EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
IndependentsJul 28, 2021
Estelle Hedaya, Full of Life and Loved by All, Laid to Rest
The funeral for Hedaya, the final victim identified in the Surfside condo collapse, took place Tuesday in her native Brooklyn.
Estelle Hedaya, 54, was identified Monday as the final victim of the June 24 condo collapse in Surfside, Florida. This photo, posted to her Facebook page, was taken in Las Vegas during the CBG show in June.
New York—Beloved industry executive Estelle Hedaya was laid to rest Tuesday in Brooklyn, bringing some closure to family and friends who’ve waited weeks for word on her fate.
Hedaya, 54, was one of the victims of the condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida, in late June and was the last to be identified. Her younger brother, Ikey Hedaya, confirmed the identification of her remains to the Associated Press Monday.
Services took place Tuesday morning, with mourners filling the Magen David Synagogue in the borough’s Bensonhurst neighborhood.
A Brooklyn native, Hedaya spent her career in jewelry, working for companies including Dinaro Creations, World Trade Jewelers, and Continental Buying Group/Preferred Jewelers International, where she served as director of operations for the past six years.
Those who knew Hedaya remember her as a happy, positive, and outgoing woman who was dedicated to her friends and family, her Jewish faith, and her job in an industry she loved.
April Scorcia, who worked with Hedaya for seven years at World Trade Jewelers, remembered the fun they would have working side-by-side in the office, and navigating airports, rooming together, and staying up late into the night talking on business trips.
It was during these trips, Scorcia said, that Hedaya introduced her to reality TV via “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” Her commentary on the show was “hilarious,” Scorcia remembers.
When the opportunity arose for Hedaya to leave her native New York and move to Miami to work for CBG, Scorcia encouraged her to take it.
It turned out to be a good move. In Miami, Hedaya seemingly hit her stride.
She excelled at her job, made new friends, and, recently, got into a new fitness routine and bought a new car—a red Lexus—all the while chronicling her adventures in her blog, Follow the Toes.
CBG President Andie Weinman said she hired Hedaya with the idea that she would one day succeed her at CBG, and Hedaya was embracing the challenge.
She was “unbelievable” at getting suppliers and retailers together, Weinman said, and was taking on more responsibility at each CBG show, including the recently concluded—and by all accounts successful—show in Las Vegas.
“She was my right arm,” Weinman wrote in an email to National Jeweler Tuesday. “I will miss her.”
Both Weinman and Scorcia said they had never seen Hedaya happier, and her positivity was infectious.
“Estelle never had a bad thing to say about anyone, ever,” Scorcia said.
“Even in bad times, she always found the bright side. She was such a good-feeling catalyst for everyone around her … I will miss her so.”
The Champlain Towers South in Surfside, a small beach community adjacent to Miami, collapsed in the middle of the night on June 24. Hedaya lived on the sixth floor of the condo building.
A total of 98 people were killed in the collapse.
Over the last month, CBG owner Joe Murphy has been sharing developments in the search for Hedaya via Facebook almost daily, with each post attracting hundreds of likes and comments from members of the jewelry industry.
The team at CBG/Preferred Jewelers also created a gift fund in her name at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
As of Wednesday morning, the donation total was approaching $95,000.
In a July 25 Facebook post, Murphy noted that Hedaya’s memorial fund accounts for one of the largest online donations made to St. Jude all year.
“Our girl just continues to do amazing things,” he wrote. “Love her and miss her.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
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.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
