MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
CrimeMay 15, 2018
Former Lawmaker Found Guilty of Murdering Alaska Jeweler
A jury convicted Mark DeSimone of first-degree murder in the death of Tony Rosales, the bench jeweler at The Jewel Box in Juneau.
Juneau, Alaska--A jury in Juneau, Alaska, has found a former Arizona state legislator guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 34-year-old jeweler Duilio Antonio Rosales.
Rosales, who came to Alaska from Nicaragua in 2011, worked as the bench jeweler at Juneau jewelry store The Jewel Box and was known in the community as Tony.
He was murdered in May 2016 while on a hunting trip.
According to an account of the trial from the Juneau Empire, neither the defense nor the prosecution denied that it was Mark DeSimone who shot Rosales outside a cabin at Excursion Inlet.
What was debated during the nearly three-week-long trial was intent.
DeSimone’s attorney, Assistant Public Attorney Deborah Macaulay, portrayed the death as accidental, arguing that the firearm used in the shooting was old and faulty, and decrying the prosecution’s inability to provide a solid motive for DeSimone to intentionally murder Rosales, a man he barely knew.
DeSimone knew the owners of The Jewel Box, Bill and Sherry Young, and had moved back to Alaska from Arizona just before the May 2016 shooting.
Bill Young had organized the hunting trip that both men were on.
But, the Empire reported, Assistant District Attorney Amy Paige argued that jurors should not consider motive but instead intent and actions. She also pointed to the improbability of firing a gun 18 inches from a person’s head twice on accident.
The jury sided with the prosecution, finding the 55-year-old DeSimone guilty of first-degree murder over lesser charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
After Rosales’ murder, a family friend set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to fly Rosales’ body back to his native Nicaragua for the funeral. A little over $13,000 was raised, and the fund has since closed.
Morgan Cruz, whose husband Vladimir Cruz grew up with Rosales in Nicaragua, told National Jeweler back in 2016 that Rosales came from a family of jewelers in Nicaragua. He found his job at The Jewel Box shortly after moving to Alaska and never left.
“The community loved him,” Cruz said. “He was known in Juneau. (The Jewel Box) is the only jewelry store open all year ‘round, except for Fred Meyer. The rest are tourist jewelry stores.”
The Jewel Box closed in 2017.
According to testimony during the trial,
Bill Young said Rosales was “like a son” to him. He wanted to get out of the jewelry business and talked about letting Rosales take over the store but ended up shutting it down after his death.
DeSimone’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12. He faces a maximum of 99 years in prison.
DeSimone’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12. He faces a maximum of 99 years in prison.
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
