ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
EditorsMar 03, 2009
Penny Proddow's Death
A very bad day yesterday, when I learned that Penny Proddow, jewelry editor for InStyle, lost her battle with ovarian cancer. I'm looking at two small sketches that rest on the base of my computer monitor. Three saguaro cactuses tower...
A very bad day yesterday, when I learned that Penny Proddow, jewelry editor for InStyle, lost her battle with ovarian cancer.
I'm looking at two small sketches that rest on the base of my computer monitor. Three saguaro cactuses tower in the foreground of one, placed in context by a violet mountain and cerulean sky. In the second, a long, deep purple ridgeline looms over a solitary mesquite dignifying the scrublands.Penny gave these to me when I ran across her at breakfast during the Tucson gem shows last year. At her table in the hotel buffet, she was doing two of the things she loved best, drawing and planning the day with her inseparable friend and colleague, Marion Fasel, who together with Penny constitutes the respected jewelry editorial staff at Instyle.
Penny loved the fine arts in a unpretentious way that I've seldom experienced in my life. She loved art for art's sake, whether teaching at the Met, which she did for years, or putting life's daily occurrences into context with a quote from classical literature or ballet. Because of who she was, it never seemed affected. Instead, it always raised the wonderful, incredible possibility that some people do care about the more important things in life.
I had met Penny many times through our work in jewelry. But I got to know her best a bit over a year ago when we traveled in a group to South Africa and Botswana with De Beers. I quickly got to enjoying teasing her about things like being the only person able to look perfectly assembled in the middle of a Land Rover safari trek. Penny had a great sense of humor to go with her modesty and fashion sense.
The next time I saw her after our trip, a number of us got together for lunch to reminisce. Penny arrived wearing a necklace of interconnected wire "elephants" that she had fashioned based on sketches she had drawn in Africa. I loved them, so of course she immediately unlinked four of them to give to each member of my family. We still have them hanging from the chandelier in the breakfast room. My sons love them.
What a very sad thing to lose such a great person. I've been watching Lance Armstrong's return to professional cycling, which he started by racing first a month ago in Australia then a week ago in the Tour of
California. Before his retirement three years ago, Armstrong set a record for winning the world's greatest bike race that will never be surpassed, having won the Tour de France seven consecutive times. But his return, he says, is mostly about expanding the reach of his Livestrong efforts to fight cancer and spread awareness and support.
Work like his and, in our business, that being done by groups like the Jewelers for Children, make so much more sense to me as I experience terrible things like the loss of Penny Proddow.
Most of all, right now, we'll miss Penny. I hope she's in a place as beautiful as her sketches.
Work like his and, in our business, that being done by groups like the Jewelers for Children, make so much more sense to me as I experience terrible things like the loss of Penny Proddow.
Most of all, right now, we'll miss Penny. I hope she's in a place as beautiful as her sketches.
The Latest
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
