CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
IndependentsSep 01, 2017
24 Karat Club SEUS Inducts New Members
Six new members joined and 11 scholarships were awarded at the 43rd annual banquet held in Atlanta in early August.
These are four of the six new members inducted into the 24 Karat Club SEUS this year. Pictured left to right: Allan Cagle, Tammy Lail, Mel Schmidt and Lecil Henderson (not pictured are Dick Abbott and Cindy Hartzog).
Atlanta--The 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States welcomed six new members at its annual banquet held in early August at the Atlanta Country Club.
Membership to the 24 Karat Club is on an invitation-only basis, offered to select members of the industry based on their accomplishments in their jewelry career, personal and civic contributions and their commitment to the betterment of the jewelry industry.
The following people were inducted into the 24K Club Class of 2017.
--Dick Abbott, president, The Edge jewelry store software;
--Allan Cagle, southeastern sales representative, Equity Diamond Brokers, Frederic Duclos, Color Merchants & Viken’s Jewelry Manufacturing Co.;
--Cindy Hartzog, sales representative, Gabriel;
--Lecil Henderson, owner/designer, The Henderson Collection by Lecil;
--Tammy Lail, vice president of merchandising, Stuller; and
--Mel Schmidt, COO, LFS Consultants/Don Conkey & Sons.
“We’re thrilled to welcome such an outstanding group of jewelry professionals to the 24 Karat Club,” Club President Bill Newnam said. “We expect each of these new members will be a tremendous asset to our organization.”
The 24 Karat Club SEUS also awarded 11 scholarships at the event.
--The Robert Foreman Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Jennifer Chastain of Ware Jewelers in Opelika, Alabama. She’ll receive a $2,000 Scholarship to pursue GIA classes.
--Sterling Reputation-24K Scholarships were awarded to Nicholas Bates of Anthony Jewelers in Nashville, Tennessee, and Jonathan Paz of Worthmore Jewelers in Atlanta. Both will receive $1,250 to pursue educational goals.
--Diamond In The Rough-24K Scholarships were awarded to Skye Gillis of Gillis Jewelers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Adriana Hoover of Grogan Jewelers in Florence, Alabama. Both will receive $1,250 to pursue educational goals.
--DCA-24K Scholarships were awarded to six individuals; the Diamond Council of America donates the recipients’ choice of three on-line accredited courses. 2017 recipients are: Iris Sanders-Jarvis of Young Jewelers in Jasper, Alabama; Devin Trachtman of Seabreeze Fine Jewelry in Daytona Beach, Florida; Kory Kowalski of Ellis Jewelers in Concord, North Carolina; Colt Snowden of Snowden’s Jewelers in Wilmington, North Carolina; Flower Gattone-Enix of Fountain City Jewelers in Knoxville, Tennessee; and Sarah Bliven of Tara Fine Jewelry in Buford, Georgia.
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
