Events & AwardsMay 02, 2023
The 2023 CASE Awards Are Now Open for EntriesEvents & AwardsMay 08, 2023
JA announces 2023 Class of ‘20 Under 40’
The list recognizes young retail talent nationwide.
Meet Jewelers of America’s second-ever group of "20 Under 40" jewelry retail talent. The distinction honors up-and-coming jewelry company owners, managers, and employees.
New York, NY – Jewelers of America has announced its annual “20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail” list.
The honorees embody an ability to lead, innovate, and improve a jewelry store's success while adhering to professional ethics, JA said.
JA members and non-members across the jewelry industry nominated contenders for the 20 Under 40 list. A panel of industry judges narrowed down more than 150 nominees to 20 honorees.
All are under age 40 and employed by JA member retail stores, with job roles ranging from owners to management, marketing, merchandising, training, and more.
The trade organization began the list in 2022. It celebrates professionals who exemplify leadership skills and a commitment to elevating jewelry retail for consumers, JA said.
“Jewelers of America recognizes the importance of shining a spotlight on the up-and-coming talent found at member stores nationwide. These recipients’ dedication to their craft, community and the industry will pave the way for a brighter future and the next generation of jewelry professionals,” said JA President and CEO David Bonaparte.
Related stories will be right here …
The honorees embody an ability to lead, innovate, and improve a jewelry store's success while adhering to professional ethics, JA said.
JA members and non-members across the jewelry industry nominated contenders for the 20 Under 40 list. A panel of industry judges narrowed down more than 150 nominees to 20 honorees.
All are under age 40 and employed by JA member retail stores, with job roles ranging from owners to management, marketing, merchandising, training, and more.
The trade organization began the list in 2022. It celebrates professionals who exemplify leadership skills and a commitment to elevating jewelry retail for consumers, JA said.
“Jewelers of America recognizes the importance of shining a spotlight on the up-and-coming talent found at member stores nationwide. These recipients’ dedication to their craft, community and the industry will pave the way for a brighter future and the next generation of jewelry professionals,” said JA President and CEO David Bonaparte.
The 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail List honorees for 2023 are:
Jessica Adler Gerring, owner and chief operating officer of Adler's Diamonds, St. Louis, Missouri;
Raeann Baribault Schwartz, partner and chief marketing officer of Baribault Jewelers, Glastonbury, Connecticut;
Alex Bellman, COO of Bellman Jewelers, Manchester, New Hampshire;
Brandon Boudreaux, COO of Boudreaux’s Jewelers, Metairie, Louisiana;
Maria Brown, co-owner and vice president of Exclusively Diamonds, Mankato, Minnesota;
Trish Carruth, founder and lead designer of Your Personal Jeweler, Royal Oak, Michigan;
Marino A. Costello, general manager of Costello Jewelry Company, Naperville, Illinois;
Matthew Fink, president of Fink’s Jewelers, Roanoke, Virginia;
Lauren Forbes, director of diamonds and gemstones at Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry, Seattle, Washington;
Stephanie Gottlieb, founder and CEO of Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry, New York, New York;
Angela Hope, vice president of merchandise of Ben Bridge Jeweler, Seattle, Washington;
Allison Leitzel Williams, co-owner and president of Leitzel’s Jewelry, Hershey and Myerstown, Pennsylvania;
Nikia Levesque, vice president of marketing at Day’s Jewelers, Waterville, Maine;
Natacha Metayer, president and owner of JNCY Jewelers, Miami, Florida;
Isreal Morales, owner of Sky Diamond Jewelers, New Windsor, New York;
Lexis S. Parker, director of training at Huntington Fine Jewelers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
Emily Phillippy, owner of Emily Chelsea Jewelry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Courtney Sivard, director of marketing at BC Clark Jewelers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;
Abby Snow, co-owner and manager of Metalmark Fine Jewelry, Phoenix, Arizona;
Scott Udell, vice president of London Jewelers, Manhasset, New York.
Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 program is sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Group and Synchrony. For more information about each of the 20 Under 40 List recipients, visit the JA website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
PodcastsJul 22, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
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 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.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
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.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
