Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
IndependentsJan 27, 2017
National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame Returns
John Henne, Sissy Jones and Jean-Christophe Bédos of Birks Group are the jewelers who comprise the 2017 class of inductees.
The 2017 inductees into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame are, from left to right, John Henne, Sissy Jones and Jean-Christophe Bédos.
New York--National Jeweler is bringing back yet another popular feature.
For the first time in five years, the jewelry trade magazine is naming jewelers to its Retailer Hall of Fame and honoring them with a special issue that will be published in mid-May.
National Jeweler first introduced the Retailer Hall of Fame in 1989 as a way to recognize jewelers who have made significant contributions to jewelry retailing and inspired their peers.
Each year between 1989 and 2012, the publication inducted retailers in three categories based on their store’s size: single-store independent, multi-store independent and majors.
For 2017, the inductees are as follows.
-- Single-store independent: John Henne, Henne Jewelers, Pittsburgh
-- Multi-store independent: Sissy Jones, Sissy’s Log Cabin, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
-- Majors: Jean-Christophe Bédos, Birks Group Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Henne is the owner and president of Henne Jewelers in Pittsburgh and is the fourth generation to run the store that his great-grandfather, Rudolph Joseph Henne, opened in 1887.
Located in the city’s upscale Shadyside neighborhood, Henne Jewelers has been named the “Best Jeweler” in the city by Pittsburgh Magazine every year since 2009 and, under Henne’s leadership, the store also has been honored for its ethics and workplace culture.
Henne serves as the chair-elect of Jewelers of America’s board of directors.
Jones opened an antiques and jewelry store in a literal log cabin in 1970 and since has grown the business to four stores, in Pine Bluff, Jonesboro and Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee.
Over the course of her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the Arkansas Jewelers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Retailer of the Year Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association and the 2015 Arkansan of the Year award from Easter Seals.
She also is an inductee into another Hall of Fame, that of the WJA, which honored Jones at its event this past July.
Bédos started his career in the jewelry industry 29 years ago at Cartier, rising to become the iconic brand’s managing director in France between 2002 and 2004 and international executive manager alongside the president of parent company Richemont from 2000 to 2002.
From May 2004 to June 2011, he was the president and CEO of Boucheron International, which is owned by Kering (formerly PPR).
Birks hired Bédos as its new president and CEO in April 2012.
The company, which ranks No. 21 on the 2016 $100 Million Supersellers and No. 22 on the Top 50 Retail Jewelry Chains by store count lists, operates Birks stores in Canada and as well as Mayors stores in the southeastern United States.
For the first time in five years, the jewelry trade magazine is naming jewelers to its Retailer Hall of Fame and honoring them with a special issue that will be published in mid-May.
National Jeweler first introduced the Retailer Hall of Fame in 1989 as a way to recognize jewelers who have made significant contributions to jewelry retailing and inspired their peers.
Each year between 1989 and 2012, the publication inducted retailers in three categories based on their store’s size: single-store independent, multi-store independent and majors.
For 2017, the inductees are as follows.
-- Single-store independent: John Henne, Henne Jewelers, Pittsburgh
-- Multi-store independent: Sissy Jones, Sissy’s Log Cabin, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
-- Majors: Jean-Christophe Bédos, Birks Group Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Henne is the owner and president of Henne Jewelers in Pittsburgh and is the fourth generation to run the store that his great-grandfather, Rudolph Joseph Henne, opened in 1887.
Located in the city’s upscale Shadyside neighborhood, Henne Jewelers has been named the “Best Jeweler” in the city by Pittsburgh Magazine every year since 2009 and, under Henne’s leadership, the store also has been honored for its ethics and workplace culture.
Henne serves as the chair-elect of Jewelers of America’s board of directors.
Jones opened an antiques and jewelry store in a literal log cabin in 1970 and since has grown the business to four stores, in Pine Bluff, Jonesboro and Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee.
Over the course of her career, she has received numerous accolades, including the Arkansas Jewelers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Retailer of the Year Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association and the 2015 Arkansan of the Year award from Easter Seals.
She also is an inductee into another Hall of Fame, that of the WJA, which honored Jones at its event this past July.
Bédos started his career in the jewelry industry 29 years ago at Cartier, rising to become the iconic brand’s managing director in France between 2002 and 2004 and international executive manager alongside the president of parent company Richemont from 2000 to 2002.
From May 2004 to June 2011, he was the president and CEO of Boucheron International, which is owned by Kering (formerly PPR).
Birks hired Bédos as its new president and CEO in April 2012.
The company, which ranks No. 21 on the 2016 $100 Million Supersellers and No. 22 on the Top 50 Retail Jewelry Chains by store count lists, operates Birks stores in Canada and as well as Mayors stores in the southeastern United States.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
