SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75
Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
Frank Circelli, the founder of Gem Shopping Network and president and owner of gemstone wholesale company Bellagem Inc., died last week at age 75. This photo of him was taken more than 20 years ago at the original Gem Shopping Network studio. (Photo courtesy of Bellagem Inc.)
Duluth, Ga.—Gem Shopping Network founder Frank M. Circelli, who was known for his passion for gemstones and his big personality, died Dec. 10.
He was 75.
An executive at Bellagem Inc., Circelli’s wholesale gemstone business in Duluth, Georgia, shared details of his passing with National Jeweler.
Born Sept. 5, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, Circelli’s love for fossils, minerals, and the natural sciences started at a young age.
In 1983, he earned his graduate gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America and frequently was heard saying, “I’m blessed that my hobby became my business.”
Described as an innovator in gemology, Circelli first went on the air with gemstones in the mid-‘90s, hosting a weekend show called “Gemstones with Frank,” which his obituary describes as the first colored gemstone show on television.
In 1997, a weekend show became much more when he launched the 24-hour live Gem Shopping Network.
One of the current Gem Shopping Network hosts, speaking on behalf of the team, called Circelli a “pioneer” in the world of TV shopping, as his network was the first to sell high-end jewelry on TV.
Circelli also was the first person to put loose tanzanite on air, something he did even before starting the Gem Shopping Network.
“We have been doing this since 1997 and still continue to do this today,” the host said. “[Frank] was a well-respected gem collector, TV personality, and a great friend and mentor to many people.”
When Circelli sold the network to an affiliate of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners in 2013, one of the executives who facilitated the sale described his passion for gemstones as “contagious.”
Circelli said at the time, “I founded Gem Shopping [Network] to educate people about fine colored gemstones from around the world and to make them accessible to the consumer. The fact that we sell finer quality jewelry than anyone else on television is a testament to the trust our clients have in Gem Shopping [Network].”
Circelli is remembered as someone who embraced his humble roots, worked hard, and delivered on his promise of providing education and operating with integrity and honesty, both at Gem Shopping Network and at his wholesale company, Bellagem.
“Frank’s memory will forever remain in the hearts of his family and all who knew him,” his obituary states. “And we will always remember his voice ringing out, ‘Holy Toledo! ‘Is that ridiculous or what?’”
Circelli is survived by two daughters, Laurena and Megan Circelli.
A memorial service to celebrate his life is scheduled to take place Dec. 19 from 3-6 p.m. at 12 Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charitable organization Circelli founded, Another Chance Foundation.
Checks may be sent to Another Chance Foundation Inc., 3259 Duluth Highway 120, Suite 200, Duluth, GA 30096.
He was 75.
An executive at Bellagem Inc., Circelli’s wholesale gemstone business in Duluth, Georgia, shared details of his passing with National Jeweler.
Born Sept. 5, 1949, in Cleveland, Ohio, Circelli’s love for fossils, minerals, and the natural sciences started at a young age.
In 1983, he earned his graduate gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America and frequently was heard saying, “I’m blessed that my hobby became my business.”
Described as an innovator in gemology, Circelli first went on the air with gemstones in the mid-‘90s, hosting a weekend show called “Gemstones with Frank,” which his obituary describes as the first colored gemstone show on television.
In 1997, a weekend show became much more when he launched the 24-hour live Gem Shopping Network.
One of the current Gem Shopping Network hosts, speaking on behalf of the team, called Circelli a “pioneer” in the world of TV shopping, as his network was the first to sell high-end jewelry on TV.
Circelli also was the first person to put loose tanzanite on air, something he did even before starting the Gem Shopping Network.
“We have been doing this since 1997 and still continue to do this today,” the host said. “[Frank] was a well-respected gem collector, TV personality, and a great friend and mentor to many people.”
When Circelli sold the network to an affiliate of private equity firm Sun Capital Partners in 2013, one of the executives who facilitated the sale described his passion for gemstones as “contagious.”
Circelli said at the time, “I founded Gem Shopping [Network] to educate people about fine colored gemstones from around the world and to make them accessible to the consumer. The fact that we sell finer quality jewelry than anyone else on television is a testament to the trust our clients have in Gem Shopping [Network].”
Circelli is remembered as someone who embraced his humble roots, worked hard, and delivered on his promise of providing education and operating with integrity and honesty, both at Gem Shopping Network and at his wholesale company, Bellagem.
“Frank’s memory will forever remain in the hearts of his family and all who knew him,” his obituary states. “And we will always remember his voice ringing out, ‘Holy Toledo! ‘Is that ridiculous or what?’”
Circelli is survived by two daughters, Laurena and Megan Circelli.
A memorial service to celebrate his life is scheduled to take place Dec. 19 from 3-6 p.m. at 12 Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charitable organization Circelli founded, Another Chance Foundation.
Checks may be sent to Another Chance Foundation Inc., 3259 Duluth Highway 120, Suite 200, Duluth, GA 30096.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
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.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
