IndependentsMar 08, 2022
Day’s Jewelers Announces New VP FinanceSourcingMar 09, 2022
Joe Menzie to Retire After Nearly 5 Decades in the Industry
But his eponymous gemstone business will carry on under new owner Nash James Enterprises.
Industry veteran Joe Menzie will retire at the end of the month. Starting April 1, Nash James Enterprises will become the owner of Joseph M. Menzie Inc. (Image courtesy Menzie.com)
New York—Longtime industry veteran and fine gemstone specialist Joe Menzie will retire at the end of the month, but he won’t be leaving the trade altogether.
Menzie started in the industry in 1973, leaving a job as a social worker in Yonkers to begin his jewelry career at his grandfather’s fine gemstone business.
“Back then, there were only about 10 guys my age in the business. Everybody else was much older,” he told National Jeweler in a recent interview.
He left his grandfather’s company to run the gemstone division for a Swiss company called Golay Buchel in the early 1980s prior to opening his own company.
In addition to providing fine gemstones to the industry, Joseph Menzie Inc. also performs appraisals, sells estate jewelry, offers stone cutting and lapidary services, and creates custom jewelry.
During his career, Menzie was vital in opening gemstone markets in Korea, Dubai, and China.
He served as president of the International Colored Gemstone Association from 2003-2007 and was also on the ICA board for more than a decade. In 2013, the organization honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was also a founder of think tank New York Jewelers Group, which has been around for more than two decades and continues today.
One of the biggest changes to the industry since he started, Menzie noted, is the digital aspect. Among other things, it has decreased the time and money spent shipping items to clients now that trade members can show them digital images of a product.
“Before, we would use language and descriptive vocabulary to talk about stones, and we still do that, don’t get me wrong. But now everybody wants to see a picture of something first before we ship it. I think, as we do better with digitalization and these types of communication tools (like Zoom), it’s going to really change it up. For the better.”
Menzie said he’s had the timing of his retirement planned for at least the past eight years, picking it to coincide with several factors: his birthday, the lease ending on his office, and a favorable real estate market for sellers so he can sell his apartment at a profit.
But even as he retires, his business isn’t coming to an end.
Starting April 1, Nash James Enterprises will become the owner of Joseph M. Menzie Inc.
Menzie said Nash James owner Bryan Aderhold, who already operates out of the same office space, had always been the person to whom he wanted to leave his company.
“He’s super at what he does. I have complete faith in him, and all my salesmen like him. He’s very service-oriented, like I was. He’s very knowledgeable. He’s got good inventory.”
He also noted Aderhold’s strength in making his business present in the digital space and across social media channels.
Menzie will stay on through the end of the year to help with the transition and introduce Nash James to his accounts.
“When I formed Nash James Enterprises in 2016, I was starting from scratch with not much more than a vision and a passion for colored gemstones. Joe offered me a place to operate from and has taught me a lot about the business over these past few years,” Aderhold said.
“With a similar business model and approach, we are excited to incorporate Joseph M. Menzie Inc. into our operations, and we look forward to continuing Joe’s legacy as a provider of colored gemstone solutions for our clients and partners. It’s an honor and a privilege, and I’m excited to carry the torch for this industry legend, mentor, and friend.”
Menzie said he’ll still be around the industry with a few projects, like marketing and promoting colored stones to consumers to make them a “demand item” and working with overseas manufacturers to establish Permanent International Jewelry Exhibitions in the U.S., set up in response to the challenges COVID-19 brought and offering permanent spaces for them to have goods stored and displayed to allow purchasing to happen without the necessity of travel.
He also will continue the trips to gemstone source regions he started a few years ago through a separate company, Gemstone Expeditions. This year, it will include a trip to Montana sapphire mines and California’s Pala mine, with international trips eventually coming back online.
“I had a good run. I made a lot of friends in the industry,” Menzie said. “I always tried to tell the truth and be ethical, so I can walk around with my head held high. And I have a lot of respect from my peers, which is something you can’t buy. You have to just earn it.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
Weekly QuizJun 04, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
