EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
IndependentsFeb 01, 2018
Lee Michaels Moves into Albuquerque
The New Mexico store will be the ninth location for Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry.
Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry announced this week that it has signed a lease to open a 3,500-square-foot store at ABQ Uptown in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The retailer is renovating a former steak restaurant; here’s what its new store will look like.
Albuquerque, N.M.--Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, a 40-year-old family-owned firm, announced this week that it will open its ninth store this spring.
Located at ABQ Uptown in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the store will be 3,500 square feet and stock David Yurman and Rolex, among other brands.
Ryan Berg, who currently oversees the retailer’s operations in Shreveport, Louisiana and Texas, will be in charge of the Albuquerque store.
Berg told National Jeweler Wednesday that the new Lee Michaels store will be the only authorized Rolex dealer in the state (there were two others but they closed in recent years) and the only store in the state to carry David Yurman.
He said Lee Michaels is promoting from within, relocating the assistant manager of its San Antonio store to Albuquerque to manage the new store.
Also joining the staff on a part-time basis is longtime local jeweler Ron Beauchamp, who made the decision to retire and close Beauchamp Jewelers in 2016. Berg said Beauchamp, a graduate gemologist, will work to help establish Lee Michaels in the community where he has long-standing relationships.
The new Lee Michaels store is expected to open in late May or early June and will be an end cap on ABQ Uptown, an upscale Simon-owned strip mall that includes the state’s only Apple and Lululemon stores.
Berg said they are renovating a space formerly occupied by a steak restaurant.
He said they see “tremendous opportunity” in the market, particularly as the only Rolex and Yurman dealers, as well as in this shopping plaza, which Berg called the “ground zero for high-end retail” in Albuquerque.
Berg added that in an industry that is shrinking, Lee Michaels is growing and pursuing opportunities. The retailer could potentially open a 10th store, though he said they haven’t yet identified a location.
Lee Michael Berg opened Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry in 1978.
Today, the retailer is a member of American Gem Society with locations in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi that do a total of $50 million in sales annually.
The company is run by Lee and his three sons, Ryan, Scott and Chad. Ryan Berg just completed his term as chairman of the board of Jewelers of America while Chad is the current president of the board of directors for the American Gem Society.
More on Independents
The Latest
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
