CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
IndependentsOct 07, 2016
Wax Carver James Bilello, 73, Dies in Boating Accident
The freelancer, who worked for a number of jewelers in Manhattan, was one of two men found dead after their boat capsized in the Long Island Sound this week.
Port Jefferson, N.Y.--A member of the jewelry industry was one of two men found dead after their boat capsized in the Long Island Sound this week.
Tuesday afternoon, a boater alerted the Coast Guard that there was an overturned boat just west of the sound’s Port Jefferson Channel, according to Suffolk County police.
They first recovered the body of 80-year-old Charles Petrie of Holtsville, N.Y. and then began the search for Bilello; they found the 73-year-old’s body near the lighthouse in Old Field Wednesday morning.
Bilello was a Long Island-based freelance model maker for high-end jewelers in Manhattan, devoting his time to handmade wax models for the fine jewelry trade and individual jewelry designers for more than three decades.
According to a resume found online, he worked with such companies as Dalow Industries, Kelman Casting, Andel Jewelry Corp., Jordana Creations and more.
“Jim was a joyful, loyal, sensitive and rare human being, devoted to his wife and family,” she told National Jeweler. “I am grateful to have called him friend.”
She added that, “He told corny jokes and loved to make us laugh. He had a courageous heart. Jim was a profoundly gifted wax carver and was a master at carving creatures.”
But he was so much more than a wax carver, Henry Dunay said.
The designer worked with Bilello off and on for decades, and told National Jeweler that his skills went far beyond that, knowing jewelry design and model making so well that he knew exactly how to create the perfect piece.
“He was a very special man, and he was very supportive of the people he worked for,” Dunay said. “He put his heart and soul into his work.”
Dunay’s wife, Frinette, who worked with him on a few design projects, reiterated both his dedication to his family and to the details in his work.
She said that a few times they tried to use other wax model makers but ended up coming back to Bilello because he would not only guide them to creating the perfect piece, but also listen to them to create something that was on-brand.
He was “like a teacher” in helping her understand design when she first began. “He was
an absolutely wonderful person. We are very deeply saddened by the news,” Frinette Dunay said.
Distefano Thomas, too, said, “I cannot put into words what a tremendous loss this is. When I heard the news I was saddened to the core. I cannot imagine the pain that his family is going through, as they were paramount to him. I never met a more loving soul than Jim Bilello.”
Distefano Thomas, too, said, “I cannot put into words what a tremendous loss this is. When I heard the news I was saddened to the core. I cannot imagine the pain that his family is going through, as they were paramount to him. I never met a more loving soul than Jim Bilello.”
More on Independents
The Latest
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
