See Who’s in JA’s 2024 ‘20 Under 40’ Class
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.

The annual list, now in its third year, recognizes young professionals who show leadership skills and a commitment to innovating jewelry retail.
Chosen by a panel of industry judges, the recipients are under the age of 40 and employed by JA member retail stores.
“Jewelers of America is thrilled to welcome the next class of the ‘20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail’ and shine a spotlight on the talented individuals in our Jewelers of America member stores nationwide. So many of these professionals are already trailblazing and leading our future forward and we look forward to being part of their journey,” said JA President and CEO David Bonaparte.
The 2024 recipients are as follows:
Milana Arsakhanova, director of sales at Bellman Jewelers in Manchester, New Hampshire;
Grace Barretti, senior marketing manager at Greenwich St. Jewelers in New York, New York;
Jesse Dikes, store manager and boutique director at Weston Jewelers Hard Rock - Hublot Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida;
Jonathan Geller, president and CEO at D. Geller & Son in Atlanta, Georgia;
Paula Gracia, regional director at Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle, Washington;
Bobbi K. Hansen, director of merchandising at Fred Meyer Jewelers in Portland, Oregon;
Ilsa Heinicke Huscher, e-commerce manager at Borsheims in Omaha, Nebraska;
William Jones IV, co-founder of Jewelry Sales Academy and chief operating officer at Sissy’s Log Cabin in Pine Bluff, Arkansas;
Viviana Langhoff, fine jewelry designer and founder of Adornment and Theory in Chicago, Illinois;
Beau Maville, vice president of sales and marketing at Dutille's Jewelry Design Studio in Lebanon, New Hampshire;
Janina Messerlian, vice president at Baxter's Fine Jewelry in Warwick, Rhode Island;
Niki Novello, Graduate Gemologist at Cleveland Jewelry Designs in Lyndhurst, Ohio;
Megan Piccione, owner and president at Megan Piccione High Jewelry in Beachwood, Ohio;
Marina Pilibosian Bozabalian, vice president at Birmingham Jewelry in Sterling Heights, Michigan;
Talon Rasmussen, director of manufacturing at Rasmussen Jewelers in Spanish Fork, Utah;
Sara Reisz Sargent, co-owner at Summerwind Jewelers & Goldsmiths in Portsmouth, New Hampshire;
Amina Sorel, CEO and founder of Amina Sorel Fine Jewelry in New York, New York;
Alysa Teichman, owner at Ylang 23 in Dallas, Texas, and Wildlike in New York, New York;
Amelia Tuttle, website manager at Day’s Jewelers in Waterville, Maine; and
Troy Underwood, vice president at Underwoods Fine Jewelers in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
For more information about each of the 20 Under 40 recipients, visit the JA website.
The Latest

Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.

Butterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.

Paul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The nonprofit has welcomed four new grantees for 2026.


Parent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.

It is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.

Sourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.

The clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.

The “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.

The event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.

Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.

Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.

Jewelry is expected to be the No. 1 gift this year in terms of dollars spent.

As star brand Gucci continues to struggle, the luxury titan plans to announce a new roadmap to return to growth.

The new category asks entrants for “exceptional” interpretations of the supplier’s 2026 color of the year, which is “Signature Red.”

The White House issued an official statement on the deal, which will eliminate tariffs on loose natural diamonds and gemstones from India.

Entries for the jewelry design competition will be accepted through March 20.

The Ohio jeweler’s new layout features a curated collection of brand boutiques to promote storytelling and host in-store events.

From heart motifs to pink pearls, Valentine’s Day is filled with jewelry imbued with love.

Prosecutors say the man attended arts and craft fairs claiming he was a third-generation jeweler who was a member of the Pueblo tribe.

New CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier shared her priorities for the Danish jewelry company this year as part of its fourth-quarter results.

Our Piece of the Week picks are these bespoke rings the “Wuthering Heights” stars have been spotted wearing during the film’s press tour.

The introduction of platinum plating will reduce its reliance on silver amid volatile price swings, said Pandora.

It would be the third impairment charge in three years on De Beers Group, which continues to grapple with a “challenging” diamond market.






















