IndependentsJul 31, 2023
Fourtané Names Former Hodinkee Exec COO MajorsAug 02, 2023
John Hardy Names Former Richemont Exec CEO
Jan-Patrick Schmitz will take on the role following former CEO Frédéric Levy’s departure after less than a year.
John Hardy has appointed luxury executive Jan-Patrick Schmitz as its new CEO. (Image courtesy of LinkedIn)
New York—John Hardy has appointed a new CEO, the second person to hold the role this year.
The jewelry brand chose luxury executive Jan-Patrick Schmitz to head the company, replacing interim CEO Audrey Finci, who will stay on as an advisor and board member.
Finci took on the role of interim CEO after the departure of Frédéric Levy, who joined the company in January.
The company did not respond to a request for comment on when and why Levy left the company.
New CEO Schmitz will bring his consumer and retailer experience to the role.
"Patrick brings valuable knowledge of the luxury market, a deep understanding of today's consumer, and a history of building and growing premier luxury goods businesses,” said Finci.
“He also embodies the level of determination, drive, and passion that makes John Hardy so unique, and we're thrilled to welcome him to the family."
Prior to joining John Hardy, Schmitz was the CEO of Muirbury & Co., an independent firm he founded that develops consumer brands across several sectors.
He also served as the global CEO and chairman of the management board of Wüsthof Group, a German knives company.
Earlier in his career, Schmitz spent about 20 years at Richemont, holding various senior leadership roles at Montblanc, including president and CEO of Montblanc North America, head of supply chain management, and president and CEO of Montblanc Japan.
Schmitz also holds several director roles for luxury goods and consumer-focused brands, including Timeless Wines, Thornwillow, and Pollaro.
Related stories will be right here …
The jewelry brand chose luxury executive Jan-Patrick Schmitz to head the company, replacing interim CEO Audrey Finci, who will stay on as an advisor and board member.
Finci took on the role of interim CEO after the departure of Frédéric Levy, who joined the company in January.
The company did not respond to a request for comment on when and why Levy left the company.
New CEO Schmitz will bring his consumer and retailer experience to the role.
"Patrick brings valuable knowledge of the luxury market, a deep understanding of today's consumer, and a history of building and growing premier luxury goods businesses,” said Finci.
“He also embodies the level of determination, drive, and passion that makes John Hardy so unique, and we're thrilled to welcome him to the family."
Prior to joining John Hardy, Schmitz was the CEO of Muirbury & Co., an independent firm he founded that develops consumer brands across several sectors.
He also served as the global CEO and chairman of the management board of Wüsthof Group, a German knives company.
Earlier in his career, Schmitz spent about 20 years at Richemont, holding various senior leadership roles at Montblanc, including president and CEO of Montblanc North America, head of supply chain management, and president and CEO of Montblanc Japan.
Schmitz also holds several director roles for luxury goods and consumer-focused brands, including Timeless Wines, Thornwillow, and Pollaro.
Reed Krakoff, creative chairman of John Hardy, said, "Patrick's successful track record gives us the utmost confidence that he will create exciting new opportunities for John Hardy. I look forward to guiding John Hardy together. With his curated expertise and strong alignment with our culture, we are confident Patrick is the right person to lead John Hardy through this next chapter."
Schmitz also expressed his excitement about joining the John Hardy team.
"John Hardy prides itself on its authenticity and community values, and I look forward to contributing to the company's success while upholding the brand's important commitment to sustainable luxury business practices and craftsmanship," he said.
"I'm excited to work closely with Reed and the rest of the talented team as we build on John Hardy's artisan heritage to accelerate growth."
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
IndependentsJun 27, 2023
London Jewelers Names New COO 
IndependentsMay 23, 2023
Pat Henneberry Joins VeerMore on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsNov 12, 2026
Greenberg’s Jewelers Welcomes New Fourth-Generation MembersThe next generation understands what makes the 126-year-old retailer special, said CEO and Co-President Elise Greenberg.
WatchesNov 12, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Now Offers Certified Pre-Owned Rolex WatchesThe curated selection is available online and at its showroom in Austin, Texas.
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look NaturalThe 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
SourcingNov 10, 2026
Botswana in Line to Take Controlling Stake in De Beers, President Says If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
