Rio Grande Names New Marketing Director
Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

In the role, she will oversee all aspects of the wholesale provider’s marketing, including strategy, digital initiatives, lead generation, advertising, brand development, and content creation.
She will lead both the strategic and tactical direction of Rio Grande’s marketing efforts, the company said, with a focus on enhancing the website, expanding brand presence across key markets, and strengthening relationships with retail jewelers, manufacturers, artisans, and educators.
“Nicolette brings a fresh perspective and an impressive track record of driving innovation in highly regulated and customer-centric industries,” said Dennis Claspell, vice president of sales and marketing at Rio Grande.
“We’ve built a framework that combines creativity, efficiency, and reliability and ultimately leveraging the strength of our Richline network while staying close to our roots in U.S.-based manufacturing. Nicolette’s leadership will help us continue evolving to meet the changing needs of our customers.”
The role of marketing director is a new position for Rio Grande. Bianchi will report to Claspell and senior leadership.
Bianchi brings more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development to the role, having held key roles in financial services and government sectors.
Most recently, she worked in digital product development at Los Alamos National Laboratory, creating web applications to support the Department of Energy’s national security mission and internal communications.
Before that, she was director of marketing growth and acquisition at Nusenda Credit Union in New Mexico, where she helped expand market share across the state.
She has also contributed to strategic marketing at Thornburg Investment Management.
Bianchi holds a Master of Science in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media and a Bachelor of Arts in human communication from Arizona State University’s Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.
The Latest

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.


The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.

The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.

Museum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.

The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.

The retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.

“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.

The Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.

Onyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.

Solomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.

Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.

























