The Richemont-owned company is investing in its jewelry production and watchmaking workshops.
JA Hires Mark Smelzer, Elizabeth Brewer as Consultants
The industry veterans will help Jewelers of America enhance membership and consumer marketing.
New York—Jewelers of America has hired industry veterans Mark Smelzer and Elizabeth Brewer as consultants to enhance two of the association’s core priorities: consumer marketing and membership.
Smelzer will assist in the strategic development of a consumer marketing initiative to launch in early 2019.
The longtime publisher of JCK magazine and JCKOnline, Smelzer is now the principal of his own consulting company, Mark Smelzer LLC. His career experience includes magazine and website publishing, sales and marketing, content marketing, and “native” advertising and brand ambassadorship.
Brewer, meanwhile, will help JA’s membership department enhance engagement with its retail membership base.
With nearly two decades of experience in the jewelry industry, Brewer has held key positions at Brown + Partners, De Boulle Diamond & Jewelry, the American Gem Trade Association and Diamond Council of America.
She holds a bachelor’s in advertising and public relations from the University of Mississippi and has studied at the Gemological Institute of America.
“The addition of Elizabeth and Mark in consultant roles will play a big part in our continued commitment to membership growth and consumer marketing, which are essential to our mission to improve confidence in the jewelry industry,” JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte said.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, which purchased the publication in 2015. The two organizations act independently of each other.
The Latest
Manoj Bhandari, a principal of RMC Gems Inc., is the new president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association.
The designers participated in a six-month business development and mentorship program to develop and launch their jewelry collections.
A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Members of the founding family have partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to acquire Nordstrom.
The brand has opened its second U.S. location in the Fontainebleau resort and casino.
Associate Editor Lauren McLemore highlights pieces from the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards she’d be thrilled to unwrap on Christmas.
‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
The move is one of several cost-cutting measures outlined by the company as it faces a weaker luxury market and other challenges.
Associate Editor Natalie Francisco chose her 12 favorite Piece of the Week picks from the year gone by.
Lab clients have the option to request this addition on their emerald reports.
Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
In the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Along with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
The man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
The average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
The nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
The videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
Feldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
The luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
The nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
Gearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.