From tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
Appointments: Tourneau names new CEO
Ira Melnitsky has been appointed CEO of Tourneau, succeeding James Seuss who left the company last year to serve as CEO and global president of Hunter Boots.
New York--Ira Melnitsky has been appointed CEO of Tourneau, succeeding James Seuss who left the company last year to serve as CEO and global president of Hunter Boots.
His appointment is effective Oct. 16.
Melnitsky most recently served as president of LF USA’s home and better handbag division. Prior to that, he was president and chief merchandising officer at members-only discount e-tailer Rue La La and also served as executive vice president of sales and merchandising at Tumi and Ferragamo USA.
Melnitksy’s first position was as an accessories buyer for Lord & Taylor.
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) recently elected a president and seven directors to its 2014 board.
They are Ruben Bindra of B&B Fine Gems Inc., who will serve as president; Pramod Agrawal of Shanu Gems Inc.; Bill Heher of Rare Earth Mining Co. Inc.; Gina Latendresse of American Pearl Company Inc.; Gerry Manning of Manning International; Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems Inc.; Simon Watt of Mayer & Watt; and Larry Woods of Jewels from the Woods.
They will begin their terms immediately following the 2014 AGTA GemFair Tucson board meeting.
Adam Bernhard has stepped down from the role of CEO of HauteLook, a flash-sale site owned by Nordstrom Inc. As founder of the site, he will continue with the company in an advisory capacity.
No replacement for the CEO position will be sought, Nordstrom said, as HauteLook President Terry Boyle will lead the business.
Boyle began his career with HauteLook in 2008 as chief operating officer and chief financial officer and has led the business through significant growth, Nordstrom said.
Adam Gurian is the new executive vice president of global sales at Frederick Goldman Inc.
Gurian joins the company after 17 years at the Timex Group, where he most recently served as president of the Timex Business Unit. Prior to that, he held various sales, brand management and operational roles within the company.
He also held merchant positions at Macy’s and May Company.
Jennifer Treese Wilson is now corporate counsel at the Gemological Institute of America, where she initially will support the organization’s global education programs.
Wilson has more than 15 years of experience in the international nonprofit education sector, including 14 years with Alliant International University, most recently serving as vice president for administration and general counsel.
She also has more than 10 years of experience as an associate and
Jewelry brand Marina B announced the appointment of two executives, Catherine Bové to president and Mona Nagib as director of sales.
As president, Bové will oversee the day-to-day operations of Marina B as well as retail expansion, branding and communication. Her priorities will include accelerating wholesale growth, opening new retail locations and leveraging the brand’s heritage and international reputation as a “jeweler to the stars.”
She will be based in New York and report to Marina B CEO Paul Lubetsky.
Bové most recently served as director of retail at Chopard USA. Prior to that, she worked under Marina Bulgari as director from 1996 to 2000, and also has held positions at Bulgari, Chanel Fine Jewelry and David Yurman.
Nagib is re-joining Marina B after beginning her career there in 1999. She last served as a consultant for various international, contemporary and antique luxury jewelry companies, and has also designed bespoke pieces for private jewelry collectors.
Lubetsky, owner and CEO of Windsor Jewelers Inc., a seller of estate, antique and closeout jewelry, acquired the Marina B brand in 2010.
The Latest

The “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.

The chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”

Launched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.

The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.


Any gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.

The Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.

In his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.

The index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.

The new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.

The brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.

The collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.

The initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.

The new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.

Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.

Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.

The new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.

The jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.

The new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.

Family-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.

The Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.

Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.

Ella Blum was appointed to the newly created role.

Sponsored by RapNet

Investment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.























