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
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
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.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
