MajorsOct 12, 2023
Natural Diamond Council Announces New Board ChairMajorsOct 17, 2023
Caryl Capeci Is Starboard Cruises’ New SVP
The former head of Hearts On Fire exited Chow Tai Fook North America last spring.
Previously the CEO of Chow Tai Fook North America, Caryl Capeci is now the senior vice president of fine jewelry and watches for Starboard Cruise Services.
Miami—Jewelry industry veteran Caryl Capeci has joined LVMH company Starboard Cruise Services as its new senior vice president, fine jewelry and watches.
Capeci joined the at-sea retail curator as a strategic advisor earlier this year.
Her appointment is part of Starboard’s strategy to strengthen its senior leadership team as an investment in the positive outlook of the cruise industry, which it said has “come back stronger than ever.”
Currently, the company has more than 750 product brand partners.
“With the strong rebound of the cruise industry, luxury retail at sea is perfectly positioned to capture a greater share of the fine jewelry and watch market, providing brands a highly unique and experiential approach to retail,” the company said.
Capeci brings experience in both the jewelry and cruise industries, having led agency marketing teams for DeBeers Diamonds at JWT and Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises as an executive vice president at Havas/Arnold.
She comes to Starboard from Chow Tai Fook North America (CTFNA), parent company of Hearts On Fire and Mémoire, where she was CEO until last year.
Before that, she held multiple leadership positions at Hearts On Fire, including her time as president from 2016 until her CEO appointment with CTFNA in 2019.
Benito Mendez was also announced as Starboard’s new vice president of merchandising and planning.
Mendez is returning to the company, having previously spent 16 years with Starboard in multiple senior roles.
He comes back to the cruise retailer from leading retail strategy, product development, ecommerce and licensing for global entertainment company Hard Rock International. He began his career in the executive management program at Macy’s, where he held various merchandising positions.
As vice president of merchandising and planning, Mendez is charged with leading Starboard’s global merchandising strategy, working closely with its portfolio of product brand partners.
“Caryl and Benito’s robust experience in their respective fields are key additions to our leadership team to help drive our continued growth. Caryl’s unique leadership background in the jewelry industry, combined with the high demand for luxury retail offerings and experiences onboard, made her transition into the Starboard family very organic,” said Lisa Bauer, president and CEO of Starboard.
“We are thrilled to welcome Benito back. His significant cruise retail experience, diverse skill set, leadership abilities and passion for excellence are a perfect fit for our leadership team.”
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
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.
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist TrialAging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinThe WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for AuctionThe platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored GemstonesGet a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.
CrimeMay 23, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ RingFrom Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification SystemThe lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the SpotlightSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO ShowDavid Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14% The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.
IndependentsMay 22, 2025
Adeler Jewelers Celebrates 50 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Announce JudgesThe nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.
MajorsMay 22, 2025
MJSA Releases 2025-2026 Buyer’s GuideThis year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.
CollectionsMay 21, 2025
Bulgari Highlights Its Colorful Past in Phenomenal ‘Polychroma’ CollectionThe jeweler’s high jewelry collection features extraordinary gemstones, like a 241.06-carat emerald and the world’s fourth-largest spinel.
ColumnistsMay 21, 2025
Edahn’s Take: Analyzing the 2025 ‘$100 Million Supersellers’ List In a special column for the State of the Majors, Edahn Golan breaks down what the top-performing fine jewelry sellers are doing right.
