Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
IndependentsSep 07, 2021
Alex Šepkus, a Celebrated Talent in Jewelry Design, Has Died
A native of Lithuania, Šepkus is remembered as a true artist and a kind man.
Celebrated jewelry designer Alex Sepkus, seen here with one of the many unique pieces of jewelry he created, died on Sunday. His eponymous company announced his death via social media. (Photo courtesy of the Alex Sepkus Facebook page)
New York—Alex Šepkus, a true artist in the field of jewelry design, died over the weekend, his team announced via social media.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Alex Šepkus on Sunday, September 5, 2021,” reads a post on the designer’s official Instagram and Facebook accounts.
“An internationally celebrated artist, he was revered by the members of his team, many of whom had worked alongside him for decades. Further details on funeral arrangements will follow in the coming days.”
Šepkus was born in Lithuania in 1954 and was “extraordinarily proud of his heritage,” retaining strong personal and professional ties to the Lithuanian community throughout his life alongside his wife, Dangė.
He immigrated to the United States in 1988 and, like a number of well-known designers, launched his eponymous collection at the New Designer Gallery at the JA New York Show in 1993.
He later came to exhibit at Couture, with the team behind the show remembering the designer on its Instagram page as a “profoundly talented artist and a long-standing pillar of the COUTURE community.”
Šepkus also was a man of faith and was a founding member of the Sleepy Hollow Schola Cantorum in Westchester, New York.
News of Šepkus’ passing came as a shock to the jewelry industry, which has lost dozens of people to COVID-19 over the past 18 months and grappled with the recent deaths of other beloved designers, including Elsa Peretti, Jose Hess, Alex Woo and Holly Dyment.
Hundreds of people commented on the post on the official Alex Šepkus Instagram page, expressing their condolences for the late designer’s family and team, and remarking on Šepkus’ incredible talent.
“We are so shocked and saddened to hear this news,” retailer Fox’s Seattle wrote. “Alex has been surprising, delighting, and amusing us with his incredible jewelry for nearly 30 years. He was truly one-of-a-kind and will be sorely missed.”
Engagement 101 Editor-in-Chief Severine Ferrari remarked, “Artists leave us with magical things and experiences that [endure] for so much longer than their earthly presence. He will not be forgotten.”
Later this week, National Jeweler will run a longer article remembering Šepkus and sharing additional details about his passing.
If you have memories of the designer and his work you would like to share, contact michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New AmbassadorThe 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry HallThe West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
