CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
EditorsNov 29, 2010
Losing Allen Brill
Several years ago at an industry dinner, Allen Brill commented to me about an obituary I had written about diamond industry legend William Goldberg. "I hope someone writes something that nice about me when I go," Allen joked. Of course...
Several years ago at an industry dinner, Allen Brill commented to me about an obituary I had written about diamond industry legend William Goldberg. "I hope someone writes something that nice about me when I go," Allen joked. Of course I took it as a nice compliment and nothing else. Why, Allen was young, in his prime, the newly appointed president and CEO of the world's most popular luxury watch brand.
Allen was always that affable. Personally, I had met him about a decade earlier, playing tennis at an industry outing. The current president of Rolex at the time was one of the players in our group, and Allen was another. He was in a key sales position at that time. Young and ignorant as I was, I had no clue that Allen was the heir apparent. Swaggering just wasn't his style. Anyone who knew him was familiar with his easy manner. He was funny, soft-spoken and approachable, all overlaying a broad sense of self-confidence that enabled him to be a "regular guy."
He put people at ease and instilled those he spoke with with a sense of their own personal importance. After all, it was the chief of Rolex they were speaking to. He was never curt or abrupt with anyone. He had that rare sense of making everyone he spoke with feel that they had his undivided attention and that he felt their concerns were appropriate and relevant.
Last summer, at the AGS gala dinner during the New York JA Show, Allen received the association's Triple Zero award for his record of excellent service to the industry. For 10 minutes, he brought the room to laughter with a self-deprecating sense of humor that he focused on both his own accomplishments and those of the industry. Everyone left that evening remembering what a "regular guy" Allen Brill was.
I'm just always left at a lack of insights when someone like Allen is taken from us so young. What could he possibly have done to have deserved this? That's just one of those questions that can never be answered. It's just beyond us. What I do know is that there will be a gap in our lives as we go about our business in the jewelry and watch trade. Because we all know that a life well spent entails more than just doing business. It must include an enjoyment in
the course of conducting that business, an enjoyment that is created by those we work alongside.
Personally, I'll really miss him. It's hard to believe he just won't be there anymore as we gather to celebrate special moments and events or during our daily business. Goodbye Allen. We've lost a "regular guy," a dear friend.
Personally, I'll really miss him. It's hard to believe he just won't be there anymore as we gather to celebrate special moments and events or during our daily business. Goodbye Allen. We've lost a "regular guy," a dear friend.
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
Events & AwardsJan 21, 2026
Jewelers Mutual’s ‘Conversations’ Retreat Returns to Discuss AIThe third edition will be held in Half Moon Bay, California, in April.
Events & AwardsJan 20, 2026
These Are the 5 Finalists for the David Yurman Gem Awards GrantThe grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.
ColumnistsJan 20, 2026
First-Party Data Is the Most Valuable Asset Jewelers Have in 2026Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
