The National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
The Nominees for The WJA Awards Have Been Revealed
National Jeweler’s Senior Editor, Brecken Branstrator, is up for an award in the Media Excellence category.

Poughkeepsie, NY--Across nine categories, 33 individuals have a chance of nabbing a Women’s Jewelry Association Award for Excellence next month.
The Women’s Jewelry Association released its list of potential winners Monday. Earlier this year, WJA members and jewelry industry professionals were able to nominate their colleagues through an open, online submission process.
The pool was whittled down by a committee of past winners, headed by jewelry editor and former winner of an Award for Excellence in the Media Excellence category, Jennifer Heebner. This year, the committee honed and refined its criteria for selecting the final nominees.
"An eligible nominee must have a reputation for integrity, honesty, high ethical standards, and credibility, according to the new WJA Awards for Excellence criteria," Heebner explained. "She also must devote time and effort to help women in the jewelry industry excel."
The committee will go on to select the winner of each category, which will be announced live at the WJA Awards for Excellence gala on July 24 in New York at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60.
Here are the 2017 nominees:
Design
Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier
Merchandising and Product Development
Business Services
Large-Scale Retail
Independent Retail
Open-Format Retail
Marketing and Communications
Editorial
President of WJA, Brandee Dallow, commented "WJA congratulates our 2017 WJA Awards for Excellence nominees, each of whom has demonstrated significant achievements throughout their careers. We look forward to applauding our honorees and nominees at the WJA Awards for Excellence gala on July 24."
In addition to the nine awards being given out at the Awards for Excellence gala, three other awards will be given to industry heavyweights for their contributions over the years.
As previously announced, Cecilia Gardner, president, CEO, and general counsel of Jewelers Vigilance Committee, will receive the WJA Lifetime Achievement Award. Michael Pollak, CEO of Hyde Park Jewelers, will receive the Ben Kaiser Award. Day's Jewelers will receive this year’s WJA Corporate Award.
Besides honoring industry leaders, the gala’s purpose is to raise funds to go toward WJA scholarships for women in the jewelry industry. A silent auction and raffle at the gala will aid this pursuit.
"The Awards for Excellence Gala is our prime opportunity to raise funds for our scholarship and grants program," said WJA Executive Director Bernadette Mack. "We are grateful to all of our honorees, nominees, attendees, and sponsors for their dedication in participating in this event, to invest in the new women entrepreneurs, veterans, and students
Those interested in sponsorship opportunities this year may contact Mack at bernadette@womensjewelryassociation.com, or obtain additional information on the WJA website.
Gala tickets may also be purchased on the site.
The Latest

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.


The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.