PodcastsAug 19, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
IndependentsNov 05, 2021
Jewelry Industry Professional Bobbi Freeman Dies
She worked for companies in California, New Mexico, and Texas over her long career.
San Antonio—Jewelry industry professional Roberta “Bobbi” Freeman died Oct. 1.
She was 73.
She was born Roberta Marion Freeman in Detroit, Michigan on June 7, 1948 to Evelyn and Wilmer Freeman, M.D.
In the 1970s, after college, Freeman departed Detroit for Los Angeles, to work for her sister Linda Gordon and brother-in-law Jack Gordon’s jewelry manufacturing business, H. Jack Gordon, Inc.
There, Freeman learned the ins and outs of the trade.
Her sister noted, “She loved her work and her customers.”
Freeman worked in product development and sourced findings and gemstones. She went on to become sales manager, and was in charge of all the companies’ reps, and handled its participation in jewelry trade shows.
Freeman later worked for other manufacturers when her sister and brother-in-law retired, closing their company.
According to her sister, she worked for Wedding Rings, Inc. in Los Angeles. She then moved to Albuquerque where she worked for Cabana, then Morning Sun for a decade.
Finally, she relocated to Texas, working for Silver Express, then Almond Inc., where she retired.
Her career took her to Thailand, China, Milan, Paris, and Basel, Switzerland to source product.
“Bobbi always kept her special customers in mind while concentrating on product development,” said Gordon.
“She designed items specifically for them. She always knew what each buyer would be looking for to put in their stores. Most of her contacts in the jewelry business remained her good friends even after they left their various positions in the industry.”
Freeman was living in San Antonio, Texas when she died last month.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in law, her daughter Erin Rosamond, son-in-law Phillip Rosamond, and grandchildren Eli and Jessi Rosamond.
She was 73.
She was born Roberta Marion Freeman in Detroit, Michigan on June 7, 1948 to Evelyn and Wilmer Freeman, M.D.
In the 1970s, after college, Freeman departed Detroit for Los Angeles, to work for her sister Linda Gordon and brother-in-law Jack Gordon’s jewelry manufacturing business, H. Jack Gordon, Inc.
There, Freeman learned the ins and outs of the trade.
Her sister noted, “She loved her work and her customers.”
Freeman worked in product development and sourced findings and gemstones. She went on to become sales manager, and was in charge of all the companies’ reps, and handled its participation in jewelry trade shows.
Freeman later worked for other manufacturers when her sister and brother-in-law retired, closing their company.
Roberta “Bobbi” Freeman worked for companies in California, New Mexico, and Texas over her long career.
According to her sister, she worked for Wedding Rings, Inc. in Los Angeles. She then moved to Albuquerque where she worked for Cabana, then Morning Sun for a decade.
Finally, she relocated to Texas, working for Silver Express, then Almond Inc., where she retired.
Her career took her to Thailand, China, Milan, Paris, and Basel, Switzerland to source product.
“Bobbi always kept her special customers in mind while concentrating on product development,” said Gordon.
“She designed items specifically for them. She always knew what each buyer would be looking for to put in their stores. Most of her contacts in the jewelry business remained her good friends even after they left their various positions in the industry.”
Freeman was living in San Antonio, Texas when she died last month.
She is survived by her sister and brother-in law, her daughter Erin Rosamond, son-in-law Phillip Rosamond, and grandchildren Eli and Jessi Rosamond.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
