MajorsOct 04, 2024
Hearts On Fire Names Gabrielle Grazi VP of Sales, North AmericaMajorsOct 30, 2024
Peggy Grosz Leaves Assael After Company Is Sold
Grosz had served as Assael’s senior vice president and creative director since 2017.
Peggy Grosz joined Assael as senior vice president and creative director in 2017. This week, she announced she has left the company and will be taking some time off before pursuing “new design challenges.”
New York—Peggy Grosz, senior vice president and creative director at Assael, announced that she has left the company following its recent sale.
Grosz, who spent seven years with Assael, said she will take a short hiatus but looks forward to new design and product development challenges.
The 78-year-old company, which sources fine pearls and coral for its high-end designs, was started by Salvador Assael, who became known as the “pearl king” after selling the first strand of fine natural color black Tahitian pearls at Harry Winston in 1978.
In 2011, when Salvador died, his wife, Christina Lang Assael, took over the company.
She brought on Grosz in 2017, who helped revive the legacy brand through innovative design, product development, and leadership, the company said.
Christina died in 2022.
No further details about Assael’s sale or its new ownership were available as of press time.
One of the new owners told National Jeweler via WhatsApp that he cannot provide information on the sale until, “all the partners meet and agree on everything internally.”
“It was an honor to modernize such an historic company and work with an unprecedented inventory of ultra-fine pearls and coral,” said Grosz.
“I was privileged to work alongside the late Christina Lang Assael with a wonderful staff and an incredible marketing team to build a brand that founder Salvador Assael would be very proud of. I am also grateful for the support of the finest retailers in the United States and the partnerships that we built together.”
Related stories will be right here …
Grosz, who spent seven years with Assael, said she will take a short hiatus but looks forward to new design and product development challenges.
The 78-year-old company, which sources fine pearls and coral for its high-end designs, was started by Salvador Assael, who became known as the “pearl king” after selling the first strand of fine natural color black Tahitian pearls at Harry Winston in 1978.
In 2011, when Salvador died, his wife, Christina Lang Assael, took over the company.
She brought on Grosz in 2017, who helped revive the legacy brand through innovative design, product development, and leadership, the company said.
Christina died in 2022.
No further details about Assael’s sale or its new ownership were available as of press time.
One of the new owners told National Jeweler via WhatsApp that he cannot provide information on the sale until, “all the partners meet and agree on everything internally.”
“It was an honor to modernize such an historic company and work with an unprecedented inventory of ultra-fine pearls and coral,” said Grosz.
“I was privileged to work alongside the late Christina Lang Assael with a wonderful staff and an incredible marketing team to build a brand that founder Salvador Assael would be very proud of. I am also grateful for the support of the finest retailers in the United States and the partnerships that we built together.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
MajorsOct 03, 2024
JA Appoints New Board Director
MajorsOct 01, 2024
Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos to RetireMore on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsMar 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yeprem’s ‘Golden Strada’ NecklaceThe statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Wixon Jewelers to Close After 37 YearsFirst-generation jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring and will close their Minneapolis-area jewelry store in May.
CollectionsMar 06, 2025
Guzema, 3.1 Phillip Lim Collab on New ‘Snake’ DesignsThe limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.
Brought to you by
Have a Plan for EmergenciesEmergencies can happen anytime, anywhere , and Jewelers of America has what you need to be prepared for it all.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Stephen Barnes Is the New Owner of IJOAfter more than 50 years, Jeff Roberts is handing over ownership of the organization to IJO President Stephen Barnes.
Weekly QuizMar 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 06, 2025
Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It’ Award Goes to JewelerSenior Jeweler Jay Wolff was named employee of the year.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Store to Close, Confirms Saks GlobalThe 111-year-old store will close following a dispute among Saks Global, a landlord, and the City of Dallas over a small piece of land.
Brought to you by
A Diamond ETF is the Way to Reinvigorate Natural Diamond SalesThe jewelry industry faces challenges from lab-grown diamonds. A diamond ETF can restore natural diamonds' value and drive investor demand.
AuctionsMar 05, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 51 ‘Alien’ WatchesThe upcoming “Area_51” watch sale is a collaboration with heist-out, featuring vintage and modern timepieces with futuristic designs.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Jewelers of America Unveils 3-Year Strategic Plan The trade organization, which will mark 120 years of service next year, has a refined focus and a new mission statement.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2025
92NY Accepting 2025 Jewelry Artist Residency ApplicationsThe application period is now open for established and emerging jewelers and metalsmiths to apply to the month-long residency program.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
4 Suspects Arrested in Fatal Armed Robbery of California Jewelry Store Uc Thí Vo, who co-owned Kim Tin Jewelry in Sacramento with her husband of 40 years, was killed during the November 2024 robbery.
CrimeMar 04, 2025
NYC Diamond Dealer Pleads Guilty to Lab-Grown Diamond SwapsManashe Sezanayev pleaded guilty to grand larceny and is expected to receive five years’ probation when he’s sentenced in May.
TrendsMar 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Peaceful and Powerful AquamarineThe March birthstone pairs perfectly with hues of Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025.
ColumnistsMar 04, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Online Events to Supercharge Sales Emmanuel Raheb shares strategies to prepare for, publicize, and engage the audience during events on platforms like TikTok and Zoom.
EditorsMar 03, 2025
Drop Necklaces, Archival Pieces Take Over at the 2025 OscarsFrom Doja Cat to Mikey Madison and Selena Gomez, many of this year’s Academy Awards attendees donned drop necklaces.
Policies & IssuesMar 03, 2025
Customs Indefinitely Postpones Requirement to Disclose Country of MiningOriginally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”
SurveysMar 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Fell in February Amid Concerns About the FutureThe recent jump in the prices of household staples, like eggs, and the potential impact of tariffs worried consumers.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2025
AGA Now Accepting Applications for Its Gemological Education Scholarship The application period for the program is now open for aspiring gemologists around the world.
CollectionsFeb 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Ironhorse Quillwork EarringsThe work of Indigenous designer Joe Big Mountain, these earrings are similar to the pair Lily Gladstone just wore to the SAG Awards.
AuctionsFeb 28, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring With Ties to Witch Trial Judge Up for Auction A metal detectorist uncovered the ring created in memory of Sir Richard Rainsford, who presided over some of England’s last witch trials.
Recorded WebinarsFeb 28, 2025
Watch: 2025 Jewelry Trends ForecastFine jewelry consultant and publicist Francesca Simons joins Amanda Gizzi and Natalie Francisco to discuss the trends set to rise this year.
TrendsFeb 27, 2025
Model Winnie Harlow Says ‘Yes’ to 3-Stone Engagement RingHarlow’s partner, NBA player Kyle Kuzma, worked with Vobara to design the ring, which features oval and pear-shaped diamonds.
MajorsFeb 27, 2025
Winona Ryder, Iman Star in New Pandora CampaignThe Danish jeweler released the next chapter of its “Be Love” campaign, which celebrates love in all its forms.
SourcingFeb 27, 2025
Gemfields Holds Mini Auction for Higher-Quality EmeraldsThe 13 lots on offer were comprised of material that previously went unsold at the miner’s November auction.
Events & AwardsFeb 27, 2025
JA to Host Workshop During Alabama Jewelers Association ConventionThe learning workshop and the convention are both scheduled to take place April 26 and 27 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Policies & IssuesFeb 26, 2025
EU Once Again Pushes Back Deadline on Diamond Traceability The EU, like the U.S., also now will require diamond importers to provide information about where exactly the diamonds were mined.
