MajorsJan 19, 2024
Jeffrey Cohen Takes Over as 24 Karat Club ChairMajorsJan 24, 2024
Rebecca Foerster Elected Chair of JVC Board of Directors
In addition, the organization will honor Matt Stuller with the Stanley Schechter Award at its upcoming luncheon.
Hearts On Fire North America President Rebecca Foerster will serve as chair of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s board for the 2024-2026 term.
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee has appointed new board officers for the 2024-2026 term, with Rebecca Foerster taking over as board chair.
Foerster is president of Hearts On Fire North America, a position she has held since May 2022.
Prior to that, she was president of Alrosa North America from January 2019 until the closure of that office in March 2022.
Foerster also served as the former senior vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Leo Schachter Diamonds; oversaw diamond sales and marketing as vice president for Rio Tinto’s U.S. office; and was the vice president of marketing at Frederick Goldman.
She served as president of Diamonds Do Good (DDG) for four years and currently is on the DDG executive committee as head of global partnerships.
“I am extremely honored and excited about my new role with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee,” Foerster said.
“The importance of this organization and the role it plays to support every part of our supply chain to make sure we are aware of significant issues and changes, to protect us and make sure we are compliant with ever-changing rules and legislation, has never been more relevant than today.”
Joining Foerster on the board are past Chair Jenny Luker, president of Platinum Guild International USA; First Vice President Julie Yoakum, president and chief brand merchant at Helzberg Diamonds; Second Vice President Michael Richards, vice president and chief operating officer at Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida; Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Mark Goldberg, chief financial officer of Rolex Watch USA; and Secretary and Legal Action Committee Chair Lisa Wong Lackland, general counsel at Ben Bridge Jeweler.
Related stories will be right here …
Foerster is president of Hearts On Fire North America, a position she has held since May 2022.
Prior to that, she was president of Alrosa North America from January 2019 until the closure of that office in March 2022.
Foerster also served as the former senior vice president of strategic planning and marketing for Leo Schachter Diamonds; oversaw diamond sales and marketing as vice president for Rio Tinto’s U.S. office; and was the vice president of marketing at Frederick Goldman.
She served as president of Diamonds Do Good (DDG) for four years and currently is on the DDG executive committee as head of global partnerships.
“I am extremely honored and excited about my new role with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee,” Foerster said.
“The importance of this organization and the role it plays to support every part of our supply chain to make sure we are aware of significant issues and changes, to protect us and make sure we are compliant with ever-changing rules and legislation, has never been more relevant than today.”
Joining Foerster on the board are past Chair Jenny Luker, president of Platinum Guild International USA; First Vice President Julie Yoakum, president and chief brand merchant at Helzberg Diamonds; Second Vice President Michael Richards, vice president and chief operating officer at Underwood Jewelers in Jacksonville, Florida; Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair Mark Goldberg, chief financial officer of Rolex Watch USA; and Secretary and Legal Action Committee Chair Lisa Wong Lackland, general counsel at Ben Bridge Jeweler.
In addition, JVC recently announced the 2024 recipient of the Stanley Schechter Award will be Stuller Inc. founder, chairperson, and CEO Matt G. Stuller Sr.
Presented annually, the Stanley Schechter Award goes to an individual who exemplifies industry ethics.
JVC said Stuller’s “visionary leadership” in the industry, which has spanned more than five decades, showcases “an unwavering commitment to integrity.”
In addition, his philanthropic endeavors, including The Stuller Family Foundation, Parish Proud, and Love Our Schools, highlight his commitment to the community around him.
JVC will honor Stuller at its annual luncheon, scheduled for Friday, March 8, at the Intercontinental Barclay hotel in New York.
It will begin at noon with a networking/cocktail hour.
For more information, visit the JVC website.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
