And the Winner of Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It Award’ Is …
Wendy Johnson, a senior buyer’s assistant, has been with the retailer since 2007.

This year’s winner is Senior Buyer’s Assistant Wendy Johnson.
Johnson has been with Borsheims since 2007, starting as a buyer’s assistant on the fine gift side of the business. She helped the retailer’s gift buyer with reporting, tracking orders, and hosting designers in the store.
In 2019, Borsheims promoted Johnson to senior buyer’s assistant, where she took on additional work assisting the store’s jewelry and diamond buyers.
Johnson’s colleagues nominated and selected her for the Ike-It Award. She received it on Feb. 21, with Borsheims President and CEO Karen Goracke calling Johnson an “integral” member of the team.
“I couldn’t be prouder of her for being selected by her fellow employees as our Ike-It Award recipient,” Goracke said. “Our staff is grateful for her positive attitude and tremendous work ethic. Congratulations, Wendy!”
The Ike-It Award is named in honor of Ike Friedman, who owned Borsheims from 1947 to 1989, when Warren Buffett bought a majority stake in the company and made it part of his holding company, Berkshire Hathaway.
The retailer first gave out the award in 1992, the year after Friedman died. This year marks its 31st presentation.
The Latest

The retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.

Smith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.

John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Founder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.


“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.

“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.

Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.

Signet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.

The antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.

Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.

Iconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.

The luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.

The NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.

The one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.

The new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.

The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.

It is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.

The initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.

The wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.

Foundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.

A Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.

Applications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.

These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Mejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.

The Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.


























