Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceIndependentsJan 14, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Wins 2025 ‘Wag’ Award
Edge Retail Academy honored Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas, with its annual award for business excellence.
Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas, won the Edge Retail Academy’s 2025 “Wag” Award. Seen here with the award, left to right, are owners Kristi and Nathan Regan, Sales Manager Sean Hamlin, and Shop Manager Erin Carson.
Wichita, Kan.—Jewelry business coaching firm Edge Retail Academy has announced the winner of its 2025 William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award.
Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas, has taken home the prize.
Now in its eighth year, the “Wag” award recognizes one Edge Retail Academy partner retailer annually.
The award honors jewelers that “consistently pair strong financial and operational performance with exemplary leadership, deep commitment, team engagement, and disciplined execution,” said Edge Retail Academy.
Founded by Jerry Burnell in 1979, Burnell’s Fine Jewelry is known for its award-winning custom jewelry, its craftsmanship, and its commitment to its customers, said Edge Retail Academy.
Burnell retired in 2014. The store is now owned by Nathan and Kristi Regan, with Sean Hamlin serving as sales manager and Erin Carson as shop manager.
“Burnell’s Fine Jewelry distinguished itself through consistent execution, thoughtful decision-making, and a clear commitment to continuous improvement across all areas of the business,” said Edge Retail Academy.
The store has also earned both state and national recognition for its decades of service to its community.
Over the past year, Burnell’s Fine Jewelry achieved gross sales growth of 64 percent, gross profit growth of 52 percent, and units sold growth of 18 percent.
“Winning the Wag award means a great deal to us because it reflects the hard work our entire team has put in everyday year after year,” said Nathan Regan.
“Through our partnership with Edge Retail Academy, we’ve gained clearer insight into our performance and made more confident decisions based on our numbers. That guidance and accountability have helped us execute better and build momentum.”
Related stories will be right here …
Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas, has taken home the prize.
Now in its eighth year, the “Wag” award recognizes one Edge Retail Academy partner retailer annually.
The award honors jewelers that “consistently pair strong financial and operational performance with exemplary leadership, deep commitment, team engagement, and disciplined execution,” said Edge Retail Academy.
Founded by Jerry Burnell in 1979, Burnell’s Fine Jewelry is known for its award-winning custom jewelry, its craftsmanship, and its commitment to its customers, said Edge Retail Academy.
Burnell retired in 2014. The store is now owned by Nathan and Kristi Regan, with Sean Hamlin serving as sales manager and Erin Carson as shop manager.
“Burnell’s Fine Jewelry distinguished itself through consistent execution, thoughtful decision-making, and a clear commitment to continuous improvement across all areas of the business,” said Edge Retail Academy.
The store has also earned both state and national recognition for its decades of service to its community.
Over the past year, Burnell’s Fine Jewelry achieved gross sales growth of 64 percent, gross profit growth of 52 percent, and units sold growth of 18 percent.
“Winning the Wag award means a great deal to us because it reflects the hard work our entire team has put in everyday year after year,” said Nathan Regan.
“Through our partnership with Edge Retail Academy, we’ve gained clearer insight into our performance and made more confident decisions based on our numbers. That guidance and accountability have helped us execute better and build momentum.”
The award also recognizes the day-to-day leadership and operation of the store and how a retailer has made measurable improvements across key performance indicators over time.
“I couldn’t be more excited for Burnell’s Fine Jewelry. This award is truly well deserved,” said Kevin Sweeney, business coach at Edge Retail Academy.
“Nathan, Kristi, and Sean consistently show up as a unified, engaged leadership team. They are open to feedback, committed to growth, and relentless about execution. When opportunities are identified, they take action and follow through. That discipline and leadership is what drives results like this.”
The coaching firm created the award in honor of longtime Edge Retail Academy business coach William “Wag” Wagner, who died in 2018.
“His influence continues to be felt in the businesses, teams, and leaders who embody the standards this award represents,” said Edge Retail Academy.
The company also gave out two additional awards to jewelry retailers.
Tyler Ross Jewelers in Franklinton, Louisiana, was given the “Overall Best Store Performance” award. The jeweler recorded the highest overall performance across key business metrics.
Lamina of Vail in Vail, Colorado, won the “Best Newcomer” award in honor of its “exceptional” early performance within the first nine months of the program.
More on Independents
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
