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.
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.
More on Independents
The Latest
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.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
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.
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.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
