CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
IndependentsNov 25, 2025
Pearl Stringer Margaret Hoisik Dies
She is remembered as an artist who loved her craft and was devoted to her faith, her friends, and her family.
Margaret Hoisik, who worked for decades as a pearl stringer for Tiffany & Co. and Cartier before starting her own business, died on Nov. 11.
New York—Margaret “Maggie” Hoisik, a pearl stringer who worked for luxury jewelry brands, died surrounded by her family on Nov. 11.
Hoisik was born in New York City in 1936 and spent most of her life working in midtown Manhattan as a pearl stringer.
In high school, she did a work-study program at Tiffany & Co., where she first learned the craft while assisting in the pearl stringing department.
After 22 years with the jeweler, she went to work at Cartier, where she spent around a decade before starting her own pearl stringing business.
In 2016, she retired at 80 years old.
She was proud of her craft and regarded her work friends as family too, according to her online obituary.
She also loved to crochet, particularly blankets, hats, cardigans, and other baby gifts.
Hoisik enjoyed teaching her nieces how to crochet and string pearls.
While everyone relished the lessons, not many “mastered the crafts” in the way she did, the obituary said.
Hoisik was a devout Catholic, and daily prayer was important to her.
She always looked at the positive side of life and never talked badly about anyone, her obituary said.
She was a good listener and loyal friend who never judged and frequently checked in on her loved ones.
Hoisik had a deep love of family. She never married but was very involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews, all of whom she treated as her own.
In an Instagram post, one of her grandnieces wrote, “Maggie was loving, before anything else. She stayed home from college to make jewelry which she sold to help pay for my grandmother’s schooling fees.”
Hoisik enjoyed family gatherings and was very involved around the holidays, from putting batteries into Christmas decorations to preparing Easter baskets and handing out candy at Halloween.
She never forgot a birthday or anniversary, always sending a card and making a personal phone call on the day. She kept the family together, her obituary said.
Later in her life, Hoisik moved to City Island with her mother to be closer to her cousins.
In recent years, she moved to Yorktown Heights to be closer to her sister, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Catherine and Anthony Hoisik, and her brother Paul Michael “Mickey” Hoisik.
She is survived by her sister Mary and brother-in-law Kevin, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Hoisik was born in New York City in 1936 and spent most of her life working in midtown Manhattan as a pearl stringer.
In high school, she did a work-study program at Tiffany & Co., where she first learned the craft while assisting in the pearl stringing department.
After 22 years with the jeweler, she went to work at Cartier, where she spent around a decade before starting her own pearl stringing business.
In 2016, she retired at 80 years old.
She was proud of her craft and regarded her work friends as family too, according to her online obituary.
She also loved to crochet, particularly blankets, hats, cardigans, and other baby gifts.
Hoisik enjoyed teaching her nieces how to crochet and string pearls.
While everyone relished the lessons, not many “mastered the crafts” in the way she did, the obituary said.
Hoisik was a devout Catholic, and daily prayer was important to her.
She always looked at the positive side of life and never talked badly about anyone, her obituary said.
She was a good listener and loyal friend who never judged and frequently checked in on her loved ones.
Hoisik had a deep love of family. She never married but was very involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews, all of whom she treated as her own.
In an Instagram post, one of her grandnieces wrote, “Maggie was loving, before anything else. She stayed home from college to make jewelry which she sold to help pay for my grandmother’s schooling fees.”
Hoisik enjoyed family gatherings and was very involved around the holidays, from putting batteries into Christmas decorations to preparing Easter baskets and handing out candy at Halloween.
She never forgot a birthday or anniversary, always sending a card and making a personal phone call on the day. She kept the family together, her obituary said.
Later in her life, Hoisik moved to City Island with her mother to be closer to her cousins.
In recent years, she moved to Yorktown Heights to be closer to her sister, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Catherine and Anthony Hoisik, and her brother Paul Michael “Mickey” Hoisik.
She is survived by her sister Mary and brother-in-law Kevin, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
More on Independents
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 11, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
