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.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
