CollectionsSep 26, 2022
Go ‘Inside the Dream’ of Bulgari Via a New Documentary on Amazon Prime It follows Creative Director Lucia Silvestri as she crafts the brand’s high jewelry collections.
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
Recorded WebinarsSep 26, 2022
Watch: What Jewelers Should Know About InsuranceFrom safeguarding showcases to appraisal liability, insurance experts Mark Devereaux and Andrew Chipman share insurance tips for jewelers.
TrendsSep 26, 2022
Vahan Collabs With Wolf on a Jewelry BoxIt’s the first time in 50 years the brand has made something other than jewelry.
Brought to you by
6 Steps to Start a Dynamic Company CultureLearn how to better serve your employees, customers and community by having a dynamic and supportive company culture.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2022
Texas Jewelers Association Rolls Out New Format for Design CompetitionThe competition takes place in tandem with TJA’s annual convention, known as the Texas Jewelers Roundup.
Weekly QuizSep 22, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
CollectionsSep 23, 2022
Pandora Reimagines Keith Haring’s Art in New CollectionThe limited-run collection features figures from Haring’s iconic street art on charms, bracelets, rings, and more.
GradingSep 23, 2022
GIA Career Fair Returns to Carlsbad The Gemological Institute of America also announced plans for events in New York and London in 2023.
Brought to you by
Committing to an Ethical Diamond BusinessWhile ethical mining is essential to a diamond business, they represent only a fraction of the responsibility bestowed on jewelers.
SourcingSep 23, 2022
See the Items in Gem Legacy’s 4th Anniversary Benefit Auction One hundred percent of proceeds will benefit the nonprofit’s silicosis prevention initiative.
CollectionsSep 23, 2022
Piece of the Week: Emily Weld Collins’ AmuletInspired by antique coins, it depicts a “hippocamp” from Greek mythology.
EditorsSep 22, 2022
4 Things Seen and Heard at the 2022 HardRock Summit Gemstones Editor Brecken Branstrator dishes on the latest color to trend, the show floor buzz, and more from Denver.
TrendsSep 22, 2022
There’s a New Book on Tiffany & Co.Written by historian Vivienne Becker, it accompanies this summer’s Tiffany jewelry exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery.
Supplier BulletinSep 22, 2022
Using Commerce Data to Outshine the Competition in the Jewelry IndustrySponsored by Bloomreach
SourcingSep 22, 2022
First Diamond Recovered From Burgundy’s Ellendale Restart Burgundy also announced the retail launch of its diamond brand, Maison Mazerea.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2022
JCK Industry Fund Now Accepting ApplicationsOrganizations with a project or initiative aimed at bettering the jewelry industry are encouraged to apply.
Lab-GrownSep 21, 2022
An Updated Look at the Lab-Grown Diamond Market: Size, Pricing, and More As the end of 2022 draws near, National Jeweler offers another deep dive into lab-grown diamond market data.
TrendsSep 21, 2022
These Are the Diamond Jewels to Stock for the HolidaysThese trending-yet-timeless pieces are no-brainers for customers in search of the perfect gift.
SourcingSep 21, 2022
A Day in the Life: Daniel Namdar, Fancy Color Diamond SpecialistNamdar joins a long line of diamond experts, but his love of the trade was learned rather than inherited.
Lab-GrownSep 21, 2022
Looking Ahead: 4 Factors That Could Shape Lab-Grown Diamonds’ Future Growing supply and falling prices likely will make differentiation a necessity and a reality, according to analyst Paul Zimnisky.
AuctionsSep 21, 2022
Egyptomania at Sotheby’s: See the Egyptian Revival Jewels Heading to Auction The auction house is celebrating 100 years since the discovery of King Tut’s tomb.
MajorsSep 21, 2022
Claire’s Expands Walmart PartnershipThe chain’s jewelry and accessories are now available in 2,500 Walmart locations.
Events & AwardsSep 21, 2022
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to NYC for the First TimeThe event is slated for Oct. 20-22 at Brooklyn Metal Works.
MajorsSep 21, 2022
Hearts On Fire Announces Sales Teams ChangesJacqueline Raffi has been promoted to vice president, sales, North America.
CrimeSep 20, 2022
Customs Seizes More Than 700 Counterfeit Cartier ‘Love’ Bracelets Agents in Cincinnati intercepted three shipments of fake brand-name jewels that would be worth more than $10 million if genuine.
ColumnistsSep 20, 2022
The Smart Lab: 5 Holiday Shopping Predictions for 2022From free shipping to early shopping, Emmanuel Raheb outlines a handful of factors expected to shape the holiday season this year.
Events & AwardsSep 20, 2022
Harwell Godfrey Nabs CFDA Fashion Award NominationThe sole fine jewelry nominee, the brand is up for an award in the emerging designer category.
MajorsSep 20, 2022
Signet Expands Loyalty Program, Adds Personal Jewelry InsuranceCustomers earn one “gem” for every dollar spent as part of the “Vault Rewards” program, unlocking discounts and special member-only offers.
