MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT President
A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.
Industry veteran Andrew Rickard is the new president of the Jewelers Board of Trade. A not-for-profit organization based in Warwick, Rhode Island, JBT provides credit reporting, collections, and marketing services to the jewelry industry. It has served the trade since 1884.
Warwick, R.I.—The Jewelers Board of Trade announced last week that it has appointed a new president, industry veteran and JBT board member Andrew Rickard.
Rickard has spent the past 21 years with RDI Diamonds Inc. in Rochester, New York, most recently serving as the diamond supplier’s executive vice president of operations.
He also has served on the JBT board and executive board for the past five years; most recently, he was elected to a one-year term as first vice-chairman of the board.
Rickard succeeds Erich Jacobs as JBT president.
Formerly the organization’s vice president of IT, Jacobs was promoted to president in 2019, with the goal of helping the organization digitize its core systems, enhance data accessibility, and improve member services.
JBT said with this transformation complete, it is time to turn the presidency back over to an industry veteran.
“I’ve utilized JBT’s services for over two decades and know first-hand how essential the organization is to vendors, manufacturers and retail partners,” Rickard said.
“Our plan will focus on driving innovations in service, value and technology to ensure we exceed the needs of the jewelry industry for the next hundred years.”
Related stories will be right here …
Rickard has spent the past 21 years with RDI Diamonds Inc. in Rochester, New York, most recently serving as the diamond supplier’s executive vice president of operations.
He also has served on the JBT board and executive board for the past five years; most recently, he was elected to a one-year term as first vice-chairman of the board.
Rickard succeeds Erich Jacobs as JBT president.
Formerly the organization’s vice president of IT, Jacobs was promoted to president in 2019, with the goal of helping the organization digitize its core systems, enhance data accessibility, and improve member services.
JBT said with this transformation complete, it is time to turn the presidency back over to an industry veteran.
“I’ve utilized JBT’s services for over two decades and know first-hand how essential the organization is to vendors, manufacturers and retail partners,” Rickard said.
“Our plan will focus on driving innovations in service, value and technology to ensure we exceed the needs of the jewelry industry for the next hundred years.”
Jacobs said he’s “thrilled” to pass the torch to Rickard.
“His experience, relationships, and deep industry knowledge are exactly what JBT needs to build on our progress,” Jacobs said.
“I look forward to continuing to support Andrew and JBT by focusing on the technology innovation that has become central to our mission.”
News of Rickard’s appointment follows the organization’s recent announcement about its new board members and new board chair, Jeff Corey of Day’s Jewelers.
Commenting on Rickard’s appointment as president, Corey said, “Andrew brings a rare combination of operational excellence, deep industry relationships, and a clear vision for JBT’s future.
“The board is confident that under Andrew’s leadership, JBT is well positioned to strengthen its relevance, grow its services, and set a new direction that meets the evolving needs of the jewelry industry.”
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
SourcingJun 10, 2025
De Beers Turns to Brown, Yellow Diamonds for New ‘Beacon’“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.
