SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
IndependentsMar 07, 2024
‘Old-School’ Jewelry Salesman Eddie Grove Dies at 81
The Pennsylvania native, who sold for Gumuchian and others, is remembered for being kind and outgoing.
Eddie Grove, who worked in the industry as a traveling salesman for 35 years, died unexpectedly in January. Friends and loved ones remember him for his skills as a salesman, kindness, and integrity.
York, Pa.—Eddie Grove, an “old-school” traveling jewelry salesman who spent more than three decades on the road, died earlier this year of cardiac arrest.
He was 81.
Born Oct. 25, 1942, in York, Pennsylvania, Grove started working in retail after high school before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
He served in Germany before returning to the United States and finding a job at Shaffner’s, a jewelry store that was an institution in York.
There, Grove met different salesmen as they came in off the road to offer their lines to the store.
He also traveled to New York City with the store manager and made more connections there, connections that led to the next phase of his career—traveling jewelry salesman.
Grove spent 35 years on the road selling for companies based in New York, including 13 years with Gumuchian.
Myriam Gumuchian said Grove was one of her longest-serving sales reps, working for the company from 1994 until his retirement in 2007. He sold up and down the East Coast and in the Midwest as well.
She described him as an “old-school road warrior”-type who was committed to his customers and moved quickly. He never wasted time when he thought he could make a sale, earning him the nickname “Fast Eddie.”
“He was genuinely a guy who loved this industry with a passion,” Gumuchian said.
While Grove’s travels took him all over, longtime partner Sue Bond said he remained a resident of York, the south central Pennsylvania town where they both grew up, his entire life.
Bond described him as an intelligent man who always had a twinkle in his eye. He loved to talk and be social, was full of energy, and was a great friend to people.
He also was, according to Bond, eclectic in his tastes.
Grove loved fine dining and shopping.
One of his longtime customers, now-retired jeweler Jim Alperin, said Grove loved clothes and whenever he heard a men’s clothing store was going out of business, he would offer to buy all the ties.
When calling on customers, he’d lay out all the ties and tell them to pick one for themselves.
“It’s because of that that I have a beautiful collection of ties that I no longer wear now that I’m retired,” Alperin said.
Grove also collected prints by American painter and illustrator Maxfield Parrish, who was known for his neo-classical style, and glass works by René Lalique, the French jewelry designer and glass artist.
His collection of Lalique glass was so extensive that it will be going up for auction at Cordier Auctions in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the near future, Bond said.
“He was unique,” she recalled with a laugh.
In addition to Bond, Grove is survived by a sister, Janlyn Simmons of York, and a brother, Scott Grove of San Francisco.
He was 81.
Born Oct. 25, 1942, in York, Pennsylvania, Grove started working in retail after high school before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
He served in Germany before returning to the United States and finding a job at Shaffner’s, a jewelry store that was an institution in York.
There, Grove met different salesmen as they came in off the road to offer their lines to the store.
He also traveled to New York City with the store manager and made more connections there, connections that led to the next phase of his career—traveling jewelry salesman.
Grove spent 35 years on the road selling for companies based in New York, including 13 years with Gumuchian.
Myriam Gumuchian said Grove was one of her longest-serving sales reps, working for the company from 1994 until his retirement in 2007. He sold up and down the East Coast and in the Midwest as well.
She described him as an “old-school road warrior”-type who was committed to his customers and moved quickly. He never wasted time when he thought he could make a sale, earning him the nickname “Fast Eddie.”
“He was genuinely a guy who loved this industry with a passion,” Gumuchian said.
While Grove’s travels took him all over, longtime partner Sue Bond said he remained a resident of York, the south central Pennsylvania town where they both grew up, his entire life.
Bond described him as an intelligent man who always had a twinkle in his eye. He loved to talk and be social, was full of energy, and was a great friend to people.
He also was, according to Bond, eclectic in his tastes.
Grove loved fine dining and shopping.
One of his longtime customers, now-retired jeweler Jim Alperin, said Grove loved clothes and whenever he heard a men’s clothing store was going out of business, he would offer to buy all the ties.
When calling on customers, he’d lay out all the ties and tell them to pick one for themselves.
“It’s because of that that I have a beautiful collection of ties that I no longer wear now that I’m retired,” Alperin said.
Grove also collected prints by American painter and illustrator Maxfield Parrish, who was known for his neo-classical style, and glass works by René Lalique, the French jewelry designer and glass artist.
His collection of Lalique glass was so extensive that it will be going up for auction at Cordier Auctions in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the near future, Bond said.
“He was unique,” she recalled with a laugh.
In addition to Bond, Grove is survived by a sister, Janlyn Simmons of York, and a brother, Scott Grove of San Francisco.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
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.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
