CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
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.
More on Editors
The Latest
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
Weekly QuizOct 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
SurveysOct 01, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits 5-Month Low in September Respondents were concerned about job availability and rising prices.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
SourcingOct 01, 2025
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Falls 47%Its latest interim financials revealed a challenging first half due in part to production troubles at its mines.
MajorsSep 30, 2025
Pandora CEO to Retire in 2026, Hand Reins to CMO Alexander Lacik has led Pandora since 2019. Berta de Pablos-Barbier will succeed him, the first woman to head the company.
CrimeSep 30, 2025
2 Suspects Charged in $300K Sleight-of-Hand Jewelry Store ScamTwo men allegedly used counterfeit bills to purchase luxury watches and jewelry from a North Carolina jeweler.
CollectionsSep 30, 2025
Billie Eilish, Finneas Partner with John HardyThe “Lovestruck” collection, designed with the Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings, is the brand’s first lab-grown diamond offering.
IndependentsSep 30, 2025
Spinelli Kilcollin Announces Residency in DallasThe brand, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has popped up at Market, a luxury fashion destination in Highland Park Village.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Nina Pugliese, Longtime Henne Jewelers Employee, Dies at 65She was remembered as a creative and generous woman of faith, who also had a sweet tooth.
TrendsSep 29, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Ear FocusMove over neck mess, the ear story is the way to make a layering statement today.
IndependentsSep 29, 2025
Mark Henry Jewelry to Debut in CanadaThe New York-based brand is set to launch a limited-time offering for the holiday season at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.
MajorsSep 29, 2025
Overnight Releases New Bridal CatalogThe “Volume 7” bridal catalog features best-selling engagement rings, trending styles, and a new section highlighting anniversary bands.
SurveysSep 26, 2025
Online Shopping, Influencers to Drive Holiday Spending, Mastercard SaysHoliday sales growth is expected to slow as consumers grapple with inflation and tariff-related uncertainty.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2025
Winners of Austin Jewelry Design Contest Announced Jamie Turner Designs is among the winners of the local “Austin Shines” contest, hosted by Eliza Page, a jewelry store in Austin, Texas.
TrendsSep 26, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kwit Jewelry’s Square Signet Pinky RingThe red and azure colorway is one of many fun enamel pairings offered, bringing whimsy to the classic style of a monogramed signet ring.
Policies & IssuesSep 25, 2025
JA CEO Provides Tariff Update Following Annual Fly-InA trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.
SourcingSep 25, 2025
2 African Countries Aim to Take Stake in De Beers Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2025
Kira Jewels Expands Lab-Grown Diamond ProductionThe manufacturer is adding 1,400 chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactors to its growing facility in India.
IndependentsSep 25, 2025
Alex Moss’ New Flagship Brings Bold Jewels to SoHoThe jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.
WatchesSep 25, 2025
Wilson & Son Jewelers Donates to the Horological Society of New YorkThe Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into DisarrayThe 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in IndiaDe Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
