CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsFeb 11, 2014
Appointments: Freeman’s, Fruchtman Marketing, more
Freeman’s Auctioneers has named Michael Larsen as the head of the Fine Jewelry & Watches department.
New York--Freeman’s Auctioneers has named Michael Larsen as the head of the Fine Jewelry & Watches department.
Larsen has more than 20 years of experience in the jewelry industry, including expertise in appraising, manufacturing and custom design as well as an extensive understanding of watches and timepieces. Prior to joining Freeman’s, he served as the senior jewelry specialist at Bonhams in Los Angeles for more than 10 years.
He is also a graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and was awarded the certified gemologist appraiser title from the American Gemological Society.
Larsen will be working out of Freeman’s Philadelphia and Los Angeles offices.
Fruchtman Marketing has hired Dustyn Evearitt as account coordinator. Evearitt most recently served as marketing manager for the Automobile Racing Club of America, where he developed and implemented sales, advertising, promotional and marketing plans.
Evearitt is a graduate of the University of Toledo with a degree in business administration.
Concurrent with the new hire, Fruchtman has promoted Lindsay Bernsdorff to senior account coordinator and movedMallory Lee to the company’s digital department, where she will serve as the new digital account coordinator.
De Beers has made three new appointments to its executive committee--Paul Rowley, executive vice president of global sightholder sales; Neil Ventura, executive vice president of auction sales; and Balisi Bonyongo, CEO of Debswana. All three appointments are effective immediately.
Rowley just took over the executive vice president role from Varda Shine, who left the company at the end of January after 30 years with De Beers. Rowley joined De Beers in 1983, filling a number of senior positions at the company, including serving on both the DTC Botswana and Namibia DTC boards as well as acting CEO of DTC Botswana prior to his current role.
RELATED CONTENT: Varda Shine leaving De Beers
Ventura, meanwhile, joined De Beers in 1989 and since taking his current position has established De Beers as a market leader in the sale of rough diamonds to small, mid-size and large manufacturing, retailing and trading businesses via online auctions.
Bonyongo started at Debswana in 1993 as a junior plant metallurgist and has since held several senior positions, including corporate strategy manager before assuming the role of general manager at the Jwaneng processing plant and later chief operating officer of Debswana.
The Gemological Institute of America has selected Dr. Karen Smit as the first associate in the Richard T. Liddicoat Postdoctoral Research program. Smit began her tenure at the New York laboratory on Feb. 3.
She received her doctorate in the Diamond Research Group at the University of Alberta in Canada, and has gained experience using geochemical and isotopic techniques to research the origin of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle and its diamonds. She also has experience working in field mapping in Greenland and as a geologist in Tanzania.
The research position is named in honor of the GIA’s former president Richard T. Liddicoat, widely known as the “father of modern gemology.” Participants will examine issues related to diamonds, colored stones, pearls and instrument development. Each position will be tailored to focus on the associate’s expertise and interest.
Christie’s continues its development in Asia with five senior appointments. Eric Chang has been named as deputy chairman of Asian 20th century and contemporary art; Ben Kong will be deputy chairman of Chinese paintings; Vickie Sek was named deputy chairman of jewelry and jadeite; Jinqing Cai has been named president of Christie’s China; and Rebecca Wei will be President of Christie’s Asia (excluding China).
Aurouet de Mervelec S.A.S. and Gem Lab Services have achieved certification from the Responsible Jewellery Council for meeting the ethical, human rights, social and environmental standards as established by the council’s member certification system.
The Latest
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
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.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
