Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
