Andrew Rickard Named JBT President
A longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.

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.”
The Latest

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.


The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.

They discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.

It follows New York-based brand Shahla Karimi Jewelry’s all-women team in “Say Yes to the Dress” meets “The Office”-style episodes.

In its inaugural year, the SMO Foundation will focus on supporting two organizations in West Africa and one in South America.

The announcement comes just as the 90-day freeze on the “reciprocal” tariffs nears its end, giving countries more time to negotiate.

Kellie, who joined the organization in 2019, will remain in his role through the end of 2025.

Police officers apprehended the suspects as they were allegedly attempting to gain entry into another jewelry store.

The program, a collaboration between Julius Klein Diamonds and the Women’s Jewelry Association, is in its second year.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.