Events & AwardsAug 15, 2024
Heather Ingraham Awarded WJA Helene Fortunoff Scholarship MajorsAug 20, 2024
Kathy Hillelson Joins Board of WJA Foundation
Hillelson is a second-generation diamantaire and CEO of Owl Financial Group.
Owl Financial Group CEO Kathy Hillelson has joined the board of the Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation, a charitable organization that offers scholarships and grants to professionals in the jewelry and watch industries.
New York—The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation announced last week that a new industry professional has joined its board.
Kathy Hillelson is the CEO of Owl Financial Group, a provider of asset-back financing to the diamond trade.
She is also a second-generation diamantaire who manages the global buying and selling of diamonds and jewelry for her family’s business, Blue River Gems Inc.
Hillelson is an active member of the World Diamond Council and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. Her contributions to advancing industry standards and practices are widely recognized, WJA said.
Outside of work, she is an avid traveler and is committed to supporting charitable causes, particularly those that benefit children.
Related stories will be right here …
Kathy Hillelson is the CEO of Owl Financial Group, a provider of asset-back financing to the diamond trade.
She is also a second-generation diamantaire who manages the global buying and selling of diamonds and jewelry for her family’s business, Blue River Gems Inc.
Hillelson is an active member of the World Diamond Council and the Jewelers Vigilance Committee. Her contributions to advancing industry standards and practices are widely recognized, WJA said.
Outside of work, she is an avid traveler and is committed to supporting charitable causes, particularly those that benefit children.
“Kathy’s lifelong connection to the diamond industry and her deep-rooted passion for fine jewelry bring a fresh and inspiring energy to our team,” WJA Foundation President Nikia Levesque-Meyer said.
“Growing up in a world where diamonds and jewelry were a part of everyday life, she has developed a dynamic blend of expertise and intuition that will greatly benefit our mission of empowering women throughout the industry. I am excited to welcome Kathy to the board and look forward to the remarkable contributions she will undoubtedly make.”
The WJA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that offers a variety of scholarships and grants to professionals in the jewelry and watch industries.
These include the scholarship established earlier this year in honor of the late Hedda Schupak and the Helene Fortunoff Women in Retail Scholarship, created in 2023.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
AuctionsJan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Bracelet Outshines Estimate at U.K. AuctionThe auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.
CollectionsJan 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Good Luck Charm for 2025The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2025
Facets of Fire Has a Diamond Challenge for RetailersFor every jeweler who tries their luck, the company will make a donation to Jewelers for Children.
Weekly QuizJan 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. CollectionFive new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2025
Registration Open for Converge 2025The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year DownWatch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for USOlivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
SurveysJan 29, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips for Second Consecutive Month It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.
Events & AwardsJan 29, 2025
Chris Ploof To Teach Mokume Gane at AJSThe jewelry designer and master metalsmith will present on the ancient Japanese metalworking technique at the Atlanta Jewelry Show in March.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
WFDB Joins Efforts to Promote Natural Diamonds With New CampaignThe “Moments” social media campaign emphasizes the emotional ties between natural diamonds and life’s special milestones.
CollectionsJan 28, 2025
Bliss Lau Celebrates the Intricate Mosaic of Identity in New CollectionThe versatile “As We Are” collection features 14 pieces with interlocking designs allowing for 27 different looks worn around the body.
SourcingJan 28, 2025
Botswana’s First Olympic Gold Medalist Is Now a De Beers Ambassador Letsile Tebogo will help to promote natural diamonds and the good they have done for his country.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
NouvelleBox Show Returns to New York CityThe showcase, in its second year, will feature more than 20 international brands at its curated event from Feb. 2-4.
Recorded WebinarsJan 28, 2025
Watch: Fine Jewelry Market Predictions for 2025 “My Next Question” guests Sherry Smith and Edahn Golan share their 2025 forecasts, from sales and marketing to what retailers should stock.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Le Vian Corp. Chairman Larry LeVian, a Man of Faith and Family, Dies at 73 LeVian is remembered for his leadership in the jewelry industry and for being a selfless and compassionate person.
CrimeJan 27, 2025
New Jersey Jeweler Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years for Evading CustomsMonishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah pleaded guilty to evading customs on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.
SourcingJan 27, 2025
Dev Shetty To Head New Auction House for Rare Colored GemsJemora Gemhouse’s inaugural auction, slated for March, will take place in Dubai and feature polished sapphires.
CollectionsJan 27, 2025
Rachel Quinn Embodies Feelings of Falling in Love in New CollectionQuinn partnered with Gemfields to create “Crazy Love,” which features Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies across 10 pieces.
MajorsJan 27, 2025
Arch Crown’s 2025 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is Out Now The catalog is 48 pages and features more than 100 styles.
CollectionsJan 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ashley Zhang Jewelry’s Lunar New Year NecklaceThe one-of-a-kind necklace was designed in celebration of the Chinese New Year, as 2025 is the Year of the Snake.
SourcingJan 24, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Tucson The gemstone show is slated to take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
