SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
MajorsJun 27, 2022
George Holmes, Longtime Head Editor of JCK Magazine, Dies at 93
He first took a job at then Philadelphia-based Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone in 1963 and retired in 1996.
Outside of work, longtime JCK magazine Editor-in-Chief George Holmes loved to hike and visited America’s and Canada’s national parks many times alongside his wife of 51 years, Deborah. Holmes died June 20 at 93.
Downingtown, Pa.—George Holmes, the longtime editor-in-chief of JCK magazine who guided the publication’s award-winning coverage, died June 20.
He was 93.
Holmes was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1928.
The youngest of three boys, Holmes lost his father, a captain in the British Army during World War I who was exposed to chemical warfare, to pneumonia before he was born.
He and his brothers were granted the right to be educated at a school for children of families with limited means, and the headmaster worked to ensure Holmes got into Trinity College Dublin.
He majored in modern languages there, graduating in 1950.
He was committed to becoming a journalist, and finally got his break when he landed a job as a reporter covering a quiet Sunday beat at The Irish Times.
In 1954, Holmes was one of only two overseas journalists to win a fellowship in journalism from the University of Michigan and spent the second year of his fellowship writing for three Michigan newspapers.
He eventually returned to Europe to work at The Manchester Guardian before returning to North America and working for the Detroit Times, The Globe and Mail in Toronto, and The Wall Street Journal.
Feeling like a “cog in the wheel” at these large newspapers, Holmes took a job with a smaller publication in 1963—a trade magazine covering the jewelry industry that was then based in Philadelphia and called Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone.
He rose to the rank of managing editor but left in 1968 to start a Philadelphia-focused business weekly.
In 1974, the publication lured back Holmes and his friend Charles Bond as editor and publisher, respectively. His wife, Deborah Holmes, whom he married in 1971, was already working as the magazine’s masthead editor; she eventually became its managing editor.
Holmes remained at JCK until his retirement in 1996, tackling the important issues facing jewelers, including soaring gold and diamond prices in the late 1970s and early ‘80s and sky-high crime rates, while also making a significant contribution to service journalism by providing useful advice for working jewelers.
During his tenure, the magazine won 16 Neal Awards from the American Business Press, and Holmes won a Crain Award for distinguished editorial achievement.
He also was a member of the group that launched the JCK show in Las Vegas in 1991.
Outside of work, Holmes and his wife loved to read, garden, and hike. They visited their favorite national parks, including Banff and Yoho in Canada, Acadia in Maine, and Saguaro and Chiricahua in Arizona, many times.
Holmes is survived by his wife, Deborah.
There will not be a public funeral, but a memorial gathering is planned.
Those wishing to make a contribution in his memory can do so to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, or the Chester County Food Bank.
He was 93.
Holmes was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1928.
The youngest of three boys, Holmes lost his father, a captain in the British Army during World War I who was exposed to chemical warfare, to pneumonia before he was born.
He and his brothers were granted the right to be educated at a school for children of families with limited means, and the headmaster worked to ensure Holmes got into Trinity College Dublin.
He majored in modern languages there, graduating in 1950.
He was committed to becoming a journalist, and finally got his break when he landed a job as a reporter covering a quiet Sunday beat at The Irish Times.
In 1954, Holmes was one of only two overseas journalists to win a fellowship in journalism from the University of Michigan and spent the second year of his fellowship writing for three Michigan newspapers.
He eventually returned to Europe to work at The Manchester Guardian before returning to North America and working for the Detroit Times, The Globe and Mail in Toronto, and The Wall Street Journal.
Feeling like a “cog in the wheel” at these large newspapers, Holmes took a job with a smaller publication in 1963—a trade magazine covering the jewelry industry that was then based in Philadelphia and called Jewelers’ Circular-Keystone.
He rose to the rank of managing editor but left in 1968 to start a Philadelphia-focused business weekly.
In 1974, the publication lured back Holmes and his friend Charles Bond as editor and publisher, respectively. His wife, Deborah Holmes, whom he married in 1971, was already working as the magazine’s masthead editor; she eventually became its managing editor.
Holmes remained at JCK until his retirement in 1996, tackling the important issues facing jewelers, including soaring gold and diamond prices in the late 1970s and early ‘80s and sky-high crime rates, while also making a significant contribution to service journalism by providing useful advice for working jewelers.
During his tenure, the magazine won 16 Neal Awards from the American Business Press, and Holmes won a Crain Award for distinguished editorial achievement.
He also was a member of the group that launched the JCK show in Las Vegas in 1991.
Outside of work, Holmes and his wife loved to read, garden, and hike. They visited their favorite national parks, including Banff and Yoho in Canada, Acadia in Maine, and Saguaro and Chiricahua in Arizona, many times.
Holmes is survived by his wife, Deborah.
There will not be a public funeral, but a memorial gathering is planned.
Those wishing to make a contribution in his memory can do so to the Brandywine Valley SPCA, Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, or the Chester County Food Bank.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
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.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
