MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court RulesA federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.
SourcingDec 03, 2024
Gemstone Cutter Glenn Lehrer Dies at 71
An innovative artist inspired by the natural world, Lehrer is remembered for being a visionary and a shining light.
Gemstone artist Glenn Lehrer, founder of Lehrer Designs Studio, died on Nov. 27 at age 71.
Larkspur, Calif.—Award-winning gemstone cutter and carver Glenn Lehrer died on Nov. 27, following a battle with cancer.
He was 71 years old.
A tribute written by his family was posted to Lehrer’s Facebook profile by Lehrer Designs Studio, the company he founded in 1980.
The post inspired an outpouring of love from the jewelry design and lapidary artist communities, several of whom noted the impact of Lehrer’s passion, kindness, talent, and beautiful soul.
Lehrer was born March 3, 1953, in California. He developed a passion for art and adventure early in life, according to the tribute.
His nearly 50-year career in gemstone carving and jewelry design began in the 1970s, when he traveled to India and established a spiritual connection to crystals and gemstones.
Lehrer was a largely self-taught lapidarist and goldsmith.
In college, he studied crystallography, gemology, and mineralogy, and in 1979, he received his graduate gemology degree in residence from the Gemological Institute of America, according to an “About” page on the Lehrer Designs website.
He was passionate about innovation and blending science and art.
Lehrer invented new gemstone cuts, including the patented TorusRing, a modern, faceted gemstone with a hole in the middle designed for setting another gemstone in.
He also enjoyed co-creating with other artists, including Mark Schneider, Paula Crevoshay, Gordon Aatlo, Kent Raible, Connie May, Marianne Hunter, and others.
Notably, he worked with fellow artist Lawrence Stoller to create the monumental rutilated quartz sculpture “Bahia,” weighing 426 lbs. It has been on exhibition at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History, and currently, it hangs in the lobby of the GIA Carlsbad campus.
He was 71 years old.
A tribute written by his family was posted to Lehrer’s Facebook profile by Lehrer Designs Studio, the company he founded in 1980.
The post inspired an outpouring of love from the jewelry design and lapidary artist communities, several of whom noted the impact of Lehrer’s passion, kindness, talent, and beautiful soul.
Lehrer was born March 3, 1953, in California. He developed a passion for art and adventure early in life, according to the tribute.
His nearly 50-year career in gemstone carving and jewelry design began in the 1970s, when he traveled to India and established a spiritual connection to crystals and gemstones.
Lehrer was a largely self-taught lapidarist and goldsmith.
In college, he studied crystallography, gemology, and mineralogy, and in 1979, he received his graduate gemology degree in residence from the Gemological Institute of America, according to an “About” page on the Lehrer Designs website.
He was passionate about innovation and blending science and art.
Lehrer invented new gemstone cuts, including the patented TorusRing, a modern, faceted gemstone with a hole in the middle designed for setting another gemstone in.
He also enjoyed co-creating with other artists, including Mark Schneider, Paula Crevoshay, Gordon Aatlo, Kent Raible, Connie May, Marianne Hunter, and others.
Notably, he worked with fellow artist Lawrence Stoller to create the monumental rutilated quartz sculpture “Bahia,” weighing 426 lbs. It has been on exhibition at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History, and currently, it hangs in the lobby of the GIA Carlsbad campus.
Creating the quartz sculpture “Bahia” embodied Lehrer’s dedication to honoring the inherent beauty of crystals, while pushing the boundaries of creative expression, said a tribute written by his family.
Lehrer’s “Maine Phoenix,” circa 1989, features tourmaline that originated from a famous pegmatite in the state of Maine and is permanently housed at the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. (Photo credit: Harold and Erica Van Pelt)
Lehrer made this piece, “Ice Angel,” in collaboration with Paula Crevoshay. It features a 199-carat aquamarine from Ukraine, as well as moonstone, blue zircon, star sapphire, and diamonds. His nephew Thomas Jeffrey said it was Lehrer’s favorite.
Crevoshay posted to Lehrer’s Facebook page saying, “We cherish our precious memories of all the wonderful times we spent with Glenn and Sharon dreaming up new projects and collaborating on bringing them to fruition. Glenn was noble of spirit, kind and generous, and an artistic genius. Our whole world is enriched by his legacy.”
Lehrer won numerous awards for his designs, including several American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum and Cutting Edge lapidary awards.
His work has also been featured on the covers of industry trade magazine the Lapidary Journal several times, and his gemstone carvings and jewelry designs are in museums and private collections worldwide.
Lehrer loved to share his passion, appearing on television programs such as QVC and Gemporia for his gem cutting knowledge.
He also authored the 2016 book, “In Quest of the Indescribable: The Artistry and Life of a Gem Carver.”
Lehrer volunteered his time to the jewelry industry in several ways.
He was a member of AGTA and served on the board of directors for 10 years, where, as chair of the constitution committee, he contributed to the re-writing of AGTA's constitution and bylaws, according to the Lehrer Designs website.
Lehrer was given a lifetime honorary membership with the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) for his work consulting with the board and staff to re-write and update their constitution and bylaws, the web page said.
He also served on the board of trustees for UK-based nonprofit Colourful Life Foundation, an organization committed to helping improve health and education initiatives and foster sound environmental practices in gemstone mining and cutting communities in the developing world, the Lehrer Designs website said.
Lehrer’s work was inspired by the natural world around him.
Growing up riding a longboard in Los Angeles later turned to surfing on the coast of Northern California, particularly Rodeo Beach and Fort Cronkhite near the Golden Gate Bridge, where Lehrer was inspired by the fluidity and motion of waves in the ocean.
The exhilaration and peace he found in its rhythm influenced the sense of movement and natural beauty seen in his creations.
In addition to surfing, Lehrer had a deep love of horseback riding, finding a sense of peace and connection to the natural world through exploring coastal trails. He was member of the National Park Service’s horse patrol for the Marin Headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Lehrer had a deep and abiding love for his wife of 45 years, Sharon, and considered their partnership a cornerstone of his life, the tribute said.
Family was central to his life; he cherished his childhood, often speaking of how his older brother Wayne constantly inspired and encouraged him to pursue his passions.
Lehrer is survived by his wife, Sharon; his two brothers, Harvey and Wayne; and a handful of nephews and nieces, as well as many friends, colleagues, and admirers.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages readers to contact GIA about creating a scholarship in honor of Lehrer.
Donations can be made directly to GIA in remembrance of Lehrer at scholarship@gia.edu.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to RetireBernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
