Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
MajorsJun 15, 2014
WJA announces 2014 Hall of Fame honorees
The Women’s Jewelry Association will honor the American Gem Society’s Ruth Batson, David Bonaparte of Jewelers of America and the Richline Group at its 2014 Awards for Excellence gala.
WJA will honor Ruth Batson, left, with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and David Bonaparte, right, with the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award.
New York--The Women’s Jewelry Association will honor the American Gem Society’s Ruth Batson, David Bonaparte of Jewelers of America and the Richline Group at its 2014 Awards for Excellence gala.
Ruth Batson, executive director and CEO of the AGS and AGS Laboratories, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. She has been with the organization since 1993 and played a large part in the design and construction of the Robert M. Shipley AGS complex in Las Vegas as well as the development of the AGS Laboratories.
Batson also currently serves as the chair of board for Jewelers for Children and is on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, WJA, and the JCK show advisory board. She also is a member of the executive committee for the Responsible Jewellery Council.
“The leadership of women in the jewelry industry is of tremendous importance,” Batson said. “I am happy to accept this award as a symbol of our achievements.”
David Bonaparte, president and CEO of JA, will receive the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring an industry male who has demonstrated a deep commitment to the advancement of women in the industry.
He has dedicated himself to the association’s mission of improving consumer confidence in jewelry purchases and helping members maintain high social, environmental and ethical practices, WJA said.
He also currently serves on the boards of the RJC, Jewelers’ Security Alliance, and JFC.
Bonaparte previously served as senior vice president for the JCK portfolio of products at the JCK Shows and was the global leader for the jewelry portfolio at Reed Exhibitions.
“It has been my distinct honor to work collaboratively with so many women executives at Jewelers of America and JCK, and I continue to be committed to the careers of women in our industry,” Bonaparte said. “As such, I am honored to accept this award.”
Lastly, Richline Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., will receive the Corporate Award. The company provides financial, operational, and marketing support to each of its four independent strategic business units--LeachGarner, Richline Brands, Rio Grande, and Inverness—and strictly adheres to responsible sourcing, oversight, and compliance, WJA said.
“WJA congratulates these three deserving recipients,” said President Andrea Hansen. “We are poised at a moment of transition for our industry, and our three honorees work daily to meet the challenges of understanding new consumer habits and adapting their practices to thrive
in the 21st century. Their commitment to women’s roles in these tasks has been extremely important to the advancement of women’s careers in the jewelry industry.”
The Awards for Excellence gala will take Monday, July 28, at Chelsea Piers in New York City, the evening following the second day of the JA New York Summer show.
At the event, WJA also will present Awards for Excellence in retail, design, manufacturing/supplier, sales, marketing and communications, editorial/reporting/publishing, and special services. Nominees for these categories will be announced shortly.
Information on tickets or sponsorships for the event can be found here.
More on Majors
The Latest
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
