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.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingFeb 05, 2026
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2026, Anglo Mulls Another WritedownIt would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.
IndependentsFeb 05, 2026
Borsheims to Undergo Massive Renovation in the Spring The Omaha jewelry store’s multi-million-dollar renovation is scheduled to begin in mid-May and take about six months.
CollectionsFeb 05, 2026
Marco Bicego’s Amethyst Collection Travels to a Purple ParadiseThe “Paradise Amethyst” collection focuses on amethyst, pink tourmaline, garnet, and 18-karat yellow gold beads.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
FinancialsFeb 05, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Reports Strong Holiday Results in Q3The retailer credited its Roberto Coin campaign, in part, for boosting its North America sales.
Weekly QuizFeb 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsFeb 04, 2026
January Jewelry Sales: More Dollars Spent, Fewer Units Sold Sherry Smith unpacks independent retailers’ January performance and gives tips for navigating the slow-growth year ahead.
TrendsFeb 04, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: February Birthstone BlissAmethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone to watch this year with its rich purple hue and affordable price point.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Marco Bicego Names New Global Marketing DirectorThe Italian jewelry company appointed Matteo Cuelli to the newly created role.
MajorsFeb 04, 2026
Frederick Goldman Updates Leadership TeamThe manufacturer said the changes are designed to improve speed, reliability, innovation, and service.
Policies & IssuesFeb 03, 2026
Tariff Relief on Horizon for India as Trump, Modi Make DealPresident Trump said he has reached a trade deal with India, which, when made official, will bring relief to the country’s diamond industry.
CollectionsFeb 03, 2026
Jade Trau Releases New Charms, Introduces RondellesThe designer’s latest collection takes inspiration from her classic designs, reimagining the motifs in new forms.
WatchesFeb 03, 2026
Casio America Calls Jersey City HomeThe watchmaker moved its U.S. headquarters to a space it said fosters creativity and forward-thinking solutions in Jersey City, New Jersey.
SourcingFeb 03, 2026
Nivoda Reveals Upgraded Gemstone MarketplaceThe company also announced a new partnership with GemGuide and the pending launch of an education-focused membership program.
GradingFeb 02, 2026
IGI to Acquire American Gemological Laboratories IGI is buying the colored gemstone grading laboratory through IGI USA, and AGL will continue to operate as its own brand.
CrimeFeb 02, 2026
Ylang 23’s Dallas Store BurglarizedThe Texas jeweler said its team is “incredibly resilient” and thanked its community for showing support.
EditorsFeb 02, 2026
Stars Choose Chokers, Elongated Earrings at 2026 GrammysFrom cool-toned metal to ring stacks, Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the jewelry trends she spotted at the Grammy Awards.
CollectionsFeb 02, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the fact that the 2026 Olympics are taking place in two different cities.
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
