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
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
