Medical Center.
Editor's note: This story was updated post-publication to include quotes from Sybil Yurman, Francine Klein and details on services for Carolyn Kelly.
The Latest

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.


JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.