Events & AwardsMar 05, 2025
92NY Accepting 2025 Jewelry Artist Residency ApplicationsEvents & AwardsMar 06, 2025
Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It’ Award Goes to Jeweler
Senior Jeweler Jay Wolff was named employee of the year.
Borsheims honored Senior Jeweler Jay Wolff with the “Ike-It” Employee of the Year award for 2024.
Omaha, Neb.—Borsheims has awarded the “Ike-It” Employee of the Year award for 2024 to Senior Jeweler Jay Wolff.
He was nominated and chosen for the award by his fellow colleagues at Borsheims.
Wolff began his career at the retailer in 2012 as a jeweler, after growing up in the industry.
His grandfather and father owned Wolff Jewelers and Goldsmith in Iowa and Nebraska. Wolff worked at the Iowa location from 1992 to 2001 in a variety of roles, including as a goldsmith, sales associate, and manager for the family business.
In 2001, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and became a jeweler for Hostetter’s Jewelry until the store’s closing in 2012.
“Today, Wolff is known at Borsheims as a kind-hearted leader and someone who consistently goes above and beyond to design special, one-of-a-kind creations for Borsheims customers,” said the retailer.
Wolff said one of his favorite creations he made for a customer is a watch-turned-bracelet. The customer was gifted a watch from her parents when she graduated college in 1954. Wolff reset it into a bracelet, preserving the message on the back from the customer’s parents.
Related stories will be right here …
He was nominated and chosen for the award by his fellow colleagues at Borsheims.
Wolff began his career at the retailer in 2012 as a jeweler, after growing up in the industry.
His grandfather and father owned Wolff Jewelers and Goldsmith in Iowa and Nebraska. Wolff worked at the Iowa location from 1992 to 2001 in a variety of roles, including as a goldsmith, sales associate, and manager for the family business.
In 2001, he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and became a jeweler for Hostetter’s Jewelry until the store’s closing in 2012.
“Today, Wolff is known at Borsheims as a kind-hearted leader and someone who consistently goes above and beyond to design special, one-of-a-kind creations for Borsheims customers,” said the retailer.
Wolff said one of his favorite creations he made for a customer is a watch-turned-bracelet. The customer was gifted a watch from her parents when she graduated college in 1954. Wolff reset it into a bracelet, preserving the message on the back from the customer’s parents.
Borsheims CEO and President Karen Goracke shared her congratulations.
Award winner Jay Wolff (left) with Borsheims CEO and President Karen Goracke
“Jay has long been celebrated by his colleagues for his attention to detail, his willingness to help train new team members, and his helpful attitude. And he’s a true talent! Borsheims is incredibly lucky to have Jay as one of our esteemed team members,” she said.
Wolff and his wife live in Blair, Nebraska, with their daughter, Chloe, and son, Riley. When he’s not at Borsheims, he enjoys being outdoors and spending time with family.
The Ike-It Award is given annually to one associate who embodies Borsheims’ commitment to customer service and demonstrates the company’s core values.
Now in its 33rd year, it was named in honor of Ike Friedman, who owned Borsheims from 1947 to 1989. The award started in 1992, a year after his passing.
Owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the 155-year-old retailer is one of the largest independent jewelry stores in the U.S.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
