Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
IndependentsJun 21, 2022
Jeweler Tommy Glatz, Known for Being Creative and Kind, Dies at 68
Glatz owned and operated Glatz Jewelers in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania for more than 40 years.
Tommy Glatz shared this photo on Facebook of himself and wife Marleen Glatz at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s San Antonio conference in March. “Diamonds, jewelry and a party. Loving this!” he wrote. The longtime Pennsylvania jeweler died suddenly at his home earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of Tommy Glatz/Facebook)
Aliquippa, Pa.—Tommy M. Glatz, the longtime owner of Glatz Jewelers in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, died unexpectedly at his home on June 7.
He was 68.
Glatz grew up in Shaler Township, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh, and graduated from Shaler High School.
After earning bachelor’s degrees in metalsmithing and fine art, Glatz and wife Marleen opened Glatz Jewelers in 1976.
Over the years, they grew their business from a small store into a multi-brand operation, gaining a reputation as one of the most trusted jewelry retailers in the Pittsburgh area while Glatz became known for his signature bow tie.
In 2009, Glatz Jewelers became a member of the Independent Jewelers Organization.
Around that same time, the store began branching out into another business—wine.
The Glatz family had been making wine for generations but didn’t begin marketing it until 2007, selling bottles under the label Glatz Wine Cellars with names befitting a jewelry store, like “Amethyst,” and “Topaz.”
“People ask me how long I’ve been making wine. Longer than jewelry, I tell them,” Glatz told National Jeweler when the publication profiled the store’s wine business in the 2019 Retailer Hall of Fame issue, noting that his family has been producing wine in Germany and France for more than 200 years.
In addition to jewelry and winemaking, Glatz loved talking about travel, the arts, biking, and genealogy, and was an avid gardener. He enjoyed spending evenings and weekends in the garden with his dog Ted, growing fruits and vegetables and sharing them with family and friends.
He also loved being “Poppy” to his six grandchildren.
Glatz was “brilliantly creative … witty, feisty, and kind,” his online obituary states. “He will be missed by countless friends and family from all walks of life all around the world.”
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marleen (Michael) Glatz; daughter Arlene and her husband Bob Nalli; son Aaron and his wife Shelby Glatz; son Dale and his wife Dana Glatz; and six grandchildren: Andrew and Elise Nalli, Oscar and August Glatz, and William and Waylon Glatz.
Also surviving are his father, Robert Glatz of Shaler Township; his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Kerry Glatz of Shaler Township; his mother-in-law, Alice Michael of Center Township; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn (Haffely) Glatz, and his father-in-law, Steve Michael.
Friends will be received Friday, June 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Tatalovich Funeral Home, 3475 Brodhead Road, Monaca, PA 15061.
He was 68.
Glatz grew up in Shaler Township, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh, and graduated from Shaler High School.
After earning bachelor’s degrees in metalsmithing and fine art, Glatz and wife Marleen opened Glatz Jewelers in 1976.
Over the years, they grew their business from a small store into a multi-brand operation, gaining a reputation as one of the most trusted jewelry retailers in the Pittsburgh area while Glatz became known for his signature bow tie.
In 2009, Glatz Jewelers became a member of the Independent Jewelers Organization.
Around that same time, the store began branching out into another business—wine.
The Glatz family had been making wine for generations but didn’t begin marketing it until 2007, selling bottles under the label Glatz Wine Cellars with names befitting a jewelry store, like “Amethyst,” and “Topaz.”
“People ask me how long I’ve been making wine. Longer than jewelry, I tell them,” Glatz told National Jeweler when the publication profiled the store’s wine business in the 2019 Retailer Hall of Fame issue, noting that his family has been producing wine in Germany and France for more than 200 years.
In addition to jewelry and winemaking, Glatz loved talking about travel, the arts, biking, and genealogy, and was an avid gardener. He enjoyed spending evenings and weekends in the garden with his dog Ted, growing fruits and vegetables and sharing them with family and friends.
He also loved being “Poppy” to his six grandchildren.
Glatz was “brilliantly creative … witty, feisty, and kind,” his online obituary states. “He will be missed by countless friends and family from all walks of life all around the world.”
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marleen (Michael) Glatz; daughter Arlene and her husband Bob Nalli; son Aaron and his wife Shelby Glatz; son Dale and his wife Dana Glatz; and six grandchildren: Andrew and Elise Nalli, Oscar and August Glatz, and William and Waylon Glatz.
Also surviving are his father, Robert Glatz of Shaler Township; his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Kerry Glatz of Shaler Township; his mother-in-law, Alice Michael of Center Township; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn (Haffely) Glatz, and his father-in-law, Steve Michael.
Friends will be received Friday, June 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Tatalovich Funeral Home, 3475 Brodhead Road, Monaca, PA 15061.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
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.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction 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.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
