SourcingFeb 18, 2025
Celine Assimon Stepping Down as CEO of De Beers JewellersIndependentsFeb 20, 2025
IJO Elects 4 New Board Members
Alisha Cornett, Nic Faini, Eric Stevens, and Seth Shipley have joined the organization’s board of directors for a three-year term.
IJO’s new board members are, clockwise from left to right, Alisha Cornett of Green Brothers Jewelers in Bay City, Texas; Nic Faini of Faini Designs Jewelry Studio in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Eric Stevens of Stevens Diamond Jewelers in West Springfield, Massachusetts; and Seth Shipley of Shipley’s Fine Jewelry in Hampstead, Maryland.
Southport, Conn.—The Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) has elected four new members to its board of directors.
Nic Faini of Faini Designs Jewelry Studio in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Alisha Cornett of Green Brothers Jewelers in Bay City, Texas; Eric Stevens of Stevens Diamond Jewelers in West Springfield, Massachusetts; and Seth Shipley of Shipley’s Fine Jewelry in Hampstead, Maryland, have joined the organization for a three-year term.
As board members, they will act as a liaison between the membership and IJO headquarters, said Stephen Barnes, president of IJO. They will discuss suggestions and ideas that are brought to them with the organization’s management.
IJO board members meet twice yearly at IJO’s conferences and are available for consultation throughout the year.
“IJO has a longstanding history of listening to its members, and their concerns are our concerns. Many changes have been made as a result of their ideas, and their input is invaluable,” said Barnes.
Related stories will be right here …
Nic Faini of Faini Designs Jewelry Studio in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Alisha Cornett of Green Brothers Jewelers in Bay City, Texas; Eric Stevens of Stevens Diamond Jewelers in West Springfield, Massachusetts; and Seth Shipley of Shipley’s Fine Jewelry in Hampstead, Maryland, have joined the organization for a three-year term.
As board members, they will act as a liaison between the membership and IJO headquarters, said Stephen Barnes, president of IJO. They will discuss suggestions and ideas that are brought to them with the organization’s management.
IJO board members meet twice yearly at IJO’s conferences and are available for consultation throughout the year.
“IJO has a longstanding history of listening to its members, and their concerns are our concerns. Many changes have been made as a result of their ideas, and their input is invaluable,” said Barnes.
Faini, Cornett, Stevens, and Shipley are taking over for Nathan Regan of Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas; Kari Johnson Smith of Champaign Jewelers in Champaign, Illinois; Janelle Mead of Harris Jewelers in Rio Rancho, New Mexico; and Daniel Widmar of Rasmussen Diamonds in Racine, Wisconsin, whose terms expired at the end of 2024.
The board is comprised of 10 retailers and three vendors. Positions open up regularly, said Barnes, and all submissions are welcome.
IJO’s current retail board members for 2025 include:
Cindi Haddad-Drew of Cindi’s Diamond & Jewelry Gallery in Foxboro, Massachusetts;
Tia Daniel of Conti Jewelers in Endwell, New York;
John Herold of John Herold Jewelers in Randolph, New Jersey;
Joanne Osborne of Osborne Jewelers in Goodyear, Arizona;
Rick Sanders of Sanders Jewelers in Gainesville, Florida; and
Scott Stambaugh of Stambaugh Jewelers in Defiance, Ohio.
IJO’s current vendor board members for 2025 include:
Allison Peck of Brevani/Color Merchants in New York, New York;
Todd Bazar of Imperial Pearl in East Providence, Rhode Island; and
Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé Jewelry Design in Pocatello, Idaho.
For more information on IJO membership, call Penny Palmer at 800-624-9252.
More on Independents
The Latest
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
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.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
