CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
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
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing DirectorAmit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEODiamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
