Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
WJA Announces Awards for Excellence Nominees
The Women’s Jewelry Association has released the list of nominees for its annual awards, which will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom this year.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association has released its list of nominees for their annual “Awards for Excellence.”
Awards will be given out across eight categories, including design, manufacturing, retail, (which is split into three sub-categories), sales, marketing, editorial, special services and watches. Three to five nominees were chosen in each category or sub-category.
“Each nominee exemplifies the great power, incredible work ethic, intellect and talent of women throughout the jewelry and watch industries,” said Brandee Dallow, president of the Women’s Jewelry Association. “These women are the leaders, mentors and influencers that will propel our business into the future.”
Awards will also be given to three WJA Hall of Fame honorees: a WJA Lifetime Achievement Award to Sissy Jones, owner of Sissy’s Log Cabin; a Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award to Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers’ and a WJA Corporate Award to Ben Bridge Jeweler.
The awards will also provide an opportunity to raise funds, via a silent auction and raffle, for the WJA Foundation, which gives scholarships and grants to women in the jewelry industry. Last year, the WJA raised a total of $60,000 at its gala.
WJA members and industry professionals voted online to nominate industry members for the awards during the month of January. A panel of past winners selected the final nominees, and will choose the winner of each category, to be announced at the Awards for Excellence gala on Monday, July 25.
This year, the gala will take place at the Hammerstein Ballroom on 34th Street, in close proximity to the JA New York trade show, which will be held at the Javits Convention Center.
See below for a full list of nominees.
Category 1 - Design, Fine Jewelry and Watches:
Malak Atut, owner/designer, Zaiken Jewelry
Wendy Brandes, owner/president, Wendy Brandes Jewelry
Jennifer Dawes, principal/designer, Jennifer Dawes Design
Claudia Kretchmer, president, Steven Kretchmer
Ilaria Lonzoni, design director, Hearts On Fire
Category 2 - Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier:
Nina Cooper, chief creative officer and president, Nina Designs Ltd.
Donna DeLucia, chief commercial officer, North America, Intercontinental Jewellery Manufacturing, PCL (Thailand)
Tiffany Kay of Tiffany Kay (nominated for her work as former vice president of merchandising, Scott Kay)
Grace Terezian, vice president and creative director, Kirk Kara
Category 3A - Retail, 15 or More Doors:
Jacqueline Cassaway, divisional vice president, Helzberg Diamonds
Marta Nowakowski, VP divisional merchandise manager, Jewelry, Watches and Home, Saks Fifth Avenue
Toby Ritchie, marketing director, Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers
Jamie Singleton, senior vice president, Signet Jewelers
Category 3B -
Soraya Cayen, CEO, Cayen Collection
Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia Gambale, co-owners, Greenwich St. Jewelers
Alexis Padis, director of operations, Padis Jewelry
Trish Roberson, owner, Roberson’s Fine Jewelry
Category 3C - Retail, Non Traditional:
Ivka Adam, founder & CEO, Iconery
Kate Fordham, operations manager, Ritani
Beth Gerstein, co-CEO/founder, Brilliant Earth
Kris Kulesza, senior vice president merchandising, Jewelry Television
Category 4 - Sales and Merchandising:
Ramona Genao-Archibald, executive vice president, sales and merchandising, Richline Group
Rachel Jackson, jewelry director, The Knot
Maren Rosen, vice president, merchandising, Stuller Inc.
Nikki Siegel, executive vice president, Armenta
Category 5 - Marketing and Communications:
Ashley Brown, executive director, marketing and public relations, Stuller Inc.
Jen Cullen Williams, managing director, Luxury Brand Group
Hayley Henning, vice president, sales, marketing, and development, True North Gems
Donna Jolly, director, marketing, American Gem Society
Category 6 - Editorial Media:
Shane Clark, senior fashion & accessories editor, Brides
Hannah Connorton, retailer account manager, Luxury & Luxury Prive, Reed Exhibitions (nominated for her work as former senior editor at National Jeweler)
Barbara Palumbo, founder/editor-in-chief, Adornmentality
Syl Tang, contributor, Financial Times Watches & Jewellery, CEO, HipGuide
Category 7 - Special Services:
Dona Mary Dirlam, director of RTL Library and Information Center, Gemological Institute of America Debbie Hiss, owner, Debbie Hiss Consulting
Kristie Nicolosi, president & CEO, The Kingswood Company
Kate Peterson, president/CEO, Performance Concepts, Inc.
Category 8 - Watches:
Stacie Orloff, former president, Bell & Ross, the Americas
Michelle Peranteau, former director of marketing and communication, Baume et Mercier
Ellen Seckler, vice president- marketing, Citizen Watch Company of America
The Latest
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.