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
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Anglo Writes Down Value of De Beers by $2.9B As anticipated, Anglo took another impairment charge on the diamond miner and marketer, which saw revenue sink 23 percent in 2024.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Harry Winston’s Son Donates Fancy Red Diamond to the SmithsonianRonald Winston is giving the 2.33-carat “Winston Red” to the Smithsonian, 67 years after his father donated the Hope Diamond.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
GJEPC Names New Chairman, Vice ChairmanKirit Bhansali, a partner in Smital Gems and chairman of India Jewellery Park, will take on the role of chairman.
Brought to you by
Get Ready for the JA New York Spring ShowThis year will feature a new MJSA Showcase and partnership with Piazza Italia.
IndependentsFeb 20, 2025
IJO Elects 4 New Board MembersAlisha Cornett, Nic Faini, Eric Stevens, and Seth Shipley have joined the organization’s board of directors for a three-year term.
Weekly QuizFeb 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeFeb 19, 2025
Brink’s to Pay $42M After Admitting to Illegally Transporting MoneyThe company has to pay the Justice Department and FinCEN for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, the U.S.’s main anti-money laundering law.
SourcingFeb 19, 2025
Diamond Mining Company CEO Steps Down Amid Sales Slump, LayoffsPetra Diamonds Ltd. CEO Richard Duffy resigned as the diamond miner reported a 30 percent drop in sales to start its fiscal year.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2025
The Smart Lab: Maximizing Your Jewelry Brand on PinterestPinterest is a potential gold mine for jewelry brands, Emmanuel Raheb writes, provided they follow these five tips.
CollectionsFeb 19, 2025
Swarovski’s NYC Flagship Celebrates Ariana Grande CollabThe store’s facade now features the iconic swan logo and campaign images of the “Wicked” star.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2025
New Customs Requirements for Diamond Imports: What We KnowBeginning in April, companies importing diamonds into the United States will have to list the country in which the diamonds were mined.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2025
A Menagerie of Fabergé Coming to Sotheby’sAround 30 whimsical Fabergé animal carvings will go up for auction at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
SourcingFeb 18, 2025
Celine Assimon Stepping Down as CEO of De Beers JewellersAssimon will be leaving at the end of February after nearly five years with De Beers.
CollectionsFeb 18, 2025
Tabayer Debuts Its First Men’s Jewelry SelectionsDesigns from the brand’s “Oera” collection have been reimagined with modern masculinity in mind.
SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana SapphiresThe wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Carolyn Rafaelian Partners with ‘Long Island Medium’ StarThe “Divinely Guided” collection, created in collaboration with Theresa Caputo, features symbols that celebrate the power of connection.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lorraine West’s Diamond ‘Open Heart’ RingShow some love on Valentine’s Day with this 14-karat yellow gold ring that features pavé diamonds.
CrimeFeb 13, 2025
Macy’s Employee Foils $1.5M Jewelry Theft The employee confronted the thief, causing the suspect to flee and leave behind the suitcases full of jewelry.
SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist Namib Desert Diamonds also put its security manager on leave following last month’s robbery that left one employee dead.
Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2025
AGTA Announces Buyer’s Choice Award Winners for Spectrum, Cutting EdgeAGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair event in Tucson and is already gearing up for next year’s show, set for Feb. 2-6, 2026.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2025
Royal Chain Releases Its Spring 2025 CatalogMore than 400 new pieces are featured in the supplier’s latest catalog.
TrendsFeb 13, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Hearts for Valentine’s DayThis curation celebrates love with heart-shaped jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
Policies & IssuesFeb 13, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires The fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
TrendsFeb 12, 2025
5 Engagement Ring Trends Expected to Rule 2025From chunky bands to vintage diamond cuts and bezel settings, these are the trends experts are seeing take over the bridal market.
EditorsFeb 12, 2025
Q&A: Marion Fasel on the History of Diamond Engagement RingsFasel discusses researching her new book, the most enduring engagement ring styles, and the diamond shape Taylor Swift will pick.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2025
De Beers Jewellers’ New High Jewelry Pays Homage to the Beauty of TreesThe “Essence of Nature, Chapter One” collection echoes trees and roots, literally and figuratively, through three sets of high jewelry.
SourcingFeb 12, 2025
SRK Announces Notable Reduction in Greenhouse Gas EmissionsLate last year, the India-based diamond manufacturer recorded emissions per carat that are 34 percent lower than the industry average.
