MajorsFeb 05, 2025
DCA Promotes Kristen Scheetz to Director of Education, MembershipMajorsMar 10, 2025
Terry Chandler to Retire After 24 Years as Head of DCA
Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.
Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler will retire at the end of the year, the organization announced Monday. Chandler joined DCA in 2001 after two decades in retail.
New York—Terry Chandler will retire at the end of 2025 after nearly 25 years as president and CEO of the Diamond Council of America (DCA) and more than four decades in the jewelry industry.
His successor will be announced in the coming months.
“Diamond Council of America has been a huge part of who I am for decades,” Chandler said in the press release announcing his retirement.
“We have a lot of exciting developments taking place later this year and I know they will help ensure that DCA will continue to be successful for decades more to come. I am so thankful to the DCA board of directors, our members, my team, and Jewelers of America for their part in making DCA what it is today.”
Chandler started his career in the jewelry industry in the late ‘60s as a trainee at Michelson Jewelers in Paducah, Kentucky, which was a family-owned chain of four stores at the time.
During his more than two decades with Michelson, he served as a store manager, supervisor, senior vice president, and partner as the chain grew to 12 stores.
He left Michelson in 1990.
In 2001, he became president and CEO of DCA, a nonprofit organization that provides distance education and the opportunity to earn professional certifications in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales.
Related stories will be right here …
His successor will be announced in the coming months.
“Diamond Council of America has been a huge part of who I am for decades,” Chandler said in the press release announcing his retirement.
“We have a lot of exciting developments taking place later this year and I know they will help ensure that DCA will continue to be successful for decades more to come. I am so thankful to the DCA board of directors, our members, my team, and Jewelers of America for their part in making DCA what it is today.”
Chandler started his career in the jewelry industry in the late ‘60s as a trainee at Michelson Jewelers in Paducah, Kentucky, which was a family-owned chain of four stores at the time.
During his more than two decades with Michelson, he served as a store manager, supervisor, senior vice president, and partner as the chain grew to 12 stores.
He left Michelson in 1990.
In 2001, he became president and CEO of DCA, a nonprofit organization that provides distance education and the opportunity to earn professional certifications in diamonds, colored gemstones, and fine jewelry sales.
In that time, DCA said Chandler has been instrumental in expanding its reach and influence, enhancing its certification programs, and fostering industry-wide collaboration.
In 2017, DCA signed an affiliate agreement with Jewelers of America.
The agreement gave DCA, which is a small nonprofit, access to JA’s more substantial resources while providing JA with an accredited education arm. It also allowed DCA to cut costs by closing its Nashville, Tennessee, office.
“Terry Chandler’s dedication and leadership have been invaluable to the Diamond Council of America,” said Jennifer Hammond, chair of the organization’s board of directors.
“His commitment to retail jewelers by providing affordable jewelry education has left a lasting impact on retailers across the country and we are deeply grateful for his contributions.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
Weekly QuizMay 01, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2025
Instore Show Debuts New Name, Look, and FocusNow called The Instore Jewelry Show, it will include holiday-focused education, interactive workshops, and a window display contest.
SourcingApr 30, 2025
GemGuide Has a New Pricing Chart for Colombian EmeraldsIt includes pricing for unenhanced Colombian emeralds in the fine to extra fine range.
CollectionsApr 30, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Goes Deep-Sea Diving in New Blue BookThe “Sea of Wonder” collection features pieces inspired by the ocean, from its waves to flora and creatures like urchins and sea turtles.
AuctionsApr 29, 2025
‘Golconda Blue’ Diamond Pulled From AuctionThe 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
IndependentsApr 29, 2025
Maryland Jeweler to Close After 36 YearsG.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.
ColumnistsApr 29, 2025
Google Ads vs. Social Media Ads: Which Are More Effective?Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.
SourcingApr 29, 2025
Gemfields Mini Ruby Auction Achieves $7MThe miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.
CrimeApr 28, 2025
Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels JewelryU.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
TrendsApr 28, 2025
Suzanne Kalan Launches Tech Ring Jacket CollectionHealth monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.
Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant RecipientsTen organizations were selected this year.
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
