Meet JA’s Inaugural Jewelry Retail ‘20 Under 40’
It’s a who’s who of top retail talents nationwide.

The trade organization has announced its inaugural “20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List.” It recognizes professionals who exemplify leadership and a commitment to elevating jewelry retail for consumers, JA said.
Retail members of the organization could nominate themselves or others for the list. A panel of industry judges selected the 20 honorees from the nationwide applications.
They chose individuals who exemplify the ability to lead, innovate, and improve a jewelry store’s success.
All employees of Jewelers of America Member retail stores, their roles range from top executives and managers to designers, marketers, and bench jewelers.
JA President and CEO David Bonaparte said: “Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List was designed to recognize young and talented individuals in all facets of the retail jewelry industry. These recipients will pave the way for a brighter future and the next generation of jewelry industry professionals.”
The 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List honorees for 2022 are:
• Wes Anderson, Co-owner, Manager and Designer of T.K. Anderson Designs, Athens, Georgia
• Erin Bacher, Store Manager of J. Bacher Fine Jewelry, Harrisburg, IL
• Chad Berg, Co-Owner and Co-President of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Stephanie Binder, Founder and CEO of Boston Diamond Company, Boston, Massachusetts
• Christian Bolling, Jewelry Designer of Christian Stone and Jeffery B. Jewelers, Denver, Colorado
• Andy Brabec, Director of Marketing and E-commerce of Borsheims, Omaha, Nebraska
• Lisa Bridge, President and CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweler, Seattle, Washington
• Amanda Coleman-Phelps, Presidentand Owner of Nelson Coleman Jewelers & Jewelry By Designs, Towson, Maryland
• Joseph Corey, President of Day’s Jewelers, Waterville, Maine
• Isabelle Corvin, Staff Gemologist and Merchandising Manager of Panowicz Jewelers, Olympia, Washington
• Katherine Dahlkemper, Assistant Manager of Dahlkemper’s Jewelry Connection, Erie, Pennsylvania
• Jordan Dubin, Co-Owner of Dubin's Fine Jewelry, Houston, TX
• Jessica Gylsen, Store Manager and Diamond Department Manager of Wixon Jewelers, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Alexandra Hevia Schlindwein, Marketing Director of Kiefer Jewelers, Lutz, Florida
• Trisha Kennedy-Thompson, Co-Owner of Kennedy’s Jewelers, Blue Springs, Missouri
• Valerie Madison, Owner and Creative Director of Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, Seattle, Washington
• Alexis Padis, President of Padis Jewelry, San Francisco, California
• Constance Polamalu, COO of Zachary's Jewelers, Annapolis, Maryland
• Lauren Priori, Owner of L. Priori Jewelry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Andrew Siegel, COO of Hamilton Jewelers, Princeton, New Jersey
More information on the list is available on the JA website.
The Latest

Valeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.

The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.

Jewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.

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

The yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.


The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.

The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

The open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.

Bold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”

The New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.

Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.

These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.

Alberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.

Initiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”

The designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.

The diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.

The annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.

AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.

Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.

The “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.

Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.

In honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.

“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.

Richemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.

Nate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.

Enoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
























