Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
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.

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.
The Latest

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.


The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.