Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
MajorsOct 03, 2023
Hedda Schupak, Longtime Industry Editor, Dies at 62
She was the former editor-in-chief of JCK magazine and the Centurion newsletter and is remembered for her honesty and loyalty.
Hedda Schupak, editor of the Centurion Newsletter and former editor-in-chief of JCK Magazine, died Tuesday morning of lung cancer. (Photo courtesy of Russ Shor)
New York—Longtime jewelry industry journalist Hedda Schupak died Tuesday morning at a Philadelphia-area hospital of complications from lung cancer.
She was 62.
Longtime friend and fellow industry editor Russ Shor confirmed the news to National Jeweler.
Schupak studied fashion design at Drexel University, later transferring to Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a degree in English and communications.
Shor first met Schupak 37 years ago, when she started as assistant production manager at JCK Magazine, then published out of Radnor, Pennsylvania.
In 1997, she became the publication’s fashion editor.
“Fashion design was her real passion,” Shor said, and she pushed the industry to see jewelry as more of a fashion accessory and to market it to women interested in buying jewelry for themselves.
For a 2019 National Jeweler article asking members of the industry to weigh in on the biggest developments of the past decade, Schupak listed the industry’s recognition of female self-purchasers as one of them.
She noted the importance of, “the industry finally, FINALLY starting to acknowledge how important it is to sell jewelry as fashion to a female self-purchase audience.”
Schupak rose to become editor-in-chief of JCK Magazine in 2000 and remained in that role until 2009.
In 2010, she became editor of the Centurion Newsletter before announcing her “semi-retirement” last year, telling JCK News Editor Rob Bates that leaving the jewelry industry was “bittersweet.”
“I have just been fortunate to have had such a great career in such a great industry,” she said in the article published on JCKOnline.com. “I’ve had a lot of opportunities to travel around the world, and to meet people from so many places. I just feel very blessed.”
Schupak resided in suburban Philadelphia with her husband, Jim Baum, and their five cats. Baum just retired from First Union Bank.
“They had all these plans,” Shor said. “They were just going to live a good retired life.”
National Jeweler will have more on Schupak’s life and career, including information on funeral services as they become available.
Anyone with memories of Schupak they would like to share may email National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff at michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
She was 62.
Longtime friend and fellow industry editor Russ Shor confirmed the news to National Jeweler.
Schupak studied fashion design at Drexel University, later transferring to Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a degree in English and communications.
Shor first met Schupak 37 years ago, when she started as assistant production manager at JCK Magazine, then published out of Radnor, Pennsylvania.
In 1997, she became the publication’s fashion editor.
“Fashion design was her real passion,” Shor said, and she pushed the industry to see jewelry as more of a fashion accessory and to market it to women interested in buying jewelry for themselves.
For a 2019 National Jeweler article asking members of the industry to weigh in on the biggest developments of the past decade, Schupak listed the industry’s recognition of female self-purchasers as one of them.
She noted the importance of, “the industry finally, FINALLY starting to acknowledge how important it is to sell jewelry as fashion to a female self-purchase audience.”
Schupak rose to become editor-in-chief of JCK Magazine in 2000 and remained in that role until 2009.
In 2010, she became editor of the Centurion Newsletter before announcing her “semi-retirement” last year, telling JCK News Editor Rob Bates that leaving the jewelry industry was “bittersweet.”
“I have just been fortunate to have had such a great career in such a great industry,” she said in the article published on JCKOnline.com. “I’ve had a lot of opportunities to travel around the world, and to meet people from so many places. I just feel very blessed.”
Schupak resided in suburban Philadelphia with her husband, Jim Baum, and their five cats. Baum just retired from First Union Bank.
“They had all these plans,” Shor said. “They were just going to live a good retired life.”
National Jeweler will have more on Schupak’s life and career, including information on funeral services as they become available.
Anyone with memories of Schupak they would like to share may email National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff at michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
