24 Karat Club of Southern California Recognizes 3 Honorees
They will be celebrated at the annual dinner dance and gala in the fall.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Georgie Gleim of Palo Alto’s Gleim the Jeweler.
Gleim is president of the store, which was founded in 1931. She is also heavily involved in the industry, having been a past president of the American Gem Society, past board chair of Jewelers of America, and past president of the Jewelers Education Foundation.
She’s received many accolades over her career, including being inducted into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame. She is a Robert M. Shipley Award recipient and has a WJA Award for Excellence in Retailing.
The 2023 Excellence in Service honoree is Shelly Sergent, curator of the Somewhere in the Rainbow Collection in Phoenix, Arizona.
Somewhere in the Rainbow aims to provide education and an appreciation of colored gemstones and artisan-crafted jewelry to museums, stores, and educational facilities.
Sergent received the 2022 AGS Sallie Morton Award. She has exhibited and presented the Somewhere in the Rainbow Collection at the Smithsonian Natural History Affiliate Museum, Harvard, and the University of Arizona.
Internationally, she has presented the collection at Gem-A in London, Germany, and Scotland.
Sergent is on the University of Arizona Board of Directors for Geo Sciences and is a founding member of the Tucson Gem and Mineral Museum, which opened in 2020.
Finally, the Rising Star Award recipient is Molly Peterson of Seattle’s Ben Bridge Jeweler.
The Ben Bridge bridal buyer joined the merchandising team in 2021. Prior to that, she was a top sales associate and manager, taking home honors like “Store of the Year,” “Highest Store Sales Increase,” and “Buyer’s Choice,” from the company.
Her role as bridal buyer sees her in charge of the Ben Bridge’s proprietary bridal brand, Bella Ponte, which specializes in custom design and state of the art technology.
The three honorees will be officially honored at the 79th Annual Dinner Dance and Gala this fall.
“We are really excited about this year’s slate of honorees,” said Adam Graham, president of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California.
“We invite everyone out to celebrate with us on Oct. 7 at the beautiful Ritz Carlton on the water in Marina Del Rey.”
Information on the 79th Annual Dinner Dance and Gala, including tickets and sponsorship, is available online.
The Latest

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite jewelry moments from the Golden Globes, and they are (mostly) white hot.

Yantzer is remembered for the profound influence he had on diamond cut grading as well as his contagious smile and quick wit.

The store closures are part of the retailer’s “Bold New Chapter” turnaround plan.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

Through EventGuard, the company will offer event liability and cancellation insurance, including wedding coverage.


Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.

The credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.

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

Kimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.

The “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.

“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.

The jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.

The singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.

The nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.

As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.

January’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.

The annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.

Footage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.

The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.

The Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”

Linda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.

The governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.

Sparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.

The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.

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

Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.

Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
























