From a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
5 inducted into 24 Karat Club SEUS
National Jeweler Publisher Matthew Tratner was one of five individuals inducted into the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States at an event held Saturday just outside Atlanta.

Marietta, Ga.--National Jeweler Publisher Matthew Tratner, Joe Carullo, Shelley Schulz, Gary Wesdorp and Deirdre Hanrahan are the newest members of the 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States.
The five were inducted Saturday during at event held at the Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, Ga., which also included the presentation of the 2015 Robert Foreman Award to Mary Jane Smirh from Gary K Jewelers in Madison, Ala. and the Jeweler of the Year Award to Hayes Jewelers in Mobile, Ala.
The event was held in the midst of the Atlanta Jewelry Show, which took place Saturday through Monday at the Cobb Galleria Centre.
Tratner, who was named publisher of National Jeweler in May, also is the director of membership and sales for Jewelers of America, a position he has held for the past two years. Prior to that, Tratner was the chief operating officer for online retailer GemsAround.com and also served as the director of sales at Maya J Diamond Jewelry.
Carullo is the vice president of marketing and sales for New York-based fashion diamond jewelry manufacturer KC Designs, which he runs alongside his longtime business partner and friend, Lenny Krol.
Schulz is the marketing lead for luxury markets at Synchrony Financial (formerly GE Capital Retail Finance), a position she has held for the past nine years. Prior to that, Schulz held a number of different positions with GE Capital.
Wesdorp, meanwhile, is the president and chief financial officer of Erlanger, Ky.-based Jewel-Craft Inc., a jewelry manufacturing and repair facility that he runs with his brother Benet, also a company president and the chief operating officer.
Hanrahan is the president and chief designer at What’s Your Sign? Jewelry, a line of sterling silver, 14- and 18-karat gold jewelry with designs, including the zodiac symbols, “inspired by the energy of the cosmos.”
Members of the jewelry industry are chosen for induction into the 24 Karat Club Southeastern United States, which represents the supplier side of the business, for their accomplishments in the jewelry industry as well as their personal and civic contributions.
This year marked the organization’s 40th anniversary.
The Latest

Groundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.

Sponsored by GCAL by Sarine

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

From shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.


The designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.

Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

The lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.

A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.

New collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.

The citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.

Lanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.

A replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.

Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.

To enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.

The grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.

The winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

The jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.

Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.






















