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
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
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.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
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.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
