EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock MansionStep inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
IndependentsFeb 16, 2024
Mary Ball Gorman of Henry B. Ball Jewelers Dies at 99
Gorman was an industry trailblazer, serving as the first female treasurer of Jewelers of America.
Mary Ball Gorman, industry trailblazer and owner of Henry B. Ball Jewelers in Akron, Ohio, died Wednesday at age 99.
Akron, Ohio—Mary Frances Ball Gorman, longtime owner of Henry B. Ball Jewelers in Akron, Ohio, died Feb. 14.
She was 99.
Gorman was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on Sept. 9, 1924.
At the age of 24, she joined her first husband, W. Henry “Skip” Ball, at his family jewelry business, Henry B. Ball Co. His father, Henry B. Ball, opened the store in 1915.
Gorman worked in the family store for nearly 70 years, collecting numerous titles and degrees throughout her tenure.
She received her Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America, and earned the titles of Registered Jeweler, Certified Gemologist, and Certified Gemologist Appraiser from the American Gem Society.
She also earned the title of Master Graduate Gemologist from the Independent Jewelers Organization and completed the International Society of Appraisers’ core courses.
“She was an authority in the industry, was often the only woman in a room full of men at national meetings, paving the way in a man’s industry, and rising to sole owner and president of the family business as a single mother of six in 1971 when her husband, Skip, died,” according to her online obituary.
In 1973, she married Tom Gorman, a diamond wholesaler. He died in 1979.
Gorman was a world traveler, visiting various mines in Tanzania, sapphire mines in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), opal mines in Australia, pearl beds in Japan, and diamond mines in South Africa.
She served on the boards of a variety of industry organizations including AGS, Jewelers of America, and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. In 1996, she was appointed to a three-year term as JA board treasurer, the first woman to hold the position.
She was president of the Ohio Jewelers Association and the Ohio Guild of the AGS.
She also served as AGS Conclave chairman from 1988 through 1993 and was a contributor to JCK magazine.
Gorman is survived by sons James Ball, Thomas Ball, and Robert (Patricia) Ball; daughters Barbara (John) Dietrich and Nancy (Patrick) Martin Looby; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Skip and Tom; a son, Damian Ball; and her 12 brothers and sisters.
A service will be held Feb. 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church followed by a burial mass at Rose Hill Burial Park.
She was 99.
Gorman was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on Sept. 9, 1924.
At the age of 24, she joined her first husband, W. Henry “Skip” Ball, at his family jewelry business, Henry B. Ball Co. His father, Henry B. Ball, opened the store in 1915.
Gorman worked in the family store for nearly 70 years, collecting numerous titles and degrees throughout her tenure.
She received her Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America, and earned the titles of Registered Jeweler, Certified Gemologist, and Certified Gemologist Appraiser from the American Gem Society.
She also earned the title of Master Graduate Gemologist from the Independent Jewelers Organization and completed the International Society of Appraisers’ core courses.
“She was an authority in the industry, was often the only woman in a room full of men at national meetings, paving the way in a man’s industry, and rising to sole owner and president of the family business as a single mother of six in 1971 when her husband, Skip, died,” according to her online obituary.
In 1973, she married Tom Gorman, a diamond wholesaler. He died in 1979.
Gorman was a world traveler, visiting various mines in Tanzania, sapphire mines in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), opal mines in Australia, pearl beds in Japan, and diamond mines in South Africa.
She served on the boards of a variety of industry organizations including AGS, Jewelers of America, and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. In 1996, she was appointed to a three-year term as JA board treasurer, the first woman to hold the position.
She was president of the Ohio Jewelers Association and the Ohio Guild of the AGS.
She also served as AGS Conclave chairman from 1988 through 1993 and was a contributor to JCK magazine.
Gorman is survived by sons James Ball, Thomas Ball, and Robert (Patricia) Ball; daughters Barbara (John) Dietrich and Nancy (Patrick) Martin Looby; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Skip and Tom; a son, Damian Ball; and her 12 brothers and sisters.
A service will be held Feb. 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church followed by a burial mass at Rose Hill Burial Park.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl StudsThese punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise DiamondsThe company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry CatalogSponsored by Tasha R
Weekly QuizNov 21, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2MThree Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund RequestsA federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ CollectionCynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San FranciscoThe new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax FraudThe auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability FocusThe four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New CollectionThe “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation EffortsThe money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsThe event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry StoreLocal reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
AuctionsNov 19, 2024
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry SaleA collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYCThe Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s RebrandHampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry WeekThe group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra ScottThe collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition ReturnsThis year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
