Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96
Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
Juell Kadet, the former executive vice president of Rogers & Hollands and the voice behind its well-known jingle, died last month at age 96.
Chicago—Juell Kadet, former executive vice president of Rogers & Hollands and a pioneer among women in the jewelry industry, died Nov. 9.
She was 96.
Born Juell Friedman on Feb. 18, 1929, Juell was the daughter of Bernard Friedman, who, alongside Herbert Goldstone, opened Rogers Jewelers (later Rogers & Hollands and then Rogers Enterprises Inc.) in Harvey, Illinois, in 1945.
She followed her father into the jewelry business.
Juell became a “lifelong pillar” of the family-owned jewelry store and alongside her husband, the late Alan Kadet, helped grow the business across the Chicago area and beyond.
She was the second woman inducted into the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame, Class of 1994. (The late Helene Fortunoff was the first in 1990.)
The company said Juell and Alan shaped the jeweler into “a trusted household name built on tradition, craftsmanship, personal service, and the belief that jewelry celebrates life’s most meaningful moments.”
Today, it operates as Rogers Enterprises Inc. and has about 70 stores in 15 states under the banners Rogers & Hollands Jewelers and Ashcroft & Oak Jewelers.
The company stands at No. 16 on National Jeweler’s 2025 Top 50 Specialty Jewelers list, which ranks retailers by store count.
David Bonaparte, president and CEO of Jewelers of America, described Juell as a “consummate professional.”
“She was sharp and witty and very approachable, and she always shared her opinions,” Bonaparte said.
“Juell was one of the first people I met when I entered the jewelry business, and I will always appreciate her guidance, professionalism, and enormous personality. She was truly one of a kind.”
She also was resilient.
After surviving breast cancer, Juell founded the Kadet Cancer Research Foundation at the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital, which has raised more than $1 million to date to support oncology research.
In her later years, she faced a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease but continued to inspire those around her with her perseverance and determination to live.
Outside of jewelry, Juell loved to cook and design clothing, and was a gifted vocalist.
In addition to singing the famous Rogers & Hollands “jewelry created for now and forever” jingle for TV and radio, she recorded two albums, “My Kind of Town,” and “Juell of the Mile.”
One album benefited The Neediest Children’s Fund, and the other supported her cancer foundation.
Her grandson Brent Stern, the current president of Rogers Enterprises, called his grandmother “a force in every sense.”
“She broke barriers with boldness and grace, lifted others with endless generosity, and led with both heart and conviction,” he said.
“Her influence helped shape our family, our company, and this industry. Her legacy will inspire us for generations.”
Services for Juell were private.
A celebration of life is scheduled to take place in February.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Promise of Hope – UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association’s Rita Hayworth Gala.
She was 96.
Born Juell Friedman on Feb. 18, 1929, Juell was the daughter of Bernard Friedman, who, alongside Herbert Goldstone, opened Rogers Jewelers (later Rogers & Hollands and then Rogers Enterprises Inc.) in Harvey, Illinois, in 1945.
She followed her father into the jewelry business.
Juell became a “lifelong pillar” of the family-owned jewelry store and alongside her husband, the late Alan Kadet, helped grow the business across the Chicago area and beyond.
She was the second woman inducted into the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame, Class of 1994. (The late Helene Fortunoff was the first in 1990.)
The company said Juell and Alan shaped the jeweler into “a trusted household name built on tradition, craftsmanship, personal service, and the belief that jewelry celebrates life’s most meaningful moments.”
Today, it operates as Rogers Enterprises Inc. and has about 70 stores in 15 states under the banners Rogers & Hollands Jewelers and Ashcroft & Oak Jewelers.
The company stands at No. 16 on National Jeweler’s 2025 Top 50 Specialty Jewelers list, which ranks retailers by store count.
David Bonaparte, president and CEO of Jewelers of America, described Juell as a “consummate professional.”
“She was sharp and witty and very approachable, and she always shared her opinions,” Bonaparte said.
“Juell was one of the first people I met when I entered the jewelry business, and I will always appreciate her guidance, professionalism, and enormous personality. She was truly one of a kind.”
She also was resilient.
After surviving breast cancer, Juell founded the Kadet Cancer Research Foundation at the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital, which has raised more than $1 million to date to support oncology research.
In her later years, she faced a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease but continued to inspire those around her with her perseverance and determination to live.
Outside of jewelry, Juell loved to cook and design clothing, and was a gifted vocalist.
In addition to singing the famous Rogers & Hollands “jewelry created for now and forever” jingle for TV and radio, she recorded two albums, “My Kind of Town,” and “Juell of the Mile.”
One album benefited The Neediest Children’s Fund, and the other supported her cancer foundation.
Her grandson Brent Stern, the current president of Rogers Enterprises, called his grandmother “a force in every sense.”
“She broke barriers with boldness and grace, lifted others with endless generosity, and led with both heart and conviction,” he said.
“Her influence helped shape our family, our company, and this industry. Her legacy will inspire us for generations.”
Services for Juell were private.
A celebration of life is scheduled to take place in February.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Promise of Hope – UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association’s Rita Hayworth Gala.
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
