Events & AwardsOct 04, 2023
BIJC to Honor Simone I. Smith at Upcoming ‘Rock the Jewels’Events & AwardsOct 11, 2023
Matthew Tratner Joins JA New York
The industry veteran is the organization’s new group show director.
Matthew Tratner is JA New York’s new group show director.
New York—JA New York has announced Matthew Tratner will be its new group show director, a role he will step into before the upcoming JA New York Fall Show this month.
Emerald, the company that owns JA New York as well as the Couture show, cited Tratner’s strong leadership skills, his long-standing industry relationships and his “extensive experience spearheading substantive programs and initiatives” as motivation for bringing him on to direct the century-old show.
“We are thrilled that Matthew is joining JA New York as show director,” said Emerald Executive Vice President Gannon Brousseau.
“This industry is fueled by relationships, and Matthew has meaningful connections that extend throughout all facets of the jewelry industry ecosystem. His enthusiasm, coupled with his knowledge and experience, will truly be an asset to our events and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.”
Tratner succeeds longtime JA New York Group Show Director Drew Lawsky, who retired after a 29-year tenure with the show.
Related stories will be right here …
Emerald, the company that owns JA New York as well as the Couture show, cited Tratner’s strong leadership skills, his long-standing industry relationships and his “extensive experience spearheading substantive programs and initiatives” as motivation for bringing him on to direct the century-old show.
“We are thrilled that Matthew is joining JA New York as show director,” said Emerald Executive Vice President Gannon Brousseau.
“This industry is fueled by relationships, and Matthew has meaningful connections that extend throughout all facets of the jewelry industry ecosystem. His enthusiasm, coupled with his knowledge and experience, will truly be an asset to our events and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.”
Tratner succeeds longtime JA New York Group Show Director Drew Lawsky, who retired after a 29-year tenure with the show.
Prior to joining JA New York, Tratner was vice president of business development and marketing for GCAL by Sarine, a role he assumed after being part of the team that brokered the GCAL/Sarine partnership as vice president and general manager of Sarine North America.
Before his time at Sarine, Tratner was director of global business development at the Gemological Institute of America, where he created and implemented sales and marketing strategies for new and existing services like the Diamond Origin Program and the Lab-Grown Diamond Report.
Preceding that, he served as director of membership and sales for trade association and former owner of JA New York, Jewelers of America. He oversaw operations, increased annual revenue year-over-year, and grew supplier-side membership by 15 percent.
Tratner also served as publisher of National Jeweler following its acquisition by JA in 2015.
He officially will start his role as group show director Oct. 23, a week before the JA New York Fall Show, slated for Oct. 29-31 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
JA New York’s spring show, which relaunched last year after a break since 2019, is scheduled for March 10-12, 2024.
The organization announced last year it has nixed its summer show.
“I’m very excited to join JA New York as group show director,” said Tratner.
“Based on location and longevity alone, JA New York shows are uniquely positioned to be destination events for our industry. I look forward to leveraging my relationships, strengthening existing partnerships and working closely with the shows’ dedicated team to ensure that JA New York is a relied-upon resource serving the nuanced needs of this incredible industry.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to ChicagoThe opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter PresidentThe announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing DiamondsKenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.
AuctionsApr 15, 2025
23-Carat ‘Golconda Blue’ Heads to AuctionThe historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentLVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 BoardThe organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ CollectionThe collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 YearsMari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding EarringsThese earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
