SJTA Announces 2022 Board of Directors
This includes a new role of show ambassador, to which three industry members have been appointed.
The executive board is as follows.
-- President: Steve Binder, Lafonn;
-- Executive Vice President: Rhett Hartzog, Heera Moti;
-- Vice President: Tom Schlotman, Victor Corporation; and
-- Secretary-Treasurer: Joseph Tsui, Empire Corporation.
The directors are Elesa Dillon of Southern Jewelry & Mid-America Jewelry News, Lou Mazza of Raymond Mazza, and Allison Peck of Brevani/Color Merchants.
Jamie Schaller of Bulova and Ross Wesdorp of Jewel-Craft were appointed as advisors.
Additionally, new for this year, the SJTA created the role of show ambassador, charged with representing the group in a positive light, increasing community awareness and engagement, promoting AJS, and serving as a liaison between stakeholders and the association.
The following have been appointed to the new role: Rajesh Lalwani of Roma Designs, Allan Cagle of Soprafino and Brilliant Elements, and Suresh Mulani of Reko Settings.
The association held its elections for the board on Nov. 19.
“I am personally delighted to welcome such a strong group of board members, and I look forward to serving with each of them in the coming year,” Binder said.
“I’m also very pleased that this team will lead the next chapter of our work, as they have individually demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing SJTA’s mission, and we’re looking forward their leadership.”
The Latest

For over 100 years, JA New York has played an integral role in facilitating the evolution of our industry, while also honoring past traditions.

The trend forecaster and her guests explored unconventional jewelry designs, NFTs, AI art, and more during her Trendvision presentation.

The Emerging Designers Diamond Initiative provides diamond credit and mentorship to young brands helmed by BIPOC designers.

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

It will be located in San Antonio’s Alamo Quarry Market and will be Lee Michaels’ third location in the city.


Stephanie Gottlieb, Jewelers Mutual’s Mike Alexander, and Craig Rottenberg of Long’s Jewelers are among the new board members.

Rolex remained No. 1 while a brand known for its pilot watches slipped into the No. 5 spot.

De Beers is sharing over 130 years of experience and expertise through the De Beers Institute of Diamonds with a selection of courses.

Jewelry designers have until early February to apply to take part in Couture's Diversity Action Council program.

Morgan P. Richardson joins from La Perla.

The new portal will share information on responsible platinum sourcing and how it’s used beyond jewelry.

Purchased directly from Rio Tinto, the collection consists of pinks, purples and one red, none larger than 1.52 carats.

Sherry Smith breaks down retailers’ performance last year, including how natural diamonds fared vs. lab-grown.

The AGS Ideal Report by GIA is a digital-only addition to GIA diamond reports.

The designer finds the modernity in classic motifs and family heirloom jewels.

She has more than 20 years’ experience in watches and jewelry, and says sustainability is the “greatest single issue” facing the industry.
Its focus are words like “sustainability,” “ethics,” and “responsible sourcing.”

Another “Designer to Watch” and Kim Kardashian’s auction purchase were among our most-read stories.

Herco President Reuven Itelman is retiring and selling the company, which will relocate to Ohio from California.

She was previously the executive director of sales and marketing for the De Beers Group-owned company.

It’s from a new collection of charms designed to go in the brand’s signature lockets.

Lonnie Iannazzo of Vincent Anthony Jewelers is the 2022 William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award recipient.

The revised Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report-Dossier still includes the four Cs but doesn’t list growth method or post-growth treatments.

Holiday sales fell short of the National Retail Federation’s expectations, rising only 5 percent year-over-year.

The businesswoman and reality TV star paid nearly $200,000 for the “Attallah Cross.”

Luxury retail veteran Claudia Cividino has stepped into the role.

Designer Sarah Narici has created the most compelling jewelry personalization in recent years, writes Senior Editor Ashley Davis.