TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsJan 11, 2021
JVC Event Unveils Secret Hobbies of Jewelry Industry Execs
From GIA’s Susan Jacques love of motorcycles to Greg Kwiat’s cover band, here are some things you may not have known about familiar industry faces.
The Jewelers Vigilance Committee held its annual luncheon virtually last week, inviting industry executives to share how they spend their free time.
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee held its annual luncheon virtually last Thursday.
The event kicked off with Charles Stanley of Forevermark presenting the Stanley Schechter Award to John Kennedy, president of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, “in recognition of his tireless dedication, hard work and support of JVC’s mission to maintain ethics and integrity through legal compliance.”
Kennedy looked back on his connection to the late Stanley Schechter and his family as well as the link between JVC and JSA.
“We’re both protecting the industry,” said Kennedy. “Both are absolutely essential for the long-term health of the industry.”
Five industry leaders and JVC board directors—Charles Stanley of Forevermark, Susan Jacques of GIA, Greg Kwiat of Kwiat and Fred Leighton, Nathalie Diamantis of Pomellato, and Dave Bindra of B&B Fine Gems—shared some personal anecdotes in lieu of the typical in-person luncheon agenda.
Here’s how the five industry executives spend their free time.
Charles Stanley, Beekeeper Extraordinaire
Stanley’s beekeeping began when he was a child.
He inherited the hobby from his grandmother, who kept bees on her estate in England.
He showed off his beekeeping equipment and talked about the life of a worker bee and shared other fun facts.
His breakout session included how to conduct a hive inspection and how to properly introduce a queen bee to the colony.
Susan Jacques, Motorcycle Enthusiast
“I’m not a biker chick or a Harley babe,” clarified Jacques, though she does have an affinity for the open road.
She enjoys riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle or being behind the wheel of an ATV.
Jacques and her family have traveled to the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota to meet with other bikers and share in the fun.
The exposure to nature is the highlight of her rides.
At the family farm in Nebraska, where wildflowers grow and their golden retriever Buddy runs free, 160 acres have been set aside as a pheasant reserve.
Greg Kwiat, Cover Band Super Star
When Kwiat isn’t leading his eponymous company, he moonlights as the lead singer of a Beatles and The Rolling Stones cover band.
He shared clips of his band performing “Come Together” by the Beatles and “Sympathy for the Devil,” by The Rolling Stones.
He, on occasion, also performs in the shower and behind the wheel of his car.
Kwiat once met Mick Jagger in a professional setting but
couldn’t bring himself to share his hobby.
In his breakout session, he put on a live performance for the event’s attendees.
Nathalie Diamantis, Wine and Travel Enthusiast
Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area to European-American parents was the perfect blend for Diamantis.
A full-fledged wine connoisseur, she shared some of her favorites and some of Italy’s best regions for winemaking.
She compared hand making a watch to a single-vineyard wine, both crafted with love and precision.
When she’s not recommending wine to her friends, Diamantis is on the road.
“Nothing is more exciting than packing a suitcase.”
Dave Bindra, Sneakerhead Savant
Bindra meticulously laid out several of his favorite pairs of sneakers on a table, cradling each like precious cargo as he held them up to the camera.
He’s been collecting sneakers for about 20 years, starting with a highly-coveted pair of Tiffany blue (unofficial) and black Nike SB Dunk Low sneakers, designed in collaboration with Diamond Supply Co.
RELATED CONTENT: The Next Generation: David Bindra of B & B Fine Gems
He held up a pair of black and red Air Jordan 1s, the original 1985 colors, and delved into the history of Michael Jordan and these particular shoes.
“These shoes changed the scope of fashion and sneakers forever,” said Bindra.
Wearing a Kobe Bryant t-shirt, Bindra also showed off a pair of ‘Draft Day’ Kobe Nike sneakers.
“It’s a lot like making jewelry,” said Bindra, noting all the options for colors and material as well as the attention to detail, from glow-in-the-dark soles to double Nike “swooshes.”
On his Instagram, @gemfluencer, Bindra matches B&B’s gemstones to shoes in his collection.
Asked to choose between shoes and watches, timepieces still held the top spot.
Always with an eye for detail, Bindra matched his Rolex GMT-Master 1675 with a pair of “True Blue” Air Jordans.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
MajorsFeb 18, 2026
Select Jewelry Inks Agreement to Distribute Lightweight Gold JewelryIt will lead distribution in North America for Graziella Braccialini's new gold pieces, which it said are 50 percent lighter.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
