CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
IndependentsApr 10, 2019
2019 Retailer Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
David and Julia Gardner, Cathy Calhoun, and Steve and Judy Padis comprise this year’s class.
The 2019 inductees into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame are (from left to right): Julia and David Gardner of David Gardner’s Jewelers & Gemologists, Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers, and Judy and Steve Padis of Padis Jewelry.
New York—National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame is back for another year, but this time around the categories have changed.
The publication first introduced the Retailer Hall of Fame in 1989 to recognize jewelers who have made significant contributions to jewelry retailing and inspired their peers.
Each year between 1989 and 2012, National Jeweler inducted retailers in three categories: single-store independent, multi-store independent and major corporations.
After a brief hiatus, the Hall returned in 2017 with a fresh set of winners.
This year, however, National Jeweler has opted to switch it up a bit, honoring two single-store independent jewelers along with one multi-store independent.
For 2019, the inductees are as follows:
Single-Store Independent: Cathy Calhoun of Calhoun Jewelers in Royersford, Pennsylvania;
Single-Store Independent: David and Julia Gardner of David Gardner’s Jewelers & Gemologists in College Station, Texas; and
Multi-Store Independent: Steve and Judy Padis of Padis Jewelry in the San Francisco area.
Cathy Calhoun’s eponymous jewelry store is located about 30 miles outside of Philadelphia in a fully renovated bank. Her store and home, also a renovated bank, have both landed her features on HGTV’s “If Walls Could Talk” and “You Live in What,” as well as, more recently, an appearance in Netflix’s “Amazing Interiors.”)
She is a past president of the American Gem Society (2010 to 2012), and the organization awarded her with the first Sallie Morton Guild Award in 2014 and its Robert M. Shipley Award in 2017.
She also was named the Pennsylvania Jeweler of the Year in 2009 by the Pennsylvania Jewelers Association.
Calhoun serves on the board of directors for Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company, Jewelers for Children, the Diamond Empowerment Fund and Jewelers of America.
David Gardner began his jewelry career more than 47 years ago sweeping the floors at a local Zales store and later discovered his passion for design while working for a jeweler in Salado, Texas.
Over the years, his wife, Julia Gardner, has helped shape his design philosophy of beauty, value and wearability.
The two opened David Gardner’s Jewelers in the fall of 1983. Their designs have been worn by high-profile people such as Former First Lady Barbara Bush, Former “Good Morning America” co-host Joan Lunden and current “Good Morning America” anchor Amy Robach.
The Gardners also are active in their community, engaging in more than 400 partnerships big and small to help various organizations raise money and serving on numerous boards and in various organizations
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
both inside the industry and out.
The store itself has won numerous awards, including the Lifetime Business Achievement Award from the Bryan Rotary Club, and has been voted Best in Jewelry by the Brazos Valley community for 17 years.
Steve Padis began his career as a jeweler while at the University of California, Berkeley by stringing beads and selling them on Telegraph Avenue.
By the time he graduated in the early 1970s, he had met his future wife, Judy Padis—from whom he had purchased findings—and had branched out into sterling silver, turquoise jewelry and gold chains.
Padis Jewelry opened in 1974, specializing in loose certified diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry.
Over the year, the business has grown to three showrooms in San Francisco and a fourth store in St. Helena, California, with a fifth location, a Forevermark store, in the works.
It currently is operated by Steve, Judy and their daughter, Alexis.
The store itself has won numerous awards, including the Lifetime Business Achievement Award from the Bryan Rotary Club, and has been voted Best in Jewelry by the Brazos Valley community for 17 years.
Steve Padis began his career as a jeweler while at the University of California, Berkeley by stringing beads and selling them on Telegraph Avenue.
By the time he graduated in the early 1970s, he had met his future wife, Judy Padis—from whom he had purchased findings—and had branched out into sterling silver, turquoise jewelry and gold chains.
Padis Jewelry opened in 1974, specializing in loose certified diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry.
Over the year, the business has grown to three showrooms in San Francisco and a fourth store in St. Helena, California, with a fifth location, a Forevermark store, in the works.
It currently is operated by Steve, Judy and their daughter, Alexis.
More on Independents
The Latest
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
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.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
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.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
