Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Jewelry Industry Professional Bobbi Freeman Dies
She worked for companies in California, New Mexico, and Texas over her long career.
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.
The Latest

In the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.

The 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.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.


The expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.

The lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.

Longtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.

The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.

The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.

Museum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.





















