Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardEvents & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual Luncheon
Foerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee has named industry veteran Rebecca Foerster as the recipient of this year’s Stanley Schechter Award.
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) has named the recipient of this year’s Stanley Schechter Award.
Industry veteran Rebecca Foerster will receive the award at its annual luncheon on March 13 at the Rainbow Room in New York City.
Foerster is the president of Hearts On Fire, North America, overseeing its operations in Boston and leading all regional functions across North America.
She has more than two decades of experience in the luxury sector, with her skillset spanning merchandising, marketing, and operational expertise.
Her career began in cosmetics and global branding, helping her to develop her instinct for consumer engagement and brand storytelling, skills that lend themselves to her work in fine jewelry.
Foerster has an “exceptional understanding” of the U.S. jewelry market, said JVC, having worked for some of the biggest names in the industry.
Previously, she was the president of Alrosa USA, and served in senior leadership roles at Rio Tinto Diamonds, Frederick Goldman, and Leo Schachter Diamonds.
Foerster is also active in many industry associations, serving on the board of directors for Jewelers for Children. She is a member of the executive committee of Diamonds Do Good and is a natural diamonds ambassador.
She is also the recent past chair of the board at JVC.
Related stories will be right here …
Industry veteran Rebecca Foerster will receive the award at its annual luncheon on March 13 at the Rainbow Room in New York City.
Foerster is the president of Hearts On Fire, North America, overseeing its operations in Boston and leading all regional functions across North America.
She has more than two decades of experience in the luxury sector, with her skillset spanning merchandising, marketing, and operational expertise.
Her career began in cosmetics and global branding, helping her to develop her instinct for consumer engagement and brand storytelling, skills that lend themselves to her work in fine jewelry.
Foerster has an “exceptional understanding” of the U.S. jewelry market, said JVC, having worked for some of the biggest names in the industry.
Previously, she was the president of Alrosa USA, and served in senior leadership roles at Rio Tinto Diamonds, Frederick Goldman, and Leo Schachter Diamonds.
Foerster is also active in many industry associations, serving on the board of directors for Jewelers for Children. She is a member of the executive committee of Diamonds Do Good and is a natural diamonds ambassador.
She is also the recent past chair of the board at JVC.
The award is named after the late Stanley Schechter, the founder of Honora Industries and a lifetime member of JVC, serving as a board member from the 1960s to 2000.
The award was established in 2002 to honor Schechter’s legacy and contributions to JVC.
“Recipients of the Stanley Schechter Award embody Stanley’s characteristics and values: leadership, integrity, and passion for elevating the jewelry community’s reputation in the U.S. and worldwide,” said JVC.
Sara Yood, JVC president, CEO, and general counsel, shared her excitement to present Foerster with the award.
“Rebecca lives and breathes the industry integrity and leadership values that were so important to Stanley,” said Yood.
“When I stepped into my leadership role at JVC, Rebecca worked right alongside me to ensure that I had strong and vocal support from JVC’s board of directors and the industry at large. Her guidance has been instrumental to the success of JVC, and she deeply cares about the overall health of the jewelry industry at large.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
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.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
Lab-GrownAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
