MajorsJan 17, 2024
Nan Lung Palmer, Donatella Zappieri Join Hill & Co. 
Jennifer Hammond of Signet Jewelers has been elected as board chair for nonprofit jewelry education organization Diamond Council of America.
New York–Diamond Council of America (DCA), a nonprofit organization that provides education and professional certifications in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales, has expanded its team.
Jennifer Hammond, Signet Jewelers’ divisional vice president of store operations for Kay Jewelers and Zales, was elected as DCA board chair. Hammond will serve a two-year term.
Joseph Corey, president of Day’s Jewelers, was elected to a two-year term as director.
“I am elated to welcome Jennifer Hammond as the DCA board chair. She has tremendous experience in the field that will help propel DCA forward,” said DCA President and CEO Terry Chandler.
“I look forward to having her lead the board of directors and, in turn, allow DCA to better serve the jewelry industry. I am also happy to welcome Joseph Corey to the board.”
In her role at Signet, Hammond leads over 1,800 store teams. She has over 26 years of experience in retail and began working at Signet in 2004.
During her tenure with Signet, Hammond has received leadership awards including District Manager of the Year.
She attributes her career growth and success to building great teams, making significant investments into their training and development, while encouraging collaboration and diversity, DCA said.
Related stories will be right here …
Jennifer Hammond, Signet Jewelers’ divisional vice president of store operations for Kay Jewelers and Zales, was elected as DCA board chair. Hammond will serve a two-year term.
Joseph Corey, president of Day’s Jewelers, was elected to a two-year term as director.
“I am elated to welcome Jennifer Hammond as the DCA board chair. She has tremendous experience in the field that will help propel DCA forward,” said DCA President and CEO Terry Chandler.
“I look forward to having her lead the board of directors and, in turn, allow DCA to better serve the jewelry industry. I am also happy to welcome Joseph Corey to the board.”
In her role at Signet, Hammond leads over 1,800 store teams. She has over 26 years of experience in retail and began working at Signet in 2004.
During her tenure with Signet, Hammond has received leadership awards including District Manager of the Year.
She attributes her career growth and success to building great teams, making significant investments into their training and development, while encouraging collaboration and diversity, DCA said.
Corey has been involved in the jewelry business from a young age, learning from his parents at Day’s Jewelers.
The eight-store chain, located in Maine and New Hampshire, was founded in 1914 and bought by Corey’s parents in 1988. It has 135 employees.
Corey, now responsible for the oversight of all company operations as president, was first hired in 2006 as a service specialist. He took over the role of president in January 2021, and Day’s Jewelers became an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) in November of that year.
He also serves on JCK Las Vegas Show’s Advisory Board and the Jewelers for Children (JFC) Board of Directors.
The Corey family will be honored by JFC at its Facets of Hope event at the 2024 Las Vegas shows.
The membership elected the remainder of Board of DCA as follows:
Vice Chair, David Bonaparte, Jewelers of America;
Vice Chair, Bill Luth, Kay Jewelers;
Secretary/Treasurer, Julie Keeney, Fred Meyer Jewelers;
Past Chair, Chuck Kuba, Iowa Diamond;
Director, Mike Blank, Riddle’s Jewelry;
Director, Bud Fluty, Absolute Brilliance, Inc.; and
Director, Steve Velasquez, Madison Jewelers.
For more information about DCA, to enroll in DCA courses or to become a member, visit the DCA website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
