Berta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
William Mark Michaels of Michaels Jewelers Dies at 71
Michaels is remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He was 71.
Michaels was a longtime member of the jewelry industry, getting his start as a buyer at the family business, later working his way up to running the Connecticut-based chain.
The company has 10 locations across the state.
“He loved going to JCK and other industry shows and truly dedicated his life to Michaels Jewelers,” said his daughter, Lindsay Michaels-Gorski.
The Michaels family owned and operated Michaels Jewelers from 1885 until 2019, when they sold it to Camile Hannoush of Hannoush Jewelers.
After the sale, Michaels stayed on as a consultant. He switched gears to focus on the family’s secondary business as a franchise owner of 11 Pandora stores.
He renamed the company The Michaels Group, teaming up with his daughters Lindsay, the vice president of marketing and sales, and Brittany, the chief operating officer.
“It was really wonderful to have worked alongside my dad for nearly 10 years,” said Michaels-Gorski.
When he wasn’t working in the family business, Michaels enjoyed music, golf, spending time with his friends, and boating in Maine.
He was remembered in his online obituary as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his wife, Rose; daughters Brittany and Lindsay; sons-in-law, Dan and Dmitriy; granddaughter Kamila Rose; and brother Irving (Mickey).
The Latest

Sotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.

Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Here are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.


The honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

Yood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.

Set in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.

The jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.

Take luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.

This year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”

In its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.

Starting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.

The new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.

The filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.

The new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.

Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.

“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.

Silas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.

The sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.

Most customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.

MatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.

The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.

Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.



















