Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersEvents & AwardsApr 08, 2026
TJS to Honor 2 Longtime Former Stuller Employees
The Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.
Dennis "Buzz" Busby (left) and Randy Welch each worked at Stuller for more than 40 years. The longtime colleagues and friends will be honored with lifetime achievement awards at The Jewelry Symposium next month.
Troy, Mich.—The Jewelry Symposium (TJS) will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming event.
TJS will present the awards to Dennis "Buzz" Busby, former casting director at Stuller, and Randy Welch, former senior tech process engineer at Stuller.
The awards recognize their decades of work supporting, educating, and advancing the fine jewelry industry, said the organization.
The awards will be presented at its 2026 symposium in Detroit, slated for May 16-19.
“We are honored to present Mr. Busby and Mr. Welch the TJS Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s symposium,” said Linus Drogs, chairman of the board at TJS.
“Both men have contributed much to the progress of fine jewelry manufacturing.”
Busby has been a regular at TJS, a continuation of the long-running Santa Fe Symposium (SFS), attending 29 of its 34 years.
Busby and Welch have always been eager to share the latest advancements in the jewelry making process, said Drogs.
Related stories will be right here …
TJS will present the awards to Dennis "Buzz" Busby, former casting director at Stuller, and Randy Welch, former senior tech process engineer at Stuller.
The awards recognize their decades of work supporting, educating, and advancing the fine jewelry industry, said the organization.
The awards will be presented at its 2026 symposium in Detroit, slated for May 16-19.
“We are honored to present Mr. Busby and Mr. Welch the TJS Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s symposium,” said Linus Drogs, chairman of the board at TJS.
“Both men have contributed much to the progress of fine jewelry manufacturing.”
Busby has been a regular at TJS, a continuation of the long-running Santa Fe Symposium (SFS), attending 29 of its 34 years.
Busby and Welch have always been eager to share the latest advancements in the jewelry making process, said Drogs.
The pair have authored and co-authored presentations for SFS and other industry conferences throughout the years, both separately and together.
“Whether shared with hundreds of people at the symposiums or shared in thousands of individual conversations over the years, their goodwill and ongoing endeavors for knowledge sharing represent the embodiment of the TJS mission,” said Drogs.
The two are longtime friends and colleagues, joining Stuller in the 1980s.
Welch retired in August 2024 after 43 years with Stuller, while Busby retired in December 2024 after 41 years.
The lifetime achievement award is not presented annually, and is instead given to recognize exceptional industry leaders “when the timing is right,” said TJS.
Previous honorees include gold technical expert Dr. Christopher Corti, who was honored in 2025, and SFS founder Eddie Bell in 2023.
Lifetime achievement award winners receive a commemorative plaque and a free, full-access pass to TJS' annual symposium for life.
For more information about TJS, visit its website, or email Jessa Cast at jessa@thejewelrysymposium.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
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.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 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.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
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.
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.
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.
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.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
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.
